Hallingdal's mountain bike initiative celebrates 10-year anniversary

What happens when six destinations decide to become the best mountain bike region in Scandinavia? After ten years of collaboration, investment, volunteerism and commitment, Hallingdal Rides and Vannhull Hallingdal invited you to a nostalgic look back to the early start, a status of the impacts the initiative has made in the region - as well as a look at what might await in the next 10 years.

---

Photo: Magnus Grönberg

The event took place in Gol on May 23 and was inspiring and well-attended, with close to 80 participants from the municipality, tourism, volunteers and the mountain bike community. Through short presentations and an inspiring panel discussion, a good picture was drawn of both the major, overall results and what the initiative has meant for individuals and stakeholders in the region.

Here's a brief summary - and links to the presentations for those who want to dig deeper:

10 years in 10 minutes - Lars Wraae Jensen, Tråkk 'n' Roll SA/Hallingdal Rides

From a modest project start in 2015 to over 125 km of purpose built trails, 140 MNOK invested (incl. VAT), and Tråkk 'n' Roll SA established as a regional mountain bike coordination. A look back at the region's strategy, collaboration and dreams that became reality.

2. 2025.05.23 Waterhole Hallingdal, 10 years in 10 minutes.pdf

Download PDF - 16.98MB

The Impacts of the Mountain Bike Initiative in Hallingdal (TØI report) - Maria Gravsgård, Sats på Hallingdal/Regionrådet for Hallingdal

New figures from the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI) show that the cycling initiative has resulted in over 70,000 extra guest days and created ripple effects worth NOK 105 million in 2023 alone - despite a cycling harvest that was ruined by extreme weather. The health effects are estimated at as much as NOK 2.5 billion.

3. Presentation ripple effect analysis Waterhole 05-25.pdf

Download PDF - 611KB

Mountain biking as an impulse for local identity and
new business creation - Will Gibson, Any Excuse to Ride

With the Bear House café, the bike guiding company Any Excuse to Ride, and countless hours of professional and volunteer trail building, British William Gibson has helped shape both the local community and the mountain bike offer in Nesbyen.

4. AETR, Hallingdal Rides Presentation.pdf

Download PDF - 27.14MB

The Bike Revolution in Hemsedal IL - Brendan Mulholland, Hemsedail IL Sykkelgruppa

Organized kids bike training has created community and riding passion in Hemsedal. In five years, the number of mountain bike groms has grown from 0 to 110 - driven by new flow trails and local initiative. A clear example of how trail development has impacts far beyond tourism and business.

5. v2 Child bike training_Hemsedal_Presentation.pdf

Download PDF - 5.61MB

Trail Building as a Business Path - Duane Butcher, Stiteknikk AS

Stiteknikk started locally in Geilo and has grown into a national player. The expertise from the bike initiative in Hallingdal is now used on everything from flow trails and pump tracks to worn down and eroded hiking trails - and provides the basis for new year-round jobs in a seasonal job market.

6. Path technique_press_waterhole_2025.pdf

Download PDF - 54.61MB

Panel Discussion: Where Does the Path Lead in the Next 10 Years?

Led by Pål K. Medhus, important questions were raised about financing, public goods, new target groups and how Hallingdal can continue to be at the forefront - both as a tourism product and as an arena for quality of life and community.

Thank you to everyone who participated - and who has contributed over the past ten years!