Geilo: Culture, Circular Trail and Activities
Accommodation in Geilo
Geilo offers different ways to discover the surrounding area and its history: along a car-free circular trail around Ustedalsfjorden, at cultural sites, and through activities on the water or on two wheels. Geilojordet also brings the area to life in a special way. Which of these experiences you want to shape your trip can help you choose Geilo as your destination.
Historic Farms and Cultural Sites
Geilojordet is in the centre of Geilo and includes historic buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. They come from several farms in the municipality of Hol. In summer, Geilojordet is open daily from mid-June to mid-September. There are exhibitions in the barn, and all the houses are open to visitors. Storytelling theatre is also held there in summer. An open-air café serves rømmegrøt, coffee and lapper during this period. The buildings, exhibitions, storytelling theatre and regional food are all part of the area's summer offering.
The Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park offers another historical perspective. It contains cultural heritage monuments from prehistoric and historical times, as well as burial mounds from the Viking Age. An investigation in 1923 uncovered finds dating from the 10th century in 10 of approximately 20 burial mounds. The park also features landscape art by Gunnveig Nerol and Terje Isungset. Those interested in different traces of the past will find both archaeological monuments and art in the landscape here.
On Foot, by Bike or on Skis around Ustedalsfjorden
The 10-kilometre circular trail around Ustedalsfjorden is car-free. It is suitable for hiking and walks with a stroller; in summer, you can also cycle the route. Allow at least two to three hours to walk it. The loop takes about an hour by bike or on skis. These different time estimates can help you decide whether to plan the circular trail as a longer hike or a shorter activity by bike or on skis.
The trail passes through Fekjo Cultural Heritage Park, making the park easy to reach on foot. Signs along the nature and cultural trail provide information about plant and animal life, local culture and early settlement. The loop thus combines exercise with topics that are also explored at the cultural sites. If you want to walk with a stroller, you can take into account that the route is explicitly suitable for this; if you prefer cycling, that is also an option in summer. In winter, the circular trail is groomed as a cross-country ski trail.
More Activities in Geilo
The Bike Park in Vestlia has the Hallingdal region's largest asphalt pump track, five jump lines, bike features and the Røyskatten Skill Trail. The park is below Vestlia Resort. The pump track is suitable for skateboarders, inline skaters, scooter riders and cyclists. Those considering different forms of wheeled sports will find several specific features and ways to use them here.
Geilo Aktiv rents out two canoes on Ustedalsfjord in the centre of Geilo and offers guided snowshoe and fat-bike tours. Husky Glimmer runs dog-sledding camps that are within walking distance of Geilo centre, as well as a dog-sledding tour on Ustedalsfjorden. Before driving their own dog sled, guests receive instructions from experienced mushers. Two guests share a team and can switch places halfway through. This tour has a clear shared format: you ride as a pair and take turns along the way.
Getting There and Choosing a Destination
The Bergen Railway stops at Geilo station several times a day. The station is in the centre and is also the town's transport hub. It is therefore an important landmark for arriving by train. When looking for a holiday apartment in Geilo, you can first consider which experiences will be most important to your trip: historic places, the loop around Ustedalsfjorden, activities in the Bike Park or guided offerings. This lets you choose a destination based on your travel group's interests without turning the different experiences into a single itinerary.
More places to discover: Haugastøl, Dagali, Eggjareir, Hovet, Hol and Ustaoset.
More About the Destination
Useful information for planning your trip:
Back to the main travel overview: Hol.
