Tour of Telemark on Gravel
Telemark is a Norway in miniature: mountains and coastline, charming towns and magnificent nature, peace and tranquillity – and a wealth of experiences.
You can experience all of this with us on this first tour, where we lay the foundation for a new and exciting tour for Pedal People.
On this tour, you get it all – and moreover from a fine combination of gravel and asphalt roads. Approximately 40% of the route is on gravel, narrow paths and wide forest roads – and there is a great deal to see and experience along the way.
The total distance of the tour is approximately 470 kilometres. Five days of cycling with daily distances ranging from around 60 to around 120 kilometres. Quite manageable for everyone – even though there are, of course, some elevation gains.
The routes consist of a mix of asphalt and gravel roads. Almost everything can be cycled, but there is one section of approximately 2 km on the stage between Skien and Notodden where the bikes must be pushed, and where we recommend that you bring an extra pair of shoes. Please see the route description for further details.
The tour can be completed on both gravel bikes and mountain bikes. Read more under “Practical Information”.
This is a first-edition tour, where the routes have been ridden in advance, but where it may be necessary to make minor adjustments along the way. The price has therefore been set accordingly.
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Departure dates 2026
Tuesday, August 4th - saturday, august 8th 2026
Telemark is a Norway in miniature: mountains and coastline, charming towns and magnificent nature, peace and tranquillity – and a wealth of experiences.
Price per person
In shared double room: 1.350,- EUR
Optional Extras
Single room during the tour: 300,- EUR
Gallery
Programme
Day 0
If you are travelling from afar, you may arrive in Skien already today.
In the evening, we will hold a short information meeting about the tour for those who have arrived.
Day 1
Today’s route is approximately 92 km with around 1,400 metres of elevation gain
We begin with a joint gathering and briefing about the tour for everyone. We then load the luggage into the support vehicle and prepare for departure.
We set course directly north through the centre of Skien and head towards Luksefjell.
From here, we continue on gravel roads along the Bestulelven river, passing Finnvollen until the gravel road ends. This section is slightly more undulating uphill – exciting terrain and beautiful nature.
After Finnvollen, we must walk and push the bikes through a small forest area, following an old Viking-age path for approximately 2 km. Bring, for example, running shoes – the path can be damp.
After passing through the forest area, we change back into cycling shoes and continue the ride. We cycle through varied landscapes and, at one point, follow the main road E134 for a short distance. It is not particularly busy, and the sense of being out cycling in nature is unique when we once again turn away from the main road.
The area is extremely popular for hiking, which is easy to understand. It is a fascinating landscape that we ride through on our way towards Notodden, which is today’s destination.
Day 2
Today’s route is approximately 84 km with around 2,000 metres of elevation gain
Today we head for the mountains! We climb into higher terrain and finish the day at the foot of Gaustatoppen – the highest mountain in Southern Norway.
From Notodden, we cycle along the Heddøla river on what is known as Folkestien, which is particularly beautiful to ride. We make a short detour to Heddal Stave Church – Norway’s largest stave church, built in the 13th century and still in active use.
Later, we pass Omnesfossen by Heddal Mill, where the power of the water is truly impressive.
We continue steadily uphill, with Gaustatoppen as the major landmark of the day. The longest climb takes us up to approximately 1,250 metres above sea level, after which it descends slightly until we reach today’s accommodation.
Day 3
Today’s route is approximately 61 km with around 1,150 metres of elevation gain
Today we cycle through historic landscapes. The heavy-water plant in Rjukan was of great importance to the Germans during the Second World War and was subjected to sabotage. Several films have been made about this operation.
We start with a long descent towards Rjukan and, of course, have time to look around the charming town.
From Rjukan, we climb up the mountainside via Kraftvegen. Alternatively, we may choose to take the Krossobanen cable car to the top, saving some leg strength.
Once at the top, it is time to enjoy the view before continuing into the beautiful, undulating terrain towards Lake Skardsfoss, where we cross the dam.
The next large lake is Møsvatn, where we make a stop at the Hardangervidda National Park Centre.
Shortly afterwards, we arrive in Rauland, which is today’s destination. From here, we can enjoy a magnificent view over Hardangervidda.
Day 4
Today’s stage is approximately 110 km with around 1,500 metres of elevation gain
The climbing of the previous days rewards us today with several downhill sections – something to look forward to.
We begin along Longvikvantnet on a lightly trafficked road towards Åmot, where we enter the day’s first gravel road towards Ravnjuvet, offering a stunning view.
After Ravnjuvet, there are some excellent descents before we finally reach the town of Dalen at the end of Lake Bandak. Dalen Hotel is an obvious spot for a photo stop.
From Lake Bandak, we climb towards Krossli. This is a fine ascent that winds beautifully uphill for approximately 3.5 km, with an average gradient of around 6.5%.
Along the way, there are several places to stop and enjoy magnificent views over Bandak, which lies beautifully nestled between steep mountain sides.
We now approach Vrådal, today’s destination. The final kilometres towards the hotel take us past Vrådal Ski Centre and the Vrådal locks, and perhaps it is an idea to round off the day with a swim in Lake Nisser, which lies just below the hotel.
