Foto: Øyvind Wold

Sjusjøen: The Gjesbuåsen round

Relatively car-free and easy cycling round, with some mountain bike sections, in a cottage area near Lillehammer

Area Ringsaker
Distance 25.4 km
Difficulty Moderate
Terrain Climbing
Overall increase 590 vertical metres
Underlay Approx. 25 per cent asphalt, 65 per cent gravel, 10 per cent carriageway
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

The Gjestbodåsen round trip from Sjusjøen takes you on the eastern side, or «backside», of Sjusjøen. The hike is not long, but has a number of hills. The longest climb is five kilometres and runs from Finnøla and north past Moste to Kopnaglen. On the other hand, half of the trip is on roads that are virtually car-free, and in places in an easy-to-ride and magnificent mountain pasture landscape.

The start from Sjusjøen down to Nattrudstilen and Eftasåsen is in one of the most cottage-dense areas in the country, but from Eftasåsen all the way up to Kuåsen, more than half the trip, there is hardly a single cottage to be seen.

At Gjestbodåsen there is a mountain bike section; two kilometres of grassy, fairly flat and beautiful cart track on the marshes towards Kuåsen. If it hasn’t rained a lot, this stage is easily manageable by bike.

At Kuåsen you can stop to look at the very simple home of the local hunter and fisherman, known as «Ludden», who lived here for long periods. Nice picnic area by the cabin.

At Kroksjødammen, just a kilometre away, the road passes another picnic area, popular with cottagers, fishermen and cyclists.

From Storåsen, 920 metres above sea level, it’s a long downhill on asphalt back to the starting point.