Valdresflye

Valdresflye carries route 51 across an open high plateau at over 1,300 metres between Valdres and Sjodalen, and its character is emptiness: bare rock, bog, small lakes and long views west to the Jotunheimen peaks with almost no trees or buildings for tens of kilometres. It is the second-highest mountain pass road in Norway after Sognefjellet, and it forms one of the national scenic routes, with designed rest stops including the Vargebakkane viewpoint. The road gives access to the Bessheim and Gjendesheim trailheads for Besseggen, which is why it fills with walkers' cars on summer mornings. It closes for the winter, usually from December to April, and can shut in autumn storms.

What you actually see

• The open plateau - bare high ground with lakes and almost no trees.
• The Jotunheimen skyline - the peaks visible west across the plateau.
• The scenic route stops - designed viewpoints and rest areas.
• The Besseggen access - the road serving Gjendesheim and the ridge trailheads.

When to go

June to September; the road opens once snow clearance allows, usually in May, and closes for winter. Early summer leaves snow banks along the roadside. Autumn colour on the plateau is brief and intense in September.

Honest expectations

The road closes for four to five months a year and can shut in bad weather at short notice. There are no services along most of the crossing. Traffic from Besseggen walkers congests the Gjendesheim end in July and August.

Nearby

Gjende, Besseggen and Knutshoe are at the northern end; Beitostolen and Valdres lie south.