Detailed course description – GravelBirken 100 km
Lillehammer- Bleka 0- 19.4km
The trail will exit onto Sjøsetervegen where there will be a neutral start. This road goes on a large gravel road. After a few kilometers you will turn off the road and onto a narrower gravel road which will also be rougher at times. When you get to the main road you will go up to Nattrudstilen after a few hundred meters. Here it will be asphalt for a few kilometers, through the ski stadium and out onto gravel again down to Bleka where there is the first food station.
Bleka - Bringbu 19.4 – 47.2km
From Bleka you will encounter a steeper climb with somewhat rougher surface. This road goes over to Grimstilen where you will cycle over a small bridge. From there it goes gently downhill until you exit onto Åstdalsvegen. Here it will go uphill for a while before you go down to Bjørnåsbrua and eventually Prestsætra. From here it is only a few kilometers before you reach Bringbu, where the next food station is.
Bringbu – Kvarstad 47,2-65,3 km.
Dirt road with gravel and narrow trails. You will pass the river Kråleråa over a bridge. Further the track continues on dirt road up to Bjønnåsen and then 2 km in beautiful surroundings (some of this part is single track) up to Nysetra and then to Øyungen (785 meters above sea level). Then it is a quick part down to Kvarstad (670 meters above sea level).
Kvarstad – Storåsen 65,3-84,7 km
From Kvarstad the track climbs on dirt road up Kvarstadsæterlia to Grunnbekken and Storstilen. After the bridge in the bottom of the hill, you will start climbing the famous Rosinbakkene. You will climb for approx. 1,4 km. Further, the course continues in hilly terrain to Aksjøen (860 meters above sea level) and to Elgåsen (900 meters above sea level. The track is still climbing up to the highest point Storåsen/Sjusjøen (955 meters above sea level.)
Storåsen – Håkons Hall, Lillehammer 84,7-106 km
After passing Storåsen the track goes mainly on dirt roads, and trails with gravels towards Nybu. Here you will face steep downhill cycling for approx.1 km. be aware that you are on a narrow trail with pebbles and demanding turns so take care and be considerate. After approx. 3 km the track goes steep downhill and turns in a sharp 180 degrees turn to the right at Avskåkalia into Sjøsetervegen. Sjøsetervegen towards Birkebeiner ski stadium is on asphalt and the speed can get high. The road can be in bad condition – be aware of holes and dumps.
In to Birkebeineren Skistadion and further to Kroken the track is dirt road and trails. Then it changes to asphalt steep downhill with some sharp turns until the top of the famous Ballettbakken. Ballettbakken is a steep downhill on gravel. You will finish the race on asphalt and forest path down Gamle Nordseterveg and finish line at Håkons Hall, Lillehammer (290 meters above sea level).