Text/Photo/Video: Simen Berg Mountain bike flow trails are booming in Norway these days. Serving as a supplement to the world class natural single tracks all over the place, Hemsedal’s lift served Silverstone flow trail is my favorite. Because it is well built and offers a vast number of enormous berms and hits to get some air. You will also find a few table tops.
This video was filmed in October 2021 to show what the trail is about for those who wonder what level of riding skills it requires (big shout out to front rider Martin Ellingsen). As you probably can tell, you’ll be fine on a hard tail, or even on a hybrid without suspension (until the brake bumps get worse). I wouldn’t recommend bringing the youngest kids, as you need some speed for a few big elements. Rekkje Stiutvikling spent 2021 repairing questionable build quality from the 2020 crew, and finalising the entertaining lower part of the trail. There are still a few berms missing in the “skicrossløypa” area, they are good to go in 2022. EDIT: In 2022 the Silverstone trail got completed.
Hemsedal Bike Park Sentrumsstien film 2023
Built by Rekkje Stiutvikling, probably the best red machine built trail in Norway. “Fun fact” – the run in this video is currently (September ’23) the second fastest on the Strava segment.
Hemsedal Bike Park: Broadway and High Line (2022)
Trailhead Nesbyen built a trail (Broadway) that is green to where the former photo op creek/waterfall on top of Djeveldalen is covered up with a massive hut. From there it continues with the blue High Line. It opened in September and starts from the top of the lift.
Restaurants for food and drinks when biking in Hemsedal On top of the lift, you have Fjellkafeen, and down the trail, you can stop by Skigaarden (the best pizza). In Hemsedal, I recommend Elmas Handel for coffe and sweet cakes, the best burgers are served at Kroken.
Additional bike trails in Hemsedal By Fyri Hotel, you find short green/blue/red trails at “Tottelia Rides” well suited for kids and beginners to do laps. From late fall in 2022 you could ride the jump line that is the finishing stretch of the red machine built trail from the top that opens in 2023. In general, natural trails in Hemsedal are rough and red+ marked. With an exception of the Karisetberget trail. For smoother riding, leave the valley and go to Kjølen at Lykkja or Golsfjellet and the plateau over towards Ål. Look it all up on Trailguide.net
Hemsedal bike rental I recommend renting a bike from MOH Sport in Hemsedal. They have all sorts of bikes. Electrical Specialized Turbo Levo bikes are awesome for self shuttling when the lift isn’t running.
Hallingdal Rides Hemsedal is part of the Hallingdal Rides initiative, established to promote and build/maintain trails in the region, including Geilo, Ål, Gol, Golsfjellet, Nesbyen, Turufjell, Flå, and Høgevarde.
Already in their first year of operation (2015), Trysil is the number one place for singletrack mountainbiking on all levels in Scandinavia. Hopefully the leading star that will inspire the rest of the destinations around.
In developing and designing an MTB product from scratch, Trysil does it by the book. And they need to. By 2020 they want to grow the number of summer visits (overnight stays) from 70 000 to 200 000.
Trysil Bike Arena aims at the singletrack mountainbikers, and already offers a well designed skills course and a green/blue 10 km trail in the Gullia. Add to that the typical Norwegian network of natural trails that are looked after, easy to find because of the signs and already on the Bike Trail Map. Not to mention biker friendly accommodation and excellent guides who also teach skills on the way. And there it is – Scandinavias leading mountainbike resort.
Downhill biking in Trysil? Not yet.
For now, the lift runs on Saturday and Sunday. But the downhill trails aren’t worth going there for. At this time. Already this fall (2015), they will start building a blue flow trail aimed at trail bikes. When opening in 2016, it will be an important addition to the red, handbuilt trail that is there now. The 26/28 trail might be OK for some beginners, but experienced riders will not be doing laps there. Sometime in the future there will be more challenging lift served trails, but it’s not a priority. For now, Sälen/Lindvallen and Gesundaberget and Hafjell are the nearest options for big bikes right now.
Heaven for trail biking beginners
The Gullia area opened in June 2015, with the blue trail. The green start of it is not yet ready, but will be shortly. The machine built flow trail is wide, with a gravel top layer. Winding through the landscape like a rollercoaster, this is fun on any mountainbike, at any age, and at any skill level. And suspension is not required at all.
Sweet Dreams is the favorite section, with no pedalling needed. Even the following climb is fun. This area will see more trails in the future.
Natural beauty
Like anywhere in Norway, there’s also a vast number of natural trails around Trysil. And it varies from Elvestien and Pilegrimsleden on the valley floor, to steeper runs like Grimsåsen, Fugleberget and Ørådalen, and up above the tree line from the top of the lift or starting from Fageråsen to do the Trysilrypa trail.
