Rallarvegen is a popular bicycle road in central Norway

Rallarvegen is a popular bicycle road in central Norway

Norway, europe

Length

82 km

Elevation

1,343 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

# Rallarvegen: Norway's Epic Alpine Cycling Adventure

Hidden in central Norway lies Rallarvegen, one of the country's most iconic cycling routes and genuinely one of its highest roads. This 82-km (51-mile) gem traces a spectacular path along the Hardangervidda Plateau, connecting Haugastøl through Finse, Hallingskeid, and Myrdal before descending to the charming village of Flåm.

The story behind this route is pretty cool—it's actually an old construction road built between 1902 and 1904 to support the legendary Bergenbanen railway project. These days, it's become a bucket-list cycling destination for adventurers seeking both historical intrigue and serious mountain scenery.

Fair warning though: this isn't your typical paved highway. Rallarvegen is completely unpaved and stays true to its rough-and-ready origins with steep climbs, tight hairpin turns, and elevations reaching 1,343m (4,406ft). It's rugged terrain that rewards dedicated cyclists with unforgettable views and genuine wilderness experience.

If you're thinking about driving a vehicle here, you'll need special permission and a seriously capable 4x4—this road was never designed for cars and it shows. The route is only accessible from mid-July through early September, so timing is everything for a successful adventure.

This is the real deal: a genuine mountain odyssey that blends history, nature, and challenge into one unforgettable experience.

Where is it?

Rallarvegen is a popular bicycle road in central Norway is located in Norway (europe). Coordinates: 64.4197, 11.5415

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Norway
Continent
europe
Length
82 km
Max Elevation
1,343 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
64.4197, 11.5415

Related Roads in europe

Where is Col de la Platriere?hard

Where is Col de la Platriere?

🇫🇷 France

Okay, buckle up, because Col de la Platrière in the French Alps is a stunner! This paved road winds its way up to 2,220m (7,283ft) in the Hautes-Alpes department, offering insane views. You'll find it in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, not far south of the well-known Casse Deserte. The D902, as it's known, is a twisty thrill ride. Think narrow sections, hairpin turns galore, and a serious climb of 23.6 km (14.66 miles) from Arvieux to Cervières. Be prepared for some steep ramps, with gradients hitting up to 12%! And yes, those dramatic drop-offs are definitely a thing, so keep your eyes on the road. Once you conquer the climb, there's a small parking lot waiting. Don't miss the short walk to the orientation boards at the top – the panoramic views are SO worth it! This legendary climb even makes appearances in the Tour de France, so you know it's epic.

Road trip guide: Conquering the Besurta Refugemoderate

Road trip guide: Conquering the Besurta Refuge

🇪🇸 Spain

# Refugio de la Besurta: A Hidden Gem in Spain's Pyrenees Tucked away in the Benasque Valley within the stunning Parc Natural de Pocets-Maladeta, Refugio de la Besurta sits pretty at 1,920m (6,299 ft) in the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees. This mountain refuge is absolutely worth the drive if you're exploring the Ribagorza region of Huesca in northern Spain. The road up from Benasque is totally paved, which is a win—but fair warning, it's narrow and winding, so expect a more intimate driving experience. Winter? That's a no-go. Snow and ice make this route impassable during the colder months, so plan your visit for warmer seasons. Starting from Benasque (sitting at a cozy 1,164m elevation), you're looking at a 15.4 km drive that climbs 756 meters. That might sound intense, but the average gradient of 4.9% keeps things relatively manageable. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking—surrounded by rugged mountain peaks and pristine natural parkland. This is the kind of drive where every hairpin turn reveals another jaw-dropping vista. Perfect for anyone craving some serious Pyrenean adventure.

Fort Pepinhard

Fort Pepin

🇫🇷 France

Fort Pepin is a military fortress at an elevation of 2.278m (7,473ft) above the sea level, located in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France, near the Italian border. The road to the summit is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. It's an old military road. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). The fortress was built in 1883. Expect a trail pretty steep. The track is authorized for motorcycles and ATVs. Le Gros Villan, one of the steepest tracks in the world Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Driving the wild road to Col de Jouxmoderate

Driving the wild road to Col de Joux

🇮🇹 Italy

# Col de Joux: A Hidden Alpine Gem Tucked away in northwestern Italy's Aosta Valley, Col de Joux (also called Col du Mont-Joux) sits pretty at 1,930m (6,332ft) and is absolutely worth the detour. Starting from Fossaz, you'll cruise along mostly paved roads until the final 550m, where you transition onto a well-maintained gravel section that adds a bit of adventure to the climb. Seriously, bring your camera for this one. As you wind up from Avise, Mont Blanc makes frequent appearances, stealing your breath with its sheer majesty. Keep climbing and the views just get better—you'll find yourself surrounded by the dramatic peaks that cradle the entire Aosta Valley. It's the kind of scenery that makes you pull over just to soak it all in. When you finally reach the summit, you'll discover a convenient parking lot and a charming small lake that's perfect for a quick stretch and some well-deserved photos. The whole experience feels like a rewarding secret that most travelers completely miss.