Mjåvatn: Ski Trails, Cycling Routes and Historic Cultural Landscape

Mjåvatn brings together different aspects of a trip: ski loops in the surrounding area, cycling and hiking routes with notable elevation changes, and a historic cultural landscape at Lomåsen. You can tailor your stay to whether you want to spend time outdoors, explore a cycling route, or discover old buildings and the history of a former smallholding. When choosing a holiday apartment, this mix is a helpful starting point: consider which experiences you want to focus on during your trip.

Winter loops near Øynaheia

In the area around Mjåvatn, Øynaheia and Toplandsheia form a regionally important recreation area. The well-maintained network of ski trails makes the area an attractive destination, especially in winter. At Øynaheia, there are ski loops measuring 2.2 km, 7.0 km, 14.6 km and 16.5 km. The options range from a shorter loop to a considerably longer route. If you’re travelling with others, you can choose your planned loop according to the preferred distance rather than having everyone commit to the same mileage.

Lomåsen and the history of the farm

Lomåsen is the oldest croft on the Mjåvatn farm. The term here refers to a former smallholding. The main building at Lomåsen dates from 1760, and the buildings have been restored. There was also a desire to restore Lomåsen’s historic cultural landscape. Many hikers make a detour there to see the old buildings and this cultural landscape. The visit thus combines a walk with a glimpse into the history of the farm.

The historic road between Mjåvatn and Herefoss also tells the story of an older connection: it was built between 1879 and 1881. On your trip, you can choose between an excursion to the cultural landscape at Lomåsen and an interest in historic roads. Anglers occasionally come to the pond at Lomåsen to try their luck. Hiking, fishing and the old buildings are different reasons to include Lomåsen in your travel plans.

Cycling and hiking routes with varied elevation profiles

The Bukkene-Bruse cycling route via Mjåvatn has a total ascent of just over 1,000 metres. After Mjåvatn, the route descends. These details give you a concrete point of reference when planning a ride with a substantial climb. On a two-day cycling and hiking tour to Skarsvassbu, the steepest climb, from Osedalen to Mjåvatn, comes right at the beginning. After Mjåvatn, the route continues relatively evenly through the valleys. The two route descriptions therefore highlight different aspects: one focuses on the total elevation gain and the descent after Mjåvatn; the other on the climb at the start and the subsequent stretch through the valleys.

If you’re looking for a holiday apartment for an active stay, these tours may influence your decision to choose Mjåvatn. Would you rather cycle a route with more than 1,000 metres of climbing, or plan a two-day cycling and hiking tour where the steepest climb comes at the start? Together with the ski loops and the cultural detour to Lomåsen, these routes offer specific trip ideas that you can weigh according to your interests.

Getting there and finding your way

To reach Øynaheia, take the FV42 to Mjåvatn, then continue for about 6 km to Øynaheia. If you’re driving from Osedalen to Mjåvatn on the RV42, be aware that some sections are busy and winding. These two notes concern different stretches: the first describes the road continuing to Øynaheia, while the second refers to the route from Osedalen to Mjåvatn. When planning your accommodation and excursions, you can take the routes mentioned into account and choose whether to focus your trip on winter loops, cycling routes or Lomåsen’s cultural landscape.

More destinations: Hynnekleiv, Froland, Frolands Verk, Mykland.

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