To have a full day on easy trails, you can go by car across the Swedish border to Rörbäcksnäs.
Where to eat in Trysil in summer
As most other things, even eating happens at Radisson Blu Resort Trysil. In addition to the good Italian pizza, they have an a la carte restaurant. On the Trysil main street, I would recommend Cafe Rialto for a double cortado and whatever you need for the next trail.
Where to stay in Trysil in summer
In my opinion, Radisson Blu Resort Trysil is Norway’s best year round resort hotel for active people. By far. Great location, nice rooms, good food, a variety of activities, like pools, indoor surfwave (video below) and bowling. They offer spa treatments and have a sports shop. And last, but not least, a really friendly and solution oriented staff. Each and every one whom I throw a curve ball every now and then seem to work anything out. Unfortunately that’s rare in this business in Norway. BookTrysilonline.com| Skistar Booking | Trysil.no (Tourist office)
Bike Rental in Trysil
Go to the Sport Lodge’n at Radisson Blu, they have hard tail and full suspension bikes for rent. The same goes for Sentrum Sport down town. Freshen up your shirts and shorts at the Sweet Protection HQ outlet down town. More info on biking, lift passes, etc in Trysil here
Ørådalen flow trail to high speed scare (full run):
Radisson Blu Resort Trysil is Norway’s best year round resort hotel for active people. They have an indoor FlowRider surf wave that is a lot of fun. Sigurd Warren Kristiansen has some tricks up his sleeve.
Lars Wraae Jensen, Haaken Christensen, Elvestien, Trysil. Foto: Simen Berg
With a mix of man made and natural trails, Drammen Skisenter, has something for everyone. Including a network of top notch singletrack from the top of the lift. Normally called “Aronsløypa” by the locals, this urban hill is easily within range from Oslo, just 30 minutes away.
A lot has changed from my first visit in 2006. In a good way. Fortunately, the awesome locals and hosts Erik and Guri are still around.
About the Drammen Bike Park trails Flyt is the easy trail that y0u easily could ride on your hardtail. The “113” trail has a few wooden features, and ,as the name implies, it requires a more dedicated riding style, with drops and gaps. Not too hard, but still not for beginners. On the easier note, you have Bollestien and Hennings. The first one fairly straight in the fall line along Kjøsterudjuvet, the latter less steep and a lot longer. From Flyt, you can mix it up with sections from NM-løypa.
About heavenly singletrack
From the top of the lift, you can access an enormous trail network, that will keep you smiling. A lot. And everytime you think back. With a mixture of slickrock and dense forest, the trails are smooth and flowy. The hillside is littered with trails, so with a full suspension trail bike, you can do lift supported runs all day. Or just do longer rides on the plateau and finish with some of the special stages from the DrammeEnduro that left grown men giggling (see map below).
Here’s the machine built Flyt, second by second.
Here’s one of my favorites, Bollestien. Full run, second by second.
Hennings trail, also full run, second by second:
NM-løypa + Rett ned (?)
TBE singletrack run, second by second. Not an official part of the bike park, but it gives you an idea of the terrain.
Makken flying high in Rollercoaster, Hafjell Bike Park. Foto: Simen Berg
Text/photo: Simen Berg
Hafjell BP opening hours 2015:
June 20th- through August: Thursday – Sunday (Mon-Wed closed)
September: Saturday + Sunday
October: Høstferien
Hafjell Bike Park continues (update Oct 27th ’14)
Alpinco threatened to shut down the bike park (see below), but now there are great news for the 2015 season (opening hours above). In a press release they announce a season running from June 20th to the beginning of October. Through August they will be open Thursday – Sunday. In other words, biking tourists will have to spend Monday – Wednesday on their trail bikes riding singletrack at Skeikampen or Hafjelltoppen/Pellestova area. The latter will, according to the press release, get more signs, and that’s a good thing.
The best biking trails in Scandinavia
180 kilometers north of Oslo, you find Hafjell, right by the Olympic city of Lillehammer. The host of the 2014 Mountain Bike World Championships.
Hafjell Bike Park already has a legendary status among the top downhill riders from the 2012 and 2013 World Cup events. Steve Smith named it “the best berms in the business”, and introduced #BermBoner. That tells you a lot, add to that Peaty’s remark from 2012, when he had to go back to the 90ies to remember a WC track that he liked as much as this.
For everyone But Hafjell is far from just racing. You can easily have a laugh on your hardtail. From top to bottom: Moetown – Parkløypa – Nameless – Ekspressen – Brattlykkja – Dessert
For more challenging singletrack, take Gressløypa or Old School / New School or NM-løypa and add Råbølstien.
