Last Updated on: July 8, 2025

Mid-May the weather forecasts for both the eastern and the western parts of Norway were great. So “plans*” were hastily made for a weekend ride.

Mid-May 2025: riding across the mountains between Hemsedal and Hallingdal.

That meant leaving May 16th and celebrate the Norwegian constitution day, May 17th, on two wheels. Not the worst one can do when being a motorcycle rider! To be fair, I’ve done my share of celebration of the national day. 8 years in a school band playing on every May 17th. Later as a dad with kids. So been there, done that quite literally.

Through Vidalen

The weather was excellent so I decided to ride through Vidalen, right south of Vassfaret national park. Here goes one of my favourite gravel and dirt roads. The road is normally not open mid-May. But via Facebook I’d learned that it was, because of less snow this year.

First to Nes i Ådal, then onto Fv243 in direction of Hedalen, which is where you’ll find the oldest Stave Church in Valdres. The road goes across lower mountains to Nesbyen in Hallingdal. And is a road that’s normally easy to do even for street bikes or bikes with street tires. It’s partially paved as well.

May 16th 2025: Vidalen, Norway

Vidalen however, is a different story. Years ago I had my first encounter with a touring motorcycle. Suffice to say, it was stressful, but at least I didn’t fall or tip over. On an adventure motorcycle with good gravel tires it’s relatively easy. But it should be said that the road conditions can be variable.

There are different sections, some with lots of ruts, dirt, gravel, and rocks. as well as stretches of sand.

Through Vidalen, the easier section.

My Anakee Adventure tire set was in semi-decent condition. Had I been a poorer gravel and dirt rider it might have been a tad too exciting. Especially in the sandy part. Where going too slow is as bad as going too fast. Especially with a set of 80/20 tires.

“Juvet” (the gorge), in Vidalen

But I came out on the other side with no drama and had good fun while traversing the different sections.

Mid-May across the mountains

Can indeed be a cold experience. Rode up Hallingdal to Hemsedal Skisenter in Hemsedal, one of the most popular winter sports in the country. But also a nice place to go during summer. Here you find the northern entry of a gravel toll road called Fanitullvegen. It runs across the mountains down towards Ål in Hallingdal.

I’d learned that the road was open earlier than normal. A motorcycle rider had been across a few days before. Fanitullvegen normally doesn’t open until late May or early June. Depending amount of snow and weather in the mountains.

June 2023: road closed because of snow (further up/in).

2023 I was met by a road barrier (above). While I could have gone past it I reckoned it was there for a reason. Was a bit excited as I neared the where the road black was in 2023. But no sign of any kind, and both road and nature delivered!

View from along Fanitullvegen.

Quite as expected the temps dropped to 7-13C. It was windy and thus felt a lot colder. Despite that I could not help stopping several times, to marvel at the nature, and take some pictures.

Vats, and two more gravel roads

At Vats I turned right onto Fv244. Wanted to explore some more in the area. Past Vats the road turned to gravel, which led to the last gravel experience of the day.

The third and last gravel road of the day.

First time I’d done this and also the final gravel road which eventually led me down to Fv50. Which is the county (paved) road from Hagafoss to Aurland. It opened up a glorious view across snowy mountains in the west.

Osendevegen down towards Fv50 to Aurland

An hour or so later I landed in Aurland. had been an awesome experience. Cold, a times freezing cold, but definitely worth it. The next day, May 17th and the Constitution day, I’d be riding in Aurland and also down into Hardanger.

Below the route across from Hemsedal to Hallingdal/Fv50. Back later with more.

May 2025: route from Hemsedal over to Hallingdal / Fv50

*On plans: I dislike plans. And I suck at planning. So whenever / if ever  I use the term “plan” is must be understood in the loosest, widest sense. Or, more as a direction, if even that. My type of “planning”, should I choose to go through with it, usually is a failure.