Kraftvegen - cyclingroute

Cycling on the Hardangervidda

Rjukan's answer to Rallarvegen is the cycle tour on Hardangervidda, from Gvepseborg to Kalhovd or Mårbu Turisthytte. The road has recently been named "Kraftvegen".

Combine a bike ride with a great high mountain experience in Norway's largest national park. Rjukan Tourist Office sells three different bicycle packages.

Whether you decide to bike to Kalhovd or Mårbu Turisthytte, the trip starts at Gvepseborg.

Facts about the trip

Where: Gvepseborg - Kalhovd/Mårbu - Atrå - Rjukan

Length:

Gvepseborg - Kalhovd: 30 km

Kalhovd - Synken/Mårbu: 8 km (boat trip approx. 40 min)

Kalhovd - Atrå: 30 km

Atrå - Rjukan: 25 km

Season: mid-June - mid-September

Height difference: 217 m (883 - 1100 m.a.s.l.)

Landscape: gravel road, high mountain nature

Child-friendly: yes - for children used to biking

 

Track profile

Krossobanen

Krossobanen - Northern Europe's first two-rope course - brings you and your bikes up to the starting point at Gvepseborg, 886 meters above sea level.

Take the time to visit the viewpoint at the upper station before embarking on the cycle tour.

Practical information about the Krossobanen

• Remove bike bags before entering the track
• You must carry your bicycle into the cart yourself
• There is room for 5 bicycles at a time
• When using an electrical bicycle, the battery must be placed in a fireproof box

 

Terrain

“Kraftvegen” is an old construction road made from gravel that is suitable for mountain bikes as well The first two kilometres probably offer the toughest challenge along the route. Here, the altitude rises a couple of hundred meters before the tree line is reached and the Hardangervidda opens up.

The highest point on the trip is 1100 metres, so expect some hills. The bonus, however, is that when cycling upwards you will also get the reward of cycling downhill.

On the trip you can experience beautiful high mountain scenery, fishing lakes and trickling streams. On clear weather days, you also have a great view towards Gaustatoppen in the south.

Along the route there are many gorgeous areas where you can rest and eat your packed lunch. Make sure to bring all of the garbage with you.

The trip from Gvepseborg to Kalhovd is 30 kilometres.

Biking to Synken/Mårbu

If you are biking to Synken to take the boat MB Mårfjord to Mårbu Turisthytte, turn left in the intersection outside Kalhovd Turisthytte. From here you follow the gravel road for 8 kilometres until you reach Synken.

Remember to check the time table for MB Mårfjord. The boat trip takes 40 minutes.

The return

Returning to Rjukan can be done in the same way you came from or by cycling via Atrå back to Rjukan. The road from Kalhovd to Atrå is 30 km and offers a lot of downhills. Please note that when you get about halfway to Steinsbøle, you will come out onto a busy road and the cars here can come quite quickly. The same applies for the last 25 km from Atrå to Rjukan where you cycle along the national road.

Map over “Kraftvegen”

Biking in historical surroundings

The Krossobanen is not only Northern Europe's first two-rope track, it was also built as a gift from Norsk Hydro, so that Rjukan's population could get out into the sun during the six months every year that the sun is absent in the valley due to the high mountains.

Furthermore, the road underneath Krossobanen was used as an escape route for the saboteurs the night they blew up the heavy water plant at Vemork.

The road is also an old construction road. It was built in connection to Statkraft's expansion of the Mår waterways to prevent flooding in the Skien water ways. It is claimed that there were Yugoslavian prisoners of war who worked on the plant and the road.

Last, but not least, the bicycle tour is on the biggest national park in Norway, Hardangervidda!