If you like airtime, Rollercoaster is a lot of jumps, combined with “the best berms in the business”. Just ask Makken.
Singletrack mecca as well The network of trails for singletrack biking on a trailbike from the top of the lift is amazing. Birken (Birkebeinerrittet) and Ultrabirken trails and gravel roads are parts of what the Hafjell Plateau offers. View/downoad gps tracks from trailguide.no: Hafjell -Hitfjell-Kriksfjell-Reinsfjell and Hafjell-Nevelfjell
The trails at Skeikampen only 30 minutes away, are some of the most flowy in Norway.
Hafjell Bike Park continues (update Oct 27th ’14)
Alpinco threatened to shut down the bike park (see below), but now there are great news for the 2015 season (opening hours above). In a press release they announce a season running from June 20th to the beginning of October. Through August they will be open Thursday – Sunday. In other words, biking tourists will have to spend Monday – Wednesday on their trail bikes riding singletrack at Skeikampen or Hafjelltoppen/Pellestova area. The latter will, according to the press release, get more signs, and that’s a good thing.
Last season? See update on top! Unfortunately it seems like the Hafjell owner, Alpinco, with shareholders Pasab (Petter Stordalen/Buchardt) and Investinor are eager to shut Hafjell Bike Park down. With hardly any promotion at all and finishing off the season before they even have the “Closing weekend”, the most profitable weekend of the year, it seems obvious that the main goal is to make sure that the bike park loses money. For one thing, closing the day after the World Championships Downhill final is a bad idea. All riders, media and crew have their first “day off” of the season. After they sleep off the hangover, they go riding. With cameras. Also the weekdays before the Masters Championships, no lifts are running.
Hafjell in winter time
Obviously, the 1994 Olympics venue for Alpine skiing (snowboard was hardly invented back then) is a winter destination as well. But not for me, as I don’t care much for the slopes. But if you do, Hafjell is among top ten in Norway for carving.
Here’s Moetown and Parkløypa for you:
Here’s Expressen:
Hafjell eating and nightlife
Skavlen on top of the gondola serves lunch, I really enjoy the Pulled Pork with coleslaw and the Pizza. Waffles + “Kanelbolle” are OK, and although they don’t have a coffe machine, the Americano is OK.
The only place for afterbike beer is Woody’s in the base area. They also serve sad burgers, but 2015 news is that they finally have decent coffee.
At night there are no other options than going to Lillehammer, unless it’s the opening/closing weekend. Then there’s a party above the bike shop. 2015 news is that this place, Ryk & Reis offers a place in the sun for great pizza and burgers. Not to mention a beer, glass of wine, etc.
Hafjell accommodation
There are three major booking options. This far none of them seem interested enough to offer bundled packages with lift pass/accommodation/bike rental. Make sure that the place you book isn’t far away on the top of the mountain.
– norskhytteudlejning.dk – hafjellresort.no – hafjellbooking.com
Travel to Hafjell
Driving from Oslo takes 2 hours and 15 minutes on the main road between Trondheim and Oslo/Gardermoen Airport.
The train stops at Hunderfossen and Lillehammer – NSB.no (note that bringing bikes on the train could be a hassle)
The bus stops in Øyer, right by Hafjell. NOR-WAY.no (note that bringing bikes on the bus could be a hassle)
Scandinavian Bike Park Tour
If you’re already travelling far, add Swedish Åre Bike Park and Järvsö Bergscykelpark to your Great Scandinavian Bike Park Tour. For natural trails, Drammen Skisenter/Aronsløypa (half hour from Oslo) is worth while as well.
If you’re into singletrack biking on a trail bike, check out Trysil Bike Arena.
Åre is a true mountain bike resort, with a Whistler vibe. Not only because of all the vertical meters from top to bottom, but also because the cozy town is all about biking.
Every year we spend a few days in Åre, and with some friends among the locals, we know the place fairly well.
For years, Åre Mountain Mayhem was the main summer event. Now Åre Freeride Festival organized by Åre Bergscyklister in early July is the busiest week of the season.
The Bike Park The lift system runs from Åreskutan (lift to 1274 masl) down to 389 masl at VM 8:an.
From VM 6:an, Lilla Blå and Flinbanan (see film below) will get you started with a smile on your face. More hectic and challenging are Nelson/Tjernis and DH-banan. The next level is served by Hummeln, and gives access to quite a few trails, including the popular Shimano-leden. And the new (2014) trail Uffes, after the former bike park manager, Ulf Olofsson.
