The trail building experts call it the "next level": a gigantic trail network with a city or town in the centre where the infrastructure is not designed for cars but for cyclists. On the pump track to the bakery, in other words. Or perhaps even to work on the jumpline. Sounds utopian, but it is already a reality in two places around the world: in Bentonville in the US state of Arkansas and, since 2015, in Blue Derby, Tasmania. Here, this model has breathed new life into an old working-class and semi-abandoned mining town. Not only because hordes of enthusiastic trail holidaymakers are now travelling here. Several companies from the bike industry have also set up shop in these two "biker capitals". Yes, well, they also have the space for such gigantic field trials, one could say a little enviously.
In densely populated Europe, there is already a lack of deserted towns that could be transformed into such a bike mecca. But far from it! Norway already has the space, the money and, above all, the will for such a mammoth European counterpart! In the Norefjell mountains, just under two hours' drive north-west of Oslo. Høgevarde, the second highest peak in the mountains at 1459 metres, serves as the backdrop. The Australian trail construction company "World Trails" has been digging kilometre-long lines in its expansive, green flanks decorated with granite boulders for five years. Trial legend Hans Rey visited the construction site last autumn and brought back all the information on the most burning questions.
How serious are the Norwegians about this project and: Is the long journey to the far north worth it?
The government has so far invested the equivalent of around 9.5 million euros just for the construction of the trails. A total of 80 to 100 kilometres of trails are to be created. The man behind this trail construction company, which has been specially hired from Australia, is not just anyone, but Glen Jacobs. A legend and leading expert in his field. When it comes to creating a world-class course for the Olympic Games, World Championships or the Enduro World Series, no-one spares the expense of flying the Australian in.
In this respect, Norway should be very serious about this project. If you want to see for yourself now, head for the Hallingdale Valley. There are already five trail spots here that are worth the long journey alone: Geilo and Hemsedal (with lift), Ål and Gol with high alpine backcountry trails, Nesbyen (enduro lines) - and now this new super spot is being built at Høgevarde near the village of Flå. You can already see that everything is being geared towards the needs of bikers. Cafés, shops, accommodation, but also office complexes and the roads within the town are being planned creatively and with twists and turns. It's not just about quickly carving a network of trails into a mountain to attract biking tourists in summer. Rather, you can sense at Høgevarde that a community is already being created during construction that might also want to live and work here.
Are the Høgevarde trails already rideable, how do they feel, and is there a lift?
There is no lift yet, but there is a shop with e-MTB hire and a first, very fun shaped uphill flow trail through undulating alpine flanks and around impressive granite blocks. This means you can easily do without a lift. Hans Rey used this trail for a backcountry excursion up Høgevarde, from the summit of which you can see almost the entire Norefjell mountain range. Downhill, the trail balances over a rocky ridge, passing reindeer and a serviced hut. After hours, the journey ends on the shore of a long lake, which the locals affectionately call a fjord. There you can get into a boat and chug back to the starting point - an epic experience, says Hans.
The longest planned descent is called Blueberry Jam. A 16-kilometre-long bend pump track spectacle through a sea of blueberry bushes and past a waterfall. This line was not quite finished when Hans Rey visited in autumn 2023. He had to climb over several construction sites, but the finished sections impressed him as they were perfectly draped in the landscape.
What about mosquitoes - don't you get half eaten on Norway's trails?
The bloodsuckers are a really annoying problem in the centre of the country. It's not as bad in the south, near Oslo, as it is in the north of the country, but as soon as you stop on the trail, they start buzzing around you: mosquitoes, horseflies and the very small midges (genets). Especially when you're sweating and your skin is warm and damp.
What the beasts definitely don't like: higher altitudes, wind, long and loose clothing and mosquito sprays - if they contain the active ingredient Deet (e.g. Anti Brumm and No bite). If you are travelling by motorhome, you should think about a mosquito net. Also good to know: There are noticeably fewer mosquitoes in June and September!
Is it worth the long journey by motorhome, and which route is the smartest?
You have to bring time with you, but yes: hardly any other European country offers such fantastic travelling routes as Norway. The roads are often winding and lead over artworks of bridges. That's why even the journey there is exciting: for example, you can take the ferry from Kiel to Oslo (20 hours) and then only have a two-hour drive ahead of you. The overland route on the Jutland Route is more adventurous: although it is 160 kilometres longer than the "Migratory Bird Route", it crosses the Storebælt Bridge in Denmark and the Öresund Bridge (at 8 kilometres the longest bridge in Europe) between Denmark and Sweden (both subject to tolls). Then it's another 700 kilometres to Hallingdale.
Petrol prices in Norway are roughly on a par with Germany, while Denmark has the highest prices in Europe. The cheapest petrol on the route is in Sweden! In Norway, by the way, everyman's right applies. This means that you are allowed to camp anywhere in the wild.
Midsummer nights - is it even possible to sleep in continuous daylight in summer?
The phenomenon of the sun not setting at all for several summer weeks takes place north of the Arctic Circle. At the height of Oslo, however, the sun only disappears completely for 90 minutes on the longest day. That doesn't really calm your inner clock, which is completely out of whack. At 11 pm, you'd swear it was just afternoon. Instead of drawing the curtains and tossing and turning in bed, it's better to use this strange, surplus energy for extra-long bike rides. The equinox comes again in mid-September. But then it's only 16 degrees on average.
What is the best food to eat?
The only thing that is really cheaper in Norway than in Germany is fish. If you want to bring provisions: potatoes, meat and dairy products are taboo, alcohol is only allowed in small quantities!
What do you need to enter the country?
Norway is not a member of the EU, but of the Schengen area: Europeans therefore only need an identity card to enter the country. Currency: Norwegian kroner. However, almost everything in the country is now paid for by card. Cash is no longer accepted in some places and if it is, then only in local currency (100 Norwegian kroner = 8.77 euros).
The top 5 bike spots in Norway
If you're already in the far north, you might want to check out a few other super trail spots. Norway has plenty of them. Here are our five favourites:
1 Hafjell Bike Park
One of the largest bike parks in the country awaits north of the Olympic city of Lillehammer: 18 creatively designed downhill lines with an official range of levels (Pro Line for experts only!) with gondola and chairlift as well as a large pump track and bike hire. Open: from the end of June to mid-October. Info: hafjell.no
2 Trysil Bike Arena
The huge trail centre to the east of Lillehammer, right on the Swedish border, boasts an incredible network of 50 kilometres of built trails and 100 kilometres of natural trails. The trail builders have really been allowed to let off steam here. With the Twin Peaks, there is even a parallel pump track line for battling each other. Open all year round!
3 fjord trails
You can't travel to Norway without looking down on its fjord landscape from above. You will always come across biking locals. Their tour programme along the coastline is: first push up the steep trail, then pedal down. You have to be an expert in riding technique to get into the uphill flow on an e-MTB here, and the granite slabs often look grippier than they are on the way down. You can find spots like this along the coast all the way up north.
4 Tromsø trails
This small fishing and ferry town is located a little north of the Arctic Circle. Here you can take a boat across to the Lofoten Islands (a must for the scenery alone!). But not without having at least tried out the now 21 excellent trail loops with a total length of 183 kilometres!
5 Insider tip: Oslo
Norway's capital city bikers are to be envied: Just beyond the city limits, several hundred kilometres of trails wind their way through the forest. Their sawtooth profile is really fun with an e-MTB. Just ask in the bike shops or download tracks from the internet!
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
