High and low along Norway’s biggest lake.
This route takes you between Hamar and Lillehammer on mostly quiet roads, partly on asphalt and partly on gravel. It will take you through some of Norway’s most productive and well kept agricultural landscapes. All the way you will get continuously changing views towards Mjøsa, the biggest lake in Norway. The length of the route is 65 km.
From Hamar the route follows National Cycle Route 7, Mjøstråkk. This is also part of Eurovelo 3, the Pilgrimage Route from Santiago de Compostela to Trondheim. You can off course combine these routes if you want to do a roundtrip. We split with this route after Brumunddal, to get some better views on our way to Moelv. The same thing happens after Moelv, where we want to get to one of the best viewpoints along the lake, close to the farm Kløvstad.
There is accommodation of different kinds along the route. Why not try a traditional farm along the way. In Brumunddal you can stay in the world’s tallest wooden building, which is also a hotel. If you want it simple you might try the “back to the sixties” camping cabins at Brøttum, as seen in the photo.
If you need to fill up on the way, there are several choices. In summertime you’ll find a couple of beach cafes on your way out of Hamar, both close to the route. Stop in Brumunddal for lunch or pastries. In Moelv you’ll find supermarkets, a good bakery, and look for an espresso at Kvil Kaffe.
Lillehammer awaits you with a charming Main Street, a very good art museum, and Maihaugen, the mother of all Folk Art and Cultural History Museums in Norway. Here you’ll find exhibits on display and a collection of vernacular buildings from the region. And not to forget, Lillehammer hosted the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
If you want to combine this route with boat or train, both is possible. Skibladner is a paddle steamer which has been sailing on the lake Mjøsa since 1856, and is still running in summertime. Try it to get back to Hamar, or to other ports along the lake.
This tour is best in summer and early autumn, but can easily be done late spring and autumn as well. Snow and ice makes this less suitable for winter rides.
velono 
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