Cabin life halfway between Oslo and Bergen
Geilo lies in Hol municipality in the Hallingdal valley, with the Hallingskarvet mountains to the north and the Hardangervidda plateau to the south. The village has around 2,600 residents but many thousands of cabins, and it's one of Norway's oldest ski resorts. The Bergen Line train stops right in the centre, so you can get here without a car. In winter there's downhill skiing on both sides of the valley and cross-country trails right from the cabin door. In summer there's hiking, cycling and fishing in two national parks.
Conditions now: weather on Yr · trails on skisporet.no · Route 7 at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration
Getting to Geilo
By train, car or bus. The train stops right in the village centre.
From Oslo Airport
Take the airport train or a regional train to Oslo Central Station and change to the Bergen Line, take the airport bus in the winter season, or book a private driver through cabinguide. Check Entur for departures and prices.
Train
The Bergen Line runs to Geilo station in the centre. The trip takes about 3.5 hours from Oslo and 3 hours from Bergen. Buy your ticket in the Vy app or at vy.no before you board.
Car
From Oslo it's around 220 km, about 3 hours 15 minutes, via the E16 to Hønefoss and then Route 7 through Hallingdal. From Bergen it's around 245 km via Route 7 across Hardangervidda.
In winter, Route 7 across Hardangervidda can have convoy driving or be closed. Check the Norwegian Public Roads Administration before you set off. County Road 2814 over Imingfjell is closed in winter.
Bus
Hallingbus (NX 175) runs directly between Oslo and Geilo. In winter there's an airport bus from Oslo Airport to Geilo.
Getting around
In winter, free ski buses run between Geiloheisen and Vestlia, the two sides of the valley. Geilo also has local taxis.
Long-term parking is available at Geilo station (north side), and paid parking at Hakkesetstølen.
Winter
Downhill skiing on both sides of the valley, hundreds of kilometres of trails and the mountain plateau right outside the door.
Downhill skiing
SkiGeilo has around 20 lifts and 45 slopes on both sides of the valley, four children's areas and three terrain parks. The slopes range from beginner areas to black runs. The season usually runs from early December to mid-April. One lift pass covers all the lifts.
Other ski resorts nearby: Hallingskarvet skisenter and Dagali fjellpark.
Cross-country skiing
Geilo and Hol municipality have up to around 500 km of groomed trails when snow conditions allow, from short, flat family loops in the valley to long tours across the mountains. The trails are groomed by the local trail association, Geilo Sti- og løypelag, and other trail teams in the area. Skiing on the trails is free, but the trail associations appreciate it if you become a member.
See when the trails were last groomed on skisporet.no or skiappen.no.
Popular route: Veslerunden. Start in Geilo and head towards Hakkesetstølen. Alternatively, take the chairlift from Vestlia towards Grønebakken and Ustetind, ski down to Ustaoset and back via Prestholt.
More winter activities
- Ice skating on the rink in the village centre.
- Ski touring on Hardangervidda. The winter season on the plateau lasts from late October to early June, depending on the weather. Check conditions and the avalanche forecast before you go.
Summer and autumn
The hiking and cycling season runs from June until the first snow arrives in October.
Hiking
- The Sherpa steps to Hallingskarvet: 2,239 steps and around 400 metres of climbing to the foot of Hallingskarvet, with views over the whole Ustedalen valley.
- Pilturen: A loop from the centre up to Geilohovda. Moderately demanding.
- Birgitrunden: Around 18 km, moderately demanding, 5–7 hours. Crosses Birgithovda (1,173 m) with views towards the Hardangerjøkulen glacier.
- Hivjufossen waterfall: Around 3 km, about 2 hours. The waterfall drops around 250 metres in two falls and is most impressive during the snowmelt.
- Mountain cafés: Hakkesetstølen, Prestholtseter and Tuva turisthytte are classic destinations. Tuva is known for its waffles.
Cycling
- Rallarvegen: Norway's best-known cycling route, from Haugastøl or Finse down to Flåm. The full route is around 80 km from Haugastøl, or around 53 km from Finse. It's usually passable from late July to September. The last stretch down to Flåm has 21 sharp bends on loose gravel, so children often need to walk their bikes. Take the train back from Myrdal or Flåm.
- Around Ustedalsfjorden: Around 10 km on gravel roads, easy and almost flat. A good family trip.
- Trail riding: A flow trail from Vestlia down to Geilo sommerpark, and a bike park in Vestlia with jumps and a pump track.
Fishing
Fishing licences are sold at the tourist information office, in sports shops and online at inatur.no. Good lakes nearby include Hakkesetvatnet and Halletjønn.
For families
- Geilojordet: A historic farmyard in the centre with a café, exhibitions and a playground in summer.
- Geilo sommerpark: Climbing park, zipline and disc golf.
Practical
- Emergency numbers: Fire 110, police 112, ambulance 113.
- Out-of-hours doctor: Call 116 117. Geilo legesenter (medical centre) handles urgent cases during the day.
- Tourist information: In the Reiselivssenteret building in Geilo centre, tel. +47 32 09 59 00. Sells maps and DNT cabin keys.
Suppliers in Geilo
When suppliers sign up, they'll appear here: cleaning, caretakers, firewood, transport, guides and restaurants.
Run a business in Geilo? Become a supplier and get jobs from the cabin owners here.
Become a supplierHave a cabin in Geilo?
Get firewood, beds, groceries and dinner ready before you arrive, and keep the calendar and shared kitty in order.