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Helgøya round - In the middle of Mjøsa

Experience Norway's largest inland island, with great views of Lake Mjøsa and the surrounding cultural landscape
  • Area Ringsaker
  • Distance 15.4 km
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Terrain Climbing
  • Overall increase 240 vertical metres
  • Underlay Approx. 80 per cent asphalt, 20 per cent gravel
  • Trip from Øyvind Wold Experienced touring cyclist
Criteria Stjerner
Traffic safety
Ascent per day stage
Surface
Signage and marking
Tourist infrastructure per day stage
Scenic quality
Experience/offer per day stage
Public transport connections
E-bike friendliness

With its 18 square kilometres, Helgøya is Norway’s largest inland island. The trip around the island is not long, but offers many experiences. There’s a climbing park with an extra-long zip line, a restored museum garden, several farm shops, a treetop hut and refreshments in the garden at the idyllic Skafferiet café in the very south of the island.

From the bike seat, however, the view is perhaps the most attractive feature. The road is high enough to see large parts of Lake Mjøsa and offers views of the cultural landscape on the Cape, Nes Peninsula, Stange and Hamar. If you want an even better view, you can choose the route across Helgøya, via Stav, Eksberget and Eik. This will take you up to an altitude of three hundred metres.

From Tingnesbrua and Sund, there’s a hill that rises 60 metres in altitude, but apart from this, the trip can be described as easy cycling. Car traffic is generally light, but at weekends in summer there can be more traffic, not least towards the aforementioned Skafferiet café.

Suitable for

The tour is suitable for most people, including children aged 11-12.

Bike type

Suitable for all types of bikes.

Hiking tips

There are several cosy hiking trails in the area around Hovinsholm in the south of the island. A variant of the cycle tour is to leave the main road at Maurud and cycle down via Svennerud to Lake Mjøsa and the large recreational area Skurven. There is also an organised swimming area and recreational area at Tingnes. Kayak hire is available at the pier at Tingnes if you want to paddle in the area. You can also hire electric bikes and kayaks at the Infoteket at Tingnes.