Trail description

Trail description FL-1200

Stage	Out	In	Km
1	Start Alta	Jergul	125
3	Jergul	Levajok 1	121
4	Levajok 1	Skiippagurra	105
5	Skiippagurra	Neiden 1	92
6	Neiden 1	Kirkenes	61
8	Kirkenes	Neiden 2	130
9	Neiden 2	Varangerbotn	82
10	Varangerbotn	Levajok 2	121
11	Levajok 2	Karasjok	83
12	Karasjok	Jotka	115
13	Jotka	Finish Alta	49
Total:			1084

Alta (Start) – Jergul 125 km

The start goes from Markedsgata down to the Alta river, which is followed for about 16 km. At Sorrisniva, the track takes off from Alta river and there is a climb for 4 kilometer’s, then through the field of cabins in Bollo before we get a new climb up to Finnmarksvidda. From now on, it is mountain terrain over plains and water.
Halfway through the stage, it changes to slightly more sheltered small forest terrain that is suitable for resting by the trail.
The last part of the stage is a light mixture of small forest terrain, water/small rivers and light plain terrain. There are no big differences in height.

Jergul – Levajok 121 km

The trail is on public snowmobile trail which also follows Iesjohka – Karasjohka and Tanaelva right up to checkpoint Levajok. Karasjok, which is the checkpoint on return, passes on the river below the bridge just next to Karasjok center.

Levajok – Skiippagurra 105 km

From Levajok the trail goes 5 km after the river and than straight up to the high mountain. A sharp rise to above the tree line. From the highest point, it is quite flat terrain over several lakes until you reach the birch forest again approx. halfway to Tana bru. The area is weather exposed and it often blows a lot. Checkpoint is at Skiippagurra, a few km past Tana Bru.

Skiippagurra – Neiden 1, 92 km

Trail goes in reasonably flat and light forest terrain, right up to the Neiden mountain lodge. More lakes passes. The two largest are Diergijavri and Gallotjavri. During the first half the trail goes quite close to the E6 road a few km and the sea can be seen on a bright day. This is also the only place where the snow can be blown away approx. 2-3 km. Long stretches follow public scooter trail.

Neiden 1 – Kirkenes 61 km

A mix of highland terrain with som hills, lakes and rivers.

Kirkenes – Neiden 2, 130 km

The longest stage in Finnmarksløpet’s history. A mix of beautiful old pine forest, river crossing and hilly terrain. The highest peak in Pasvik is passed, it is called Radjoaivi. Large parts of the route run along the public snowmobile track and the patrol track of the Norwegian army.

Neiden 2 – Varangerbotn 82 km

Mostly all the way to the Karlebotn area is the same trail as on the way to Neiden 1. In Karlebotn, the trail goes quite close to the E6 road and it varies year by year whether the trail goes over the sea or follows the public trail until the checkpoint in Varangerbotn.

Varangerbotn – Levajok II approx. 121 km

The trail goes straight back to Levajok without going through Sirbma as a checkpoint. This means that the trail already at Båteng enters the mountain and hits the same trail as on the way to Kirkenes and which is followed to Levajok 2. Large parts are high mountain and hard. The first part from Varangerbotn is the small hilly birch forest and Tanaelva up to Hillagurra / Båteng.

Levajok 2 – Karasjok approx. 83 km

Same run on Tana river up to Karasjok river and up to under bridge where the trail takes off and passes through the center up to Scandic Hotel where it is the checkpoint and the last compulsory rest.

Karasjok – Jotka 115 km

From the checkpoint and the same route towards Jergul as in the first part of the race. Also the same way back to Suossjavri. From Suossjavri, follow the small river past Nedre Mollisjok and up to Øvre Mollisjok. It is possible to rest, buy straw, fetch water and gain access to a warm, shared dormitory in Øvre Mollisjok. This is the state’s mountain lodge and the caretaker can be contacted in advance. This is not an official checkpoint organized by Finnmarksløpet. From Mollisjok there is exposed mountain terrain with planes and lakes to checkpoint Joatka.

Jotka – Finish in Alta 49 km

Public scooter trail most of the stretch right down to Detsika, approx. 30 km. The first part is open mountain terrain. Further down comes the birch forest, which is replaced by pine forest. It is steeply down from Detsika to Alta river. The trail comes down to the river at Sorissniva and the river is followed down to the city center and the goal. About. 16 km. No man’s land is from the bridge in Øvre Alta. Driving in to the finish line is the same as the one driving out from the start, i.e. the opposite way from previous years.

HAVE A NICE TRIP!

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Trail description FL-600

Stage	Out	In	Km
1	Start Alta	Kautokeino	168
2	Kautokeino	Jergul	100
3	Jergul	Levajok	127
4	Levajok	Karasjok	83
5	Karasjok	Jotka	82
6	Jotka	Finish Alta	49
Total:			609

Alta (Start) – Kautokeino approx. 168 km

The start goes from Markedsgata down to the Alta river, which is followed for about 16 km. At Sorrisniva, the track takes off from Alta river and there is a climb for 4 kilometer’s, then through the field of cabins in Bollo before we get a new climb up to Finnmarksvidda. From now on, it is mountain terrain over plains and water.
Halfway through the stage, it changes to slightly more sheltered small forest terrain that is suitable for resting by the trail.
The next part of the stage is a light mixture of small forest terrain, water/small rivers and light plain terrain. There are no big differences in height. Last part is along the river towards Kautokeino.

