sports
'The only way is up': cycling Norway’s mountainous ‘Milky Way’
The Mjølkevegen was once used to bring milk from high pastures to the towns below. Now cyclists are discovering the road’s breathtaking panoramas of peaks and lakes, dotted with cosy inns
TL;DR
- The Mjølkevegen is a 155-mile (250km) gravel cycling route in southern Norway, traversing the edges of Jotunheimen national park.
- Originally developed to connect mountain farms with towns for milk transport, it is now popular with gravel cyclists for multi-day adventures.
- The route passes by mountains, lakes like Vinstre and Bygdin, and traditional inns (Fjellstue) that offer accommodation and meals.
- Cycling experiences include challenging climbs, traffic-free roads, and potential encounters with wildlife, alongside cultural sights like stave churches.
- Various ways to experience the Mjølkevegen exist, including shorter stages, e-bikes, self-guiding, or hiring a local guide.