Railbiking at Valdresbanen, a cultural heritage site
On the former railway line Valdresbanen, you can railbike on the tracks between Dokka and Hov. The 23.7 km long railbike route offers a varied landscape – along the Dokka Delta and the Randsfjorden, over bridges, roads and riverbeds, through fields, dense forest and rock cuts. About midway is the Dokkadelta national wetland center with a bird watch tower and Sagvika bathing area . A railbike trip on the Valdresbanen is a unique experience close to nature – suitable for all ages (not under 1 year)!
Tandem bikes (NOK 600) and single bikes (NOK 450) rental at both ends of the line (see below). You have the bike for the whole day. You decide yourself how long a trip – you can turn around wherever you want on the route, and you must turn around and go back and finish where you started. The entire route (one way) takes approx. 2.5 hours.
NB!
– Bicycle helmet and yellow vest are mandatory. Bring your own or borrow one at the rental location. – Because of. vegetation along the route, long pants are recommended (rain pants after rain).
– Tandem bike: min. 2 pers. in normal bicycle shape, min. 150 cm tall; + bench for 1 adult / 2 children.
– Single bike: min. 1 pers. in normal bicycle shape, min. 150 cm tall; + bench for 1 adult / 2 children.
– Gift cards can be used at Hov station and when booking online from Dokka (not at drop-in).
– – See the « Questions & Answers » page for frequently asked questions.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STARTING POINT DOKKA: «DROP-IN» OR ONLINE BOOKING – SELF-SERVICE
Before the biking tour, all participants must familiarize themselves with these SAFETY RULES in the rental contract and these RAILBIKE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS. If possible, fill in and sign the rental contract in advance and bring it to the ST1l station at Dokka. See also the instructions posted on the station wall.
Railbike rentals at Dokka are transacted at ST1 Dokka (Storgata 54, 2870 Dokka):
- «Drop-in» at ST1:Turn up and rent if available railbikes. NB! Inquiries about available bikes before turn up at ST1 cannot be answered.
- Online booking( 2 days in advance) on this website. «Reservation ID» must be presented and a signed rental contract delivered in order get the key and seats for the railbike at ST1.
– Receive and return keys/seats at ST1 between 06:00–22:00.
– The railbikes are located at Dokka station, approx. 400 m from ST1. Car park at the station.
– Railbike equipment in the outdoor deck box at Dokka station: Baskets (1 per bike), first aid kits (1 per bike), helmets and yellow vests. (Key to railbike locks also fits the lock on the deck box).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
STARTING POINT HOV: BOOKING BY TELEPHONE (tel. no. 941 55 734) – VIP SERVICE
In Hov you can rent railbikes at the old train station (Hov Stasjon, Lausgardsvegen 11, 2860 Hov); booking no later than 1 hour before arrival, preferably before. Railbikers get a crash course in railbike handling and railbiking safety on arrival.
Hov Station has necessary railbiking equipment (baskets, first aid kits, helmets, yellow vests) for lend out, as well as additional equipment such as seats for children under 4, dog cages for small/medium-sized dogs. Car park at the station. See also Hov Stasjon on FB.
Hov Station is one of the best-preserved station buildings and station areas along the line and is a cultural heritage site (under restoration). You can experience the ambience of the old days, and the station building’s old cargo office, with a small exhibition and museum shop, is open to the public. The public toilet is also a cultural heritage site.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
FOOD & DRINKS ON THE TRIP:
– ST1 Dokka has a good selection of baguettes and various buns – perfect to take on a trip.
– From Sagvika bathing place (about midway in the tour) ca. 15 minutes’ walk to the restaurant Bjørnen .
– From approx. midway between Bjørnerud St. and Hov St., ca. 15 minutes’ walk to Lyngstrand Camping, where they have a eating place and kiosk.
– From Hov Station ca. 15 minutes’ walk to the centre of Hov where you find places to eat, supermarkets etc.
– In the centre of Dokka there are several places to eat, supermarkets, etc.
ACCOMMODATION:
– Click here or on «dressinutleie» under «Om oss» on the menu bar for list of overnight accommodations.
