The Birkebeinerrittet is founded on the same historical background as the Birkebeinerrennet.

In 1991/1992, the idea of a mountain bike race across the mountains came from Morten Østli, Snorre Moen, and Tor Fredriksen. They mapped out a course, largely the same as it is today, and on September 11, 1993, the idea became reality. At the time, mountain biking was beginning to establish itself among both recreational riders and active cyclists.

The very first Birkebeinerrittet in 1993 gathered 1,327 participants. Teenagers, seventy-year-olds, women, and men all pedaled the 82 km from Rena town square to Håkons Hall in Lillehammer.

Interest in the race has always been strong. From the very beginning, participation was capped, and the race sold out every year until 2015. The starting format, age categories, awards, and calculation of maximum times are the same as for the Birkebeinerrennet.

Cyclists must also carry a 3.5 kg backpack, symbolizing Prince Håkon, whom Torstein Skjevla and Skjervald Skrukka carried across the mountains in 1206. The backpack must also contain equipment useful for the journey, such as food, drink, clothing, and repair tools.

The Birkebeinerrittet is one of the world’s largest mountain bike races, with up to 17,000 participants at its peak. Participants were spread across the main Birkebeinerrittet, FredagsBirken (2008–2016), HalvBirken (2015–2022), UltraBirken Sykkel (2010–2022), UngdomsBirken (since 2006), and BarneBirken Sykkel.

 

The Course

Today, the Birkebeinerrittet is 84 km long, starting in the center of Rena and heading westward toward Lillehammer. Riders follow Åsbygdsveien to Vivelstadsvea, with the first 10 km on paved road. After about 10 km, the course continues on wide gravel roads until Djuposet, where it connects to the old route. After the forest/walk section, the trail continues for about 4 km on forest and gravel roads to the food station at Bringbusætra.
See course description

 

Course Development – From 1993 Until Today

1993 and 1994
Route: Rena–Vivelstadsvea–Åstadalen–Djuposet–Stangvollen–Åstadalen–Kvarstad–Sjusjøen–Tyria–Sjøsetervn–Håkons Hall. Distance: 80 km.

1995–1999
Course was rerouted via Skramstadsetra due to the Vesleofsen flood, which destroyed parts of the road in Åstadalen. Distance: 82 km.

2000
Rerouted via Breborg–Bekkemellom and through Kråleråa–Nysætra–Øyungen. Distance: 89 km.

2008
Rerouted from Tyria via Svartbekken. Distance: 91 km.

2009–2016
New start in Rena. Riders cycled north along Koppangvegen before reconnecting with the old course at Åsbygdsveien. Distance: 92 km.

2016
Course rerouted between Bjønnåsen and Nysætra, shortened by 3 km. From Storåsen down to Avskåkålia, shortened by another 3 km. This eliminated 5 km of asphalt riding. The course was established along existing ski tracks from Sjusjøen down to Svartbekkvegen. Distance: 86 km.

2018
Course adjusted at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium to avoid the parking area. It now follows the floodlit ski trail for about 1 km until it joins VIP Road. This section is slightly hilly.

2019
New location for the food station at Skramstadsetra. The course passed through the farm itself via Turistvegen (about 300 m longer). Distance: 86 km.

2023
The race celebrated its 30th anniversary and returned to the original early section of the route from 1993–1994. Riders went via Vivelstadsvea down into Åstadalen and back up to the walk section at Djuposet. The distance was shortened by 2 km, and the technical rocky sections from Svartåfloen down to Djuposet were replaced with smooth gravel roads. Distance: 84 km.