Draisine on the Valdres Line
| Distance: | Duration: | Terrain: | Level: | Type: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 km | 4 hours | Railway | Medium | Draisine |
Railbiking on the Valdres Line is a great experience. You can hire a draisine at Dokka and cycle 24 kilometres to Hov Station along the beautiful Randsfjord.
Along the Lake Randsfjord. Photo: Erlend Garåsen
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Two options
There are draisines for rental at both Shell in Dokka and Hov station, so you can start in either direction. After you have signed the rental agreement, you will receive a key and a helmet.
Railway points
To avoid derailment, you should push the draisine pass the railway points at Dokka station before you set off. You will first pass a beautiful nature reserve on your right until you continue along Randsfjorden. This stretch is almost flat and easy to cycle.
Fluberg station
After a couple of kilometres you will pass a platform on your left. You have now reached Odnes station, the lowest point on the Valdres Line. From Odnes you will cycle through a stunning area close to the water's edge. It goes slightly uphill after four kilometres and you will pass the red station building of Fluberg on your right.
Unsecured level crossing
Be careful when you cross the county road. Here you must push the draisine over the level crossing. The next road is easier to cross, because you will pass it over a 44 metre long railway bridge. It becomes harder to pedal from here since you have started on the steep part to Hov station.
Bjørnerud station
You will cycle through a remote area and pass the place where Bjørnerud station used to be. The station building is gone, and the little abandoned house on your right is just an old draisine shed. When you come out of the thick forest you have reached the farm Gabrielstugua. From here you will get a great view of Randsfjorden.
Hov station
When you see a beige building on your right you have arrived Hov station, situated 234 metres above sea level. You are not allowed to continue further on the track, so you must lift the draisine off the track and turn it round. The trip back to Dokka goes mostly downhill, so be careful and use your breaks so you don't derail.
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How do I get there?
Bus 126 from Oslo or bus 110 from Gjøvik to Dokka. By car, follow the National Road 4 to Jaren and continue on the county road number 34 to Dokka. There are parking lots in the village centre free of charge.