Autumn in the mountains can be romantic, active, relaxing, fun and much, much more! At Geilo there are endless hiking opportunities, a great variety of activities, several great festivals and plenty of culinary experiences. With fantastic nature in autumn colours, high mountains and a sparkling fjord, everything is in order for you to have a memorable autumn trip. Let us show you what you absolutely must see and do when visiting Geilo!
Sissel, Ivar and the dogs are preparing for winter with dryland tours in beautiful Skurdalen, and they invite you to participaton the tour and training of the dogs. Here you get to join in the preparation of the dogs, a instruction of how to drive a cart and the tour itself of course. Ivar and the huskys are preparing for the winter long-distance races with dryland tours in the beautiful Skurdalen, and we Ivar is one of Norway's most experienced sleddogdrivers (mushers), so here you can ask everything you have to wonder about dog sledding and dogs. Sissel is on the national team in dog sledding and has been in the top for a few years now. Her dogs are of the faster type, so this tour is particularly suitable for those who have tried dog sledding before, but found it a bit boring and wanted a bit more excitement.
Rafting in one of the best rafting rivers in Europe can be found in Dagali! Numedalslågen is Norway's third longest river with a length of approx. 352 km with its source from Hardangervidda, the fresh crystal clear water from the national park flows through Dagali and further down Numedalen and finally flows into the sea at Larvik. The river has a varying river bed which means that it can offer something for everyone, from safe family rafting for the little ones to the more extreme experience with challenging rapids and wave surfing! Dagali is half an hour's drive from Geilo and the rafting season usually runs from the end of May to September/October.
A fishing experience for those who like to be outdoors and who love the taste of fish! These will be a few exciting hours where you will be able to take part in pulling nets from the boat, cleaning and gutting the fish. Then you take the fish and prepare a meal in the garden of the guide Hilde. Here you can enjoy the beautiful view over Hallingskarvet and Hardangervidda. During dinner there is also an element of Norwegian singing tradition. It's all rounded up with a cup coffee and some cake, as well as hot cocoa for the children and grilled marshmallows on the fire.
Feel the sensation of flying down the mountainside in Geilo. The zipline is a full 1100m long, and guarantees fun for the whole family! The zipline has a difference in height of 260 meters and at the beginning you hang in free fall for about 80 metres, before you are dropped over the edge where you can feel your pulse increase! The speed can reach up to 60 km/h. At the lowest point, you are only 2 meters above the ground, and at the highest point, you are as high as 35 meters. In the air, you will also be rewarded with a fantastic view towards Hallingskarvet National Park and over Geilo!
The last weekend in September, the stage is set for the annual wine festival in Geilo! The weekend starts with a "Wine Walk" on Friday afternoon, where you visit several wineries to taste and learn about wine from importers or producers. On Saturday there is a wine fair in the center of Geilo with several importers, producers and suppliers of wine and accessories, here there are opportunities for wine tasting, shopping and information. Saturday night it is the annual "Winemaker's Dinner", here wine importers/producers team up with restaurants and hotels in Geilo, to serve wine together with a fantastic gourmet meal!
In Geilo you will find several child- and family-friendly hotels, including Ustedalen Hotell & Resort, Vestlia Resort and Dr. Holms Hotel. Ustedalen Hotell & Resort is a central and pleasant hotel close to the best Geilo has to offer. They offer apartments and hotel rooms, as well as Restaurant Anno 2022, gym, swimming pool and sauna. Vestlia Resort and Dr. Holms Hotel are located on opposite sides of the center of Geilo. The hotels offer, among other things, a restaurant, gym, swimming pool, game room, bowling and much more. Both are also suitable for adults as they have their own spa and wellness area. Vestlia Resort is located in Vestlia, and right outside the door you will find a climbing park, zipline, cycle paths, pump track and much more. Dr. Holms Hotel is located in the city center and in the immediate vicinity of hiking opportunities, shops, cafes and restaurants.
Langedrag Nature Park offers meetings between man and animal in a unique way. Here you can visit wolves, lynx, arctic foxes, moose, reindeer and all the farm animals. At Langedrag you will meet over 200 animals divided into over 30 different species. Every day you will have the opportunity to feed wild boar, reindeer and moose in the morning and the predators wolf, lynx and arctic fox in the afternoon. In the yard and in the barn you get close to farm animals such as horses, cows, goats and rabbits. Langedrag also has large play areas for the children with a focus on "play and learning" via activities, nature trails, zipline, swings and sandbox all included in the entrance ticket. From Geilo to Langedrag it is a short drive of approx. 45 min.
In Hol, midway between Oslo and Bergen along FV 50, are Ostebygda (The Cheese Village) and Stundo - a village kitchen. They are located in the same premises as Hol Ysteri and the local food shop, here you can buy interesting local products from surrounding farms, as well as enjoy a steaming fresh coffee and "something tasty".
If there is one hike in Geilo that should be put on the "bucket list", it is this one! Prestholt trail, also called Prestholt stairs, was made by Sherpas in 2013. The hike is approx. 3 km one way, and parts of the trip consist of 2000 steps. The Sherpa stairs have made it easier for people to get to the top. At the top approx. 1705 m.a.s.l, you get a fantastic view of Hallingdal, Hardangervidda and in clear weather - all the way to Gaustatoppen. The hike up and down suits most people, and you do not have to walk all the way to the top, many choose to stop at Prestholtskaret at approx. 1600 meters above sea level. The tour starts at Prestholtseter, a café that serves baked goods and other homemade food.
The trips start at Geilo Horse Center in Vestlia in varying terrain at places such as Slaattahølen, Bruslettstølen and Gamle skurdalsvegen, depending on the duration of the tour. The 2-hour tour takes you out into the forest and the light trail network in Vestlia. If there are experienced riders with you, the guide adds some speed and excitement along the way! Their longest ride of 4 hours goes up the hill in varied terrain towards Kikut and Bruslettstølen. There is a short break on the tour where you can stretch your legs and where you will also be rewarded with a great view of Hallingskarvet!