From VM 8:an you can do Månskogen/Getrappet and Bräckebäcksleden. Respectively smooth and rough happiness on two wheels. Keep going up, and you’re facing 9 km and 20 minutes of pleasure. Easy Rider is an amazing collection of berms, while 1000 metersleden and Hellrajd are all natural.
Preseason riding in May happens from Bergbanan on the lower slopes.
Åre Eating/Night Life
Get the daytime snack (fika) at Stormköket on top of Åreskutan. Fjällgården is more of a restaurant, but still on the hill.
The after bike spots are Dahlbom and Broken. The latter has amazing tex-mex.
Wersén’s has an excellent dinner menu. Including reindeer, that really blew my mind when I tried it.
At night, Dahlbom is the place for bubbles and drinks, if you didn’t get too many on their sunny terrasse in the afternoon. The best bar (by far) for bikers by bikers is Parkvillan.
Travel to Åre
The train connects Åre to Stockholm and Trondheim, just pay attention to distances and logistics when you book a place to stay. Getting the bike on the train in Trondheim might be tricky, but normally it works out. By plane you go to Trondheim or Östersund.
Driving from Oslo, I prefer to do 710 kms through Sweden (via Kongsvinger/Torsby). With a stopover in Järvsö Bike Park on the way. For the Scandinavian Bike Park Tour, add Swedish Järvsö and Hafjell Bike Park in Norway. On weekends and some Wednesday nights, Drammen Skisenter, half an hour outside Oslo is also worth while.
If you’re into singletrack biking on a trail bike, check out Trysil Bike Arena.
Åre Accommodation
To leave the car parked the whole visit, we usually stay close to the square. STF Åre Torg used to be a bargain, but still is a good deal in the midst of everything. We can also recommend bike in/bike out Hotel Granen. Skistar will normally have bike package deals, so check it out. Parkvillan also has accommodation.
A couple of films to give you an idea (more to come).
Tobbe Spesial, starting at Hummeln
On Tobias Liljeroth’s tail: Örnnästet – Rydbergs väg – Shimano-leden – Västra Stjärnvägen – Solstigen – Getrappet
Sondre (10) – first day on the new bike
A young man, Sondre (10), got a new bike and got to try it out with his dad Rune Dahl on his tail in Flinbanan. Seems like the youngsters already has his bike sorted out.
Åre Bike Park, Månskogen, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
Åre Bike Park, Sweden. Photo: Simen Berg / Bergphoto.net
The Fatbike is gaining popularity around the world. In 2013 there were a few handfuls of bikes in Norway, now they’re in the thousands.
To try it out, we borrowed Surly bikes from the importer, Brown Couch, plus my friend Are. It also turned out he had done the ride we had planned for the day.
BJØBERG – GRØNDALEN
We dropped one car off by the golf course in Grøndalen, not far from Solheisen. Then we got a lift to Bjøberg, close to the highest point of Hemsedalsfjellet.
The skiing tracks had not been prepared for many days, so the climb started off a bit loose. But it got a lot better as we gained some altitude. Basically there was from 5-10 cms of snow on a firm base. The ride was about 17 kms, with a moving time of 1:42.
IN SUM: DID WE LIKE IT?
It was our first experience with fatbikes. It is intriguing to be able to ride a bike on snow like this. But Kathrine and I agreed that we prefer skiing when conditions are like this. I can’t describe how frustrating it was to pedal downhill for kilometers, instead of going four times as fast on skis… And when the snow is gone, we prefer our full suspension trail bikes.
PLEASE NOTE – THE BIKE PARK WILL NOT BE OPEN AFTER THE 2013 SEASON! Drammen Skisenter (half hour drive) and Hafjell Bike Park (two hours drive) are the closest alternatives.
On June 29th 2012, Norway got an addition to the list of lift served bike parks aimed at those who like to fly down trails on full suspension downhill/freeride bikes. Oslo Sommerpark now offers five trails, of which one is a hand built DH race track. Next year they will add another three trails.
Fairly new sport in Norway
Gravity based biking in bike parks really started off for real in Hafjell around 2005. Until then, most of the action happened in Frognerseteren, close to Holmenkollen. Served by line 1 on the Oslo subway system between Skådalen and Frognerseteren. And that’s the same stop you will get the closest to Oslo Sommerpark by the Tryvann tower. More about the other bike parks later.
About the park
This bike park is a totally incredible accomplishment, taking into consideration that it all was built from scratch in less than two months.
But here it actually is, and five trails are up and running, with three more to come in 2013. Bike Park guru Snorre Pedersen from Hafjell Bike Park designs the trails, so no rookie mistakes around here.