Day 5
Today’s stage is approximately 119 km with around 1,700 metres of elevation gain
Soon we have cycled Telemark Rundt.
From Vrådal, we follow National Cycle Route No. 2 back to Skien. The day begins with a climb of approximately 2 km before we descend the spectacular Kviteseidkleivene.
From here, the terrain is undulating and exciting – not least when we reach the locks and the Telemark Canal, which leads us into Lunde and onwards.
After Lunde, we enter a gravel road that takes us to the Vrangfoss and Eidsfoss locks and onwards to Ulefoss. A beautiful cycling landscape with plenty of photo opportunities.
After an eventful day on the bike, we arrive in Skien, having completed Telemark Rundt by bicycle.
It is possible to stay overnight at Clarion Hotel Bryggeparken in Skien after the tour. Here, we will of course celebrate that we have now cycled Telemark Rundt.
Practical Information
Included
- Four nights’ accommodation in shared double rooms
- Lunch and dinner at the hotels during the tour (drinks at own expense)
- Lunch from the support vehicle during the cycling stages*
- Energy drink, fruit, etc. from the support vehicle during the cycling stages
- Cycling tour leader
- Service team
- Support vehicle
- Travel Guarantee Fund
* Lunch may either consist of a packed lunch prepared from the breakfast buffet or food that we bring in the support vehicle.
Price per Person: 1.350,- EUR
Optional Extras:
Single room during the tour: 300,- EUR
Extra night in Skien:
Monday 3 August (Price per person per night)
95,- EUR in shared double room
160,- EUR in single room
Extra night in Skien:
Saturday 8 August (Price per person per night)
110,- EUR in shared double room
175,- EUR in single room
Cycling
The tour is a group tour, but it is entirely possible to cycle individually. We do not ride in a peloton, but keep a good distance from one another along the way. The cycling tour leader ensures that everyone is included.
If you prefer to ride individually or in a smaller group, you may bring a cycle computer and have the routes uploaded. You can also receive the route marked on a map. You will, of course, receive a phone number for contacting the tour leader. Your luggage will still be waiting for you when you arrive at the hotel – and your time during the day is your own.
The tour is designed for gravel bikes and mountain bikes. It is not recommended to participate on a road bike. The route consists of approximately 60% asphalt and 40% gravel/path. Almost everything can be cycled, but in some places it may be necessary to dismount and push the bike. On the stage between Skien and Notodden, there is a section of approximately 2 km where the bike must be pushed, and we recommend bringing an extra pair of shoes so you do not have to walk in cycling shoes, as they are slippery and may get wet. We also recommend bringing loose leg warmers or a pair of overtrousers to protect your legs.
We recommend that everyone cycles with a small backpack for essentials, an extra inner tube, extra water, etc.
We depart together from the hotels each day. The tour leader provides instructions regarding the route, and all stages will also be made available digitally for download by the participants.
The support vehicle provides lunch, either in the form of packed lunches prepared from the hotel breakfast buffet or food carried in the vehicle. The vehicle cannot follow the cyclists continuously but meets the group at selected locations along the route.
Occasionally, we pass cafés, ice-cream kiosks, etc., where it is natural to stop.
Expectations of Participants:
- You arrive well prepared – both personally (with a reasonable level of training) and with a well-maintained bicycle
- You are accustomed to cycling and comfortable with elevation gain and longer distances
- You follow the instructions of the tour leader
- You look forward to meeting new cycling companions and contributing to the social atmosphere
It is important to emphasise that we do not ride against the clock, nor is there anything to be gained by arriving at the hotel first. The focus is on the overall experience and the camaraderie between cyclists.
This first tour is a test tour, where we are testing both the concept and the experience of riding a gravel tour as a group. The route has been ridden and tested in advance, but minor adjustments may be necessary along the way. The price has been set with this in mind.
Hotels
During the tour, we stay at good hotels with half board.
Accommodation is in double rooms, but it is also possible to book a single room. If you are travelling alone and wish to stay in a double room, you will be accommodated with a participant of the same gender.
If it is not possible to accommodate you with someone of the same gender, you will instead be accommodated in a single room and pay the corresponding supplement.
Dinner is served at the hotels, and you can look forward to enjoyable culinary experiences. Drinks with dinner are at your own expense.
Equipment and Luggage
Your bicycle must, of course, be prepared for the tour and be well maintained. We bring a toolbox and a selection of the most common spare parts. Spare parts are charged according to use. We bring inner tubes with 60 mm valves for gravel bikes and inner tubes suitable for 2.1–29” tyres for mountain bikes. Corresponding tyres are also carried. If you require other dimensions, you must bring these yourself.
Important: please bring extra brake pads and a derailleur hanger specific to your bike and brakes.
Before the tour, you will receive a suggested packing list.
Your luggage is packed in a sports bag and transported by the support vehicle to the next hotel. In addition to the sports bag, you should bring a smaller bag for the support vehicle containing items you may need during the day. You should also bring a small backpack that you can cycle with. You will receive further information about this together with the packing list.
