🚵♂️ Bike-to-Hike: how to combine cycling and hiking
Imagine the perfect adventure, where the speed of cycling and the freedom of trekking come together in one unforgettable journey. Bike-to-Hike is a new trend in outdoor adventures in Norway's national parks, combining comfortable cycling routes with exciting hiking.
We have put together the best multimodal guide to help you plan your bike and hike trip: where to leave your bike, how to pack ultra-light gear, choose insurance and save time on the route.
Ready to combine the speed of a bike with the freedom of hiking? Then let's go!
📍 Choosing bike parking: where to leave your bike safely?
The best places to leave your bike while hiking:
- DNT huts: almost all are equipped with bike racks, often under video surveillance or staff supervision.
- National park visitor centres: secure parking with cameras and security (e.g. Gjendesheim in Jotunheimen, Rondvassbu in Rjukan).
- Hotels and campsites: arrange in advance to leave your bike in a locked room or special bike area.
🔐 Safety:
- Use a lightweight lock (U-lock or chain weighing up to 400 g).
- If you plan to leave your bike overnight, ask the staff or hut for permission.
🗺️ Best combined bike-to-hike routes in Norway
1️⃣ Jotunheimen: Gjendesheim – Besseggen
- Bike: Gjendesheim → Memurubu (10 km, easy route)
- Hike: Memurubu → Besseggen → Gjendesheim (14 km, medium difficulty)
- Parking: Gjendesheim, free bike parking near the entrance to the hut
⏱️ Timing tip: Bike ride in the morning, hiking during the day. In the morning, the bike paths are less crowded, and in the evening you can return to Gjendesheim for the night.
2️⃣ Hardangervidda: Rallarsveien + Trolltunga bike route
- Bike: Finsegård → Tyssedal (along the picturesque Rallarsveien road, 50 km, medium difficulty)
- Hike: Tyssedal → Trolltunga (22 km, above average difficulty)
- Parking: Hotel Tyssedal or official bike parking near the start of the trail to Trolltunga
⏱️ Timing tip: Spend the first night in Tyssedal and head to Trolltunga at dawn to avoid the crowds.
3️⃣ Rondane: Spranget – Rondvassbu – Rendeslettet summit
- Bike: Spranget → Rondvassbu (6 km, very easy route)
- Hike: Rondvassbu → Rendeslettet (2178 m, 12 km, medium/high difficulty)
- Parking: Rondevassbu hut (special bike zone)
⏱️ Timing tip: Arrive at Rondevassbu early in the morning by bike to climb Rendeslottet in the afternoon.
🎒 Equipment tips (ultralight kit <10 kg)
Basic principles of an ultralight kit:
- 🎒 Backpack: up to 40 l (approx. 600–800 g)
- ⛺ Tent or bivy: single-person ultralight models up to 1 kg (MSR Hubba NX, Big Agnes)
- 🛏️ Sleeping bag: down (400–600 g), comfort rating up to 0°C
- 🔥 Stove and cookware: compact Jetboil systems or similar (up to 400 g)
- 🧥 Clothing: membrane jacket, thermal underwear, insulated vest (total weight up to 1 kg)
- 🥾 Footwear: trail runners or lightweight trekking boots (up to 600 g per pair)
Approximate weight of an ultralight bike-to-hike kit:
- Backpack: 700 g
- Tent: 950 g
- Sleeping bag: 550 g
- Clothing and footwear: 1.5 kg
- Food for 2 days: 1 kg
- Stove and gas: 350 g
- Other (photos, personal items, first aid kit): 1 kg
🎯 Total: about 6 kg, leaving room for water and food.
🚲 Bike kit (bikepacking essentials):
- Bike bags (handlebar + seat): 400–600 g
- Lightweight pump and inner tube (up to 150 g)
- Multitool (150 g)
- Bicycle lock (300 g)
- Compact bicycle light (50 g)
Total weight: up to 1 kg
🛡️ Insurance: do you need special insurance?
- Include coverage for bike equipment (especially expensive bikes) in your insurance.
- Check whether your medical insurance covers hiking routes at altitudes above 2,000 m.
- Recommended insurance companies in Norway: Gjensidige, If, Tryg.
📌 Bike-to-Hike timing tips
- Start the cycling part early in the morning (6–7 a.m.) while it is still cool and there are few tourists.
- Finish the cycling part where you can safely leave your bike.
- It is better to plan hiking routes for the afternoon, when the trails are less crowded and the lighting is softer for photos.
- Use the bus and train timetables at entur.no to save time on transfers.
📝 Bike-to-Hike traveller's checklist
- 📱 GPS navigator or app (Komoot, UT.no)
- 🚴♂️ Lightweight bike lock
- 📑 Insurance covering bikes and hiking
- 🎫 National park map
- 🌦️ Lightweight membrane clothing
- 🔥 Compact stove and dry rations
- 🩹 Mini first aid kit
- Camera/smartphone with charger and power bank
🚵♀️ Conclusion: combine cycling and hiking!
Bike-to-Hike in Norway's national parks is a convenient and exciting way to spend your active holiday. Follow our tips on how to get organised, use ultra-lightweight equipment, plan your timing carefully and enjoy the unique combination of two of the best outdoor activities.
Discover multisport hikes in Norway and get the most out of your bikepacking Norway routes!