The five trails are:
Begynnern: Flowy and bermy out in the open.
Eastside: Some tables and berms, but mostly tight corners on a narrower, machine built trail in the forest.
Fri Flyt: High speed trail with a lot of air time.
Stiknuser’n: Singletrack
Ryehufsa: Sportsklubben Rye built a downhill track for Norwegian Cup events.
Note: Please note that the videos were filmed on the very first opening day, with loose and wet conditions.
BEGYNNER’N TRAIL June 27th
EASTSIDE TRAIL June 27th
FRI FLYT TRAIL June 27th
About the bikes
Begynnern and Eastside are smooth enough for hard tails until the brake bumps get to tiresome. With a full suspension trail / AM bike you’ll be fine in Stiknusern as well.
With a freeride/downhill bike you’ll be happy all over the place.
More Norwegian parks
Hafjell is the best bike park in Norway. Half an hour from Oslo, Drammen Skisenter offers excellent biking. In addition, you can enjoy lift served downhill biking at Geilo, Hemsedal, Ål, Narvik, Vrådal, Hovden, Ulriksbanen (Bergen), Fjellheisen (Tromsø).
How about endless slickrock terrain with marked trails for biking in daytime, combined with high end hotel accommodation and food? Including massage, sauna, hot tub and bonfire story telling on top of this. Canvas Hotel in Telemark offers this incredible mix of adrenaline biking and soothing comfort.
Normally, groups of guests arrive by bike on an hour long trail. Others want to arrive on the 1.5 or 3 hour long trails. The latter on the DNT-trail from Gautefall. Luggage is taken care of. Once in the camp there’s a selection of marked trails, for the time being from 3 to 15 kilometers. Guests are divided in groups based on distance ambitions or technical levels, and guides bring them along to give everyone what they came for. Upon request, guides can easily organize multi-day trips in the area as well.
The trails are flowy and not very steep. The slickrock formations offer any imaginable feature, including streams, lakes and deep and wide cracks in the landscape. These are negotiated with bridges and woodwork in to the necessary extent. Luckily, the trailmaster himself is the landowner, who also is eager riding his bike. So in the years to come, there are loads of trail gems in pipeline here.
FACILITIES
The hotel itself consists of 12 comfy yurts with two beds, heated with firewood. There’s a kitchen tent, sauna and bathrooms.
More information: canvashotel.no facebook.com/canvashotelnewsite
EQUIPMENT
The trails are super smooth, so you’ll be fine on everything from a 100mm full suspension bike. 160mm will be overkill, but no problem. You’ll be OK on a hardtail, but should consider renting a Lapierre Zesty at Canvas.
GETTING HERE
Go on E18 to Porsgrunn and follow signs to Drangedal. Or you continue south on E18 and go on Drangedal signs from there. When passing Drangedal, keep going until Gautefall signs show up. Follow them, and stick to the plan you made when booking at the hotel. Allow 3.5 hours from Oslo and a bit more than 1 hour from Porsgrunn.
Only 1.5 hours by car from Oslo, you can do one of Norway’s most amazing All Mountain rides on your mountainbike. The climb starts at approximately 800 meters (from the tree line), and follows a truly biker-friendly DNT trail to Høgevarde (peak at 1459m, DNT-hut at 1400m). If you go back down all the way to Krøderen Lake (132m), you’ll have one of the most majestic singletrack/doubletrack runs you can find in Norway. 25 kilometers downhill, of which only 3 kms on gravel/tarmac roads. And only a couple of handfulls of climbing meters.
From the Høgevarde peak you can enjoy a 360 degree view only surpassed by Gaustatoppen in southeastern Norway (straight to your west when standing there). You can also see Tryvannstårnet in Oslo on clear days.
EQUIPMENT
There’s just one short passage on the climb that’s a bit hard to climb, mostly because of loose rocks. In other words, you’ll be fine on a 120 mm full suspension mountainbike. With more travel, you’ll obviously be more comfy at higher speeds back down the hill. A hardtail will also be OK, but not ideal. Additional protection other than the helmet really isn’t necessary, but I’ll wear light knee/elbow pads the next time I go (watch the video and judge for yourself). Two cars make the shuttling easier, but you might get a lift back to the top, or call the taxi (could be expensive).
GETTING HERE
By car from Oslo, you go on E16 from Sandvika and Riksvei 7 from Hønefoss until you get to Noresund. Then you wanna take a look at the map and start planning. It’s 1.5 hours from Oslo, a little less from Drammen.
Text: Simen Berg Photo/Video: Simen Berg
Simen Berg - bergphoto.net 