Updated 28/08/2024 Text: Birken, Photo: Bjørn Ballangrud

Welcome to UltraBirken cycle, which is back and will be held for the 12th time on Saturday August 31st.
You can look forward to trail cycling in beautiful nature starting at Pellestova and finishing at Håkons Hall.

This year's Ultra track is 110,7 km
The final track is now set after new inspections in the mountains this weekend. It has rained a lot in recent days and some of the sections are so wet that the track committee, in dialogue with the landowners, has decided to reduce the track to 110,4 km and not 122 km as originally planned. As the conditions are in the mountains now after a lot of rain, this shortening of the track, as we consider it, also makes sense in relation to the experience and expected finish time for all of you participants.

The route goes through many of the most famous and popular paths in the area and our path finder Bjørn Ballangrud estimates that the chosen track consists of about 66 % gravel 33% path and 1% asphalt. The expected winning time is estimated to about 4:15-4:30 h.

NOTE: Load two Strava tracks due to crossings in the trail
This year's edition of UltraBirken has several places where the trail either crosses each other or where parts of the route are used twice. Due to this, certain units may have problems choosing the right path. To prevent this, you can load part 1 and part 2 of the UltraBirken track and switch tracks along the way.

Part 1 is about 33 km, while part 2 is about 78 km. If you want to make use of this, you must familiarize yourself well with how to change sports on your device. It is extremely important that you load both part 1 and part 2.

Track description
This year's track starts with a longer section on gravel interrupted by some shorter sections of path before starting after about 16 km on a long period of Øyerfjellet's most beautiful trail cycling. After 36 km, you return to the start at Pellestova and the race changes character to include longer stretches of gravel and easier trail in beautiful surroundings. When you have cycled 76 km, you will face a tough challenge in the form of a longer path that makes you dig deep in your strength before you suddenly will meet thousands of the cyclists who have cycled from Rena in Birkebeinerrittet. Now you have to follow the same track as Birkebeinerrittet for a longer period, but pay attention, because after 99 km you have to go out on the narrow path again and follow the track for UngdomsBirken until you cross the finish line at Håkons Hall in Lillehammer.

Note NEW in 2024  - Important:
All competitors must download correct GPS-track when it is released, and follow the correct track.
It is the competitors own responsibility to cycle the correct UltraBirken track and see to that their navigation equipment has sufficient power during the race.

Backpack and race rules
All competitors must carry a backpack. For safety reasons there are special rules for clothes and equipment that you must bring when participating in UltraBirken.
Please find information in the race rules for UltraBirken cycle

Bus to the start at Pellestova
We recommend that you book bus from Håkons Hall to the start at Pellestova.
The bus departs 06.30 on Saturday morning and mus be booked in advance from your My Page.

We hope that you will have a great day in the mountains on Saturday Aigust 31st