A circular route round the lake with starting points in Geilo and Vestlia. It's a gentle undulating route with the option of taking a short cut across the frozen lake if you don’t want to complete the complete circuit. 

This is one of the most popular tours in the Geilo area, it's a gentle ascent and descent (300m total) so suitable for novices with a good level of fitness. The tour follows the same track back and forth, so there are no surprises with steep hills.

Most of the track is on a road, which is why this tour is available early in the season. 

There are several ways to reach Havsdalen. You can drive there with your own car, take the early morning ski bus, or use the Geiloheisen chairlift (purchase a one-way ticket at Slaatta Skisenter). If none of these options suit you, you can start on the cross-country track from Slaatta Skisenter or behind Bardøla Fjelltun. 

At the Havsdalen parking area start by heading towards the ski lift on your right-hand side. After a short while, the groomed cross-country tracks veer to the left, leading you through a farm area that still operates active summer farms. Keep an eye out for the impressive Havsdalen Stone on your right-hand side, which holds a significant historical background. The trail gradually ascends towards the Hallingskarvet National Park. Take moments to pause and enjoy the view along the way.

You'll pass by a red emergency box, which in the past was accessed by the local Red Cross for equipment. 

At the next crossing point, continue heading west. If you turn right, you'll descend into the picturesque valley Budalen. As you approach Hallingskarvet, the panoramic views expand, offering glimpses of the vastness of the neighboring National Park Hardangervidda. 

Almost by the feet of the mountain, you'll encounter the red-painted Prestholt café, offering warm drinks and delicious food. Feel free to step inside to experience the area's traditional architecture and meet the local people who work here. 

Nicola skied this trail in Spring 2023. Her notes are as follows - From Havsdalen car park/ski bus stop, the trail starts to left of the downhill piste: look out for a signpost. This is an exposed trail across the high plateau that ends at the super-cute Prestholt mountain hut café where (at weekends and in peak season) you can get soup, hot drinks and a cinnamon bun. Spectacular scenery and a fun route. Trails carry on towards Hallingskarvet and Ustaoset if you’re looking for a long-distance route.

On the return, either catch the ski bus (timetable here: ) or ski down the side of the blue downhill piste into Geilo. There’s a ski bar at Havsdalen that serves food and drinks

More background information on this route.

This is a picturesque tour up and round the Budalsvatnet lake. You can shorten it by crossing round the west side of the lake or carry on to the Vestreim hut (open periodically – check their Facebook page). From Havsdalen car park/ski bus stop, head up the right hand side of the alpine piste and look out for the signpost off to the right, through cabins and birch wood forest. Don’t miss the left hand turn off the road after around half a km. You’ll reach a junction after 1.5km where you can decide whether to take the clockwise or anti-clockwise route. Southern part of the loop is quite exposed so beware cold, windy weather.