The 5 Best Bike Routes Around Lillehammer
Cycling is one of the best ways to experience Lillehammer. With its rich Olympic heritage, forested hills, sparkling lakes and charming neighborhoods, the region invites you to slow down and explore more than just the city center. Whether you’re visiting or you’re a local who wants to discover your own area in a different way, these five routes give you a unique insight into the culture, nature and soul of Lillehammer.
Bike tour at Lysgårdsbakkene. Photo: Mono Media
Lillehammer by Bike
With a bike you get the freedom to stop where cars can’t, feel the wind and sun, and experience the landscape at your own pace. You’ll chat with locals, discover hidden streets and feel like part of the rhythm of everyday life here. Whether you’re here for a weekend or a summer vacation, these routes will help you see Lillehammer with new eyes.
The city and area are perfect to explore by bike, but it helps to know where to go. Some roads are very steep, and many local routes aren’t signposted. This collection highlights five bike routes that let you see the best of the area. Perfect for day trips – and all tours can be cycled with both regular bikes and e-bikes.
Navigation: The easiest way to navigate is by downloading the Komoot app.
1. Cultural History Tour
Distance: 4km | Surface: Asphalt | Difficulty: Easy
Discover the heart of Lillehammer from the bike seat. This route passes the local museums and the charming city center. Enjoy the sight of the old buildings at Maihaugen, discover the Olympic museum and the Postal Museum, and have lunch on the pedestrian street. Even though the route is only 4 km, you can easily spend a whole day.
2. Olympics ’94 Tour
Distance: 15km | Surface: Mixed | Difficulty: Moderate
This loop takes you past Lillehammer’s Olympic museum and the most iconic sports arenas, including Olympic Park and the ski jump where the opening ceremony in 1994 was held. Enjoy the panoramic view over the city and Lake Mjøsa from the top of the ski jump
3. The Craft Route
Distance: 19 km | Surface: Asphalt | Difficulty: Easy
A cultural route that leads you to the village of Fåberg, home to the award-winning, creative sanctuary ment®. The trip starts at Fabrikken, and follows quiet bike paths past the University College and down the beautiful Brunlaugbakken hill. You cycle back along the Lågen river and can stop at Jorekstad for an indoor swim, or at Vingnesvika for a dip in Lake Mjøsa.
4. Hafjell and Hunderfossen
Distance: 37 km round trip | Surface: Mostly asphalt | Difficulty: Moderate
Enjoy a day on the bike and discover the beginning of beautiful Gudbrandsdalen valley. This bike route takes you to the Hafjell area where you can spend a whole day. Here you’ll find Hunderfossen Adventure Park, Lilleputthammer, the Norwegian Road Museum and the Olympic bobsled track.
5. Panoramavegen
Distance: 17.5 km | Surface: Mixed | Difficulty: Challenging
For a fantastic view over Lillehammer and Lake Mjøsa to the south, you can cycle the challenging route to Panoramavegen. The road up is steep, but at a calm pace, with strong legs or an e-bike, it’s just fun. The view is spectacular, and the way back is almost all downhill to Lillehammer.
Have a great trip!
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