Kautokeino – Jergul approx. 100 km

From the checkpoint in Kautokeino to the checkpoint in Jergul, the river, lakes and public snowmobile trail are followed, in all directions, only interrupted by a few places where the trails takes off due to safety reasons. Such as crossroads that are under bridge instead of over the road.

Jergul – Levajok approx. 127 km

The trail follows the rivers Lesjohka, Karasjohka down to Karasjok. Then a mix terrain of lowland forrest, swamp areas, lakes and some mountain areas. Mark, the last part can be pretty tough. It is also a long leg between checkpoints.

Levajok – Karasjok approx. 83 km

River run up all the way to Karasjok where the trail takes off and passes through the center up to Scandic Hotel where it is the checkpoint and the last compulsory rest.

Karasjok – Jotka approx. 82 km

From checkpoint and up Karasjok river approx. 12 km. to Assebakte. Under bridge up to public snowmobile trail which are almost fully followed to Alta. The trail goes mostly in the high mountains and weather can be difficult in this area. Two lodges are passed. Ravnastua and Mollisjok. Both lodges are open and serviced but not checkpoints or drops. Jotka Mountain Lodge is the last checkpoint.

Jotka – Finish in Alta approx. 49 km

Public snowmobile trail most of the stretch right down to Detsika, approx. 30 km. The first part is open mountain range. Further down comes the birch forest, which is replaced by pine forest. It is steeply down from Detsika to Alta river. The trail comes down to the river at Sorissniva and the river is followed down to the center and the goal, approx. 16 km. No man’s land is from the bridge in Øvre Alta. Driving in to the finish line is the same as the one driving out from the start, i.e. the opposite road from previous years.

HAVE A NICE TRIP!

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Trail description FL-junior

Stage	Out	In	Km
1	Start Alta	Jotka 1	49
2	Jotka 1	Suossjavre	53
3	Suossjavre	Jotka 2	48
4	Jotka 2	Finish Alta	59
Total:			199

Alta (Start) – Jotka 1 approx. 49 km

The starting point is Alta city center. From here the trail goes down to Aronnes before crossing a relatively significant county road, which of course has guards, and from there on to Altaelva, a few kilometers or so below the bridges and campsites in Øvre Alta. We’ll follow the river up until we reach Sorrisniva bridge. Here is the tourism company “Sorrisniva” with restaurant, and the famous Ice hotel.

From Sorrisniva, after driving underneath the bridge, there is an old tractor road up to Detsika. In total, it carries up 3.5 km with an increase of more than 300 m. At the top of the climb we cross over the marked dog trail. We drive over the Langvann and up past the Bollobekken to Gamasvannet. 170 m up on approx. 3 km. We are now in the blue marked winter trail. On top of Gamasvarre we change tracks before we drive down to Sivertvannet. We have now come up with the actual platau. Over the Joatavavans and into the lodge where there is a checkpoint.

The first part of the stretch, along the river up to the edge, is in woods and is partly protected from the weather. From Gamasvannet and to the checkpoint there are mountain parties that can be hard weather.

Jotka mountain lodge

Has status as a wilderness checkpoint. Water, straw and opportunity to stay in warm tents or rooms.

Jotka 1 – Suossjavri, Iesjavre approx. 53 km

From Jotka we follow the main route track southwards, after approx. 10 km we enter Finnmark’s largest lake, Lesjavre. After approx. 10 km. flat driving on the ice we have crossed the lake. Then we drive more or less on Izquok, a little mile southeast until we reach the Øvre Mollisjok Mountain lodge. The lodge is not a checkpoint, but a cozy mountain room where you can buy a soda during the daytime. Just after the lodge, it carries south, on the shores of Jutland for the most part. We follow the skier trail up to the control station at the old lodge in the south end of Suossjavre, just off the road between Karajok and Gievdnegoika.

Stretch from Joatka to Mollisjok Fjellstue is one of the most weather-hard stretches of the whole race. Stretch along the river from Mollisjok and to Suossjavre goes into the river valley and is relatively protected in terms of weather – except for the actual Suossjavre lake where it can blow freshly

Suossjavre mountain lodge

SUOSSJAVRE mountain lodge is one of the old institutions on the platau and also in Finnmarksløpet. Here is the depot station, straw to the dogs and cold water. For the riders it is possible to stretch a bit down and to have something to eat.

Suossjavri – Jotka 2, ragis approx. 48 km

From the lodge, the trail goes down to the river Vuoddashokka, we turn left over the river and follow the river a short distance until we have passed a slaughterhouse on the right hand. Here we drive on land and follow the marshes west of Rittavarri up to Ahkarjavri. From here we follow the crossroads further north over Ragesluobbalat and on to Ragesjavri. We follow the west bank of the water – and out of the water in the narrow arm of the northwest. Then it travels north over marshes and small waters west of Rahpesvarri until we dump into Iesjavri in Silljoluokta. Then it is along the west bank of Iesjavri to Vahttaluotka, here we find the trail used by all classes between Mollisjok and Jotka.

Jotka mountain lodge

Jotka 2 also has status as a wilderness checkpoint. Water, straw and opportunity to stay in warm tents or rooms.

Jotka 2 – Finish in Alta approx. 59 km

The trail here is the same as on start with the exception of the actual trail in to Alta center. We drive in to the goal the same way as we drove out.

HAVE A NICE TRIP!

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