The old road between Sletterust and Øvre (upper) Årdal is a lovely road for a bike ride.
Its twisting incline brings you 1000metres above sea level. The road does include a tunnel, so it would be beneficial for the bike to have a light.
The road offers a panoramic view towards the mountain range of Hurrungane and a good view in towards the valley of Utladalen, Øvre Årdal, the mountain of Bøttejuvet and the Årdalsvatnet Lake. Approximately 40 bends brings you from the highest point to where the gravel road meets Riksveg (highway) 53, a few kilometres from the centre of Øvre Årdal.
There is race that takes place going from Øvre Årdal to the 1000-Metre, and the road up the bends of the old road is also a popular walk amongst the locals.
400 metres – 1,000 metres – 400 metres
Walking map: Årdal walking map
Starting and finishing point: Fv 53 road, the '400 metre' mark
Parking: Fv 53 road, the '400 metre' mark
Waymarking: Information board at Fylkesveg 53, the '400 metre' mark
Altitude difference: 400–1,000 metres.
Total time: 4 hours there and back.
Description of walk
The path follows an old gravel road that was originally a construction road, then a summer car road over the mountain, though today there is a barricade at Rausdalssvingen. From here, you also get a great view of Bøttejuv, Nundalen, Fardalen and Utladalen.
Conditions on the Tunnel road:
Parts of the road are narrow and unsafe with a rough and uneven surface. You must therefore go slower than on a modern cycle path, and the trip is not suitable for inexperienced cyclists. The most demanding sections can be found just before and inside the tunnel about 5.5 km into the cycle route and from there it can be challenging from the viewpoint at 1000m and down to FV53 (long descent and sharp bends).
Hold to the left side of the road going from Sletterust towards the viewpoint, and get off the bike in those parts of the road you are not comfortable cycling.
The road is prone to rock falls, especially during heavy rainfall, and it is not cleared/maintained by anyone. You cycle here at your own risk.