Contestant info > Trail description
Trail description FL-1200
| Stage | Out | In | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start Alta | Jergul | 120 |
| 3 | Jergul | Levajok 1 | 121 |
| 4 | Levajok 1 | Bonakas | 128 |
| 5 | Bonakas | Neiden 1 | 125 |
| 6 | Neiden 1 | Kirkenes | 72 |
| 8 | Kirkenes | Neiden 2 | 115 |
| 9 | Neiden 2 | Varangerbotn | 82 |
| 10 | Varangerbotn | Sirbma | 102 |
| 11 | Sirbma | Karasjok | 143 |
| 12 | Karasjok | Jotka | 82 |
| 13 | Jotka | Finish Alta | 49 |
| Total: | 1139 |
Alta (Start) – Jergul 120 km
The start goes from Markedsgata down to the Alta River, which is followed for approximately 16 km. At Sorrisniva, the trail leaves the Alta River before a climb of four kilometers, then continues through gently rolling terrain in Bollo before another ascent up to the Finnmarksvidda plateau. From this point on, the route crosses mountain terrain over open plateaus and lakes.
About halfway through the stage, the terrain transitions into more sheltered sparse forest, which is suitable for resting.
The final part of the stage runs through a light mix of sparse forest, lakes/small rivers, and easy plateau terrain. There are no major elevation differences.
Jergul – Levajok 121 km
The trail follows a public snowmobile route that also runs along the Lesjohka–Karasjohka and the Tana River all the way to the checkpoint in Levajok. Karasjok, which is the checkpoint on the return leg, is passed on the river beneath the bridge right near the center of Karasjok.
Levajok – Bonakas approx. 125 km
From Levajok, after three kilometers on the river, the trail climbs straight up to the high mountains. It is a steep ascent above the tree line. From the highest point, the terrain is fairly flat across several lakes until descending back into the birch forest and heading toward the Masjok bridge, then out onto the river down to Bonakas and Tana Upper Secondary School.
The area can be exposed to harsh weather conditions, and it is often very windy. The checkpoint is located at Tana Upper Secondary School in Bonakas.
Bonakas – Neiden 1 approx. 125 km
The terrain is fairly flat and gently rolling through birch forest all the way to Neiden fjellstue. Several lakes are passed along the way, the two largest being Diergijavri and Gallotjavri.
During the first half of the stage, the trail runs quite close to the E6 highway for a few kilometers, and on clear days the Arctic Ocean can be seen. In the area around Varangerbotn / Karlebotn, the snow may be blown away for approximately 2–3 km. Long stretches of the route follow a public snowmobile trail.
Neiden 1 – Kirkenes 72 km
The trail partly runs through hilly terrain, as well as along rivers, across lakes, and over small mountains. The checkpoint is located in the center of Kirkenes at the Scandic Kirkenes hotel.
Kirkenes – Neiden 2, 115 km
The stage in Pasvik is a mix of beautiful old pine forest, across lakes, and hilly terrain. The highest peak in Pasvik is passed along the way; it is called Rádjoaivi. Large parts of the route follow a public snowmobile trail as well as the patrol track used by the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Neiden 2 – Varangerbotn 82 km
For most of the way to the Karlebotn area, the trail follows the same route as on the way to Neiden 1. In Karlebotn, the trail runs very close to the E6 highway and continues along a public snowmobile trail all the way to the checkpoint in Varangerbotn.
Varangerbotn – Sirbma approx. 110 km
The first section from Varangerbotn runs through gently rolling birch forest and down onto the Tanaelva, passing Tana Bru and continuing downstream to the Masjok bridge. The route partly follows the same trail as from Levajok until it turns off toward Sirma, continuing through lightly hilly terrain to Sirma community house, which serves as the checkpoint.
Sirbma – Karasjok approx. 142 km
The trail climbs steeply up into the mountains toward Levajok. It follows the public snowmobile trail for 7–8 km before turning south toward the trail coming from Levajok. This can be a very weather-exposed area.
The route descends onto the river three kilometers before Levajok fjellstue and then follows the river for approximately 85 km to the checkpoint in Karasjok.
Karasjok – Jotka 82 km
From this checkpoint, the trail follows the Karasjok River for approximately 12 km up to Assebakte. Under the bridge, it joins the public snowmobile trail, which is followed almost all the way to Alta. Most of the route runs through high mountain terrain, including the potentially harsh “hundevidda,” which can be challenging in this area.
Two mountain lodges are passed along the way: Ravnastua and Mollisjok. Both lodges are open and staffed but are not checkpoints. The final checkpoint is at Jotka fjellstue.
Jotka – Finish in Alta 49 km
The public snowmobile trail is followed for most of the distance all the way down to Detsika, approximately 30 km. The first part passes through open mountain terrain. Further down, the trail goes through birch forest, which then transitions into pine forest. There is a steep descent from Detsika down to the Alta River. The trail reaches the river at Sorrisniva and follows it downstream to the town center and the finish line, approximately 18 km.
The “No Man’s Land” section is from the bridge in Øvre-Alta, about 7 km before the finish. The approach to the finish is the same route used when starting from the beginning.
ENJOY YOUR RIDE!
Trail description FL-600
| Stage | Out | In | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start Alta | Masi | 135 |
| 2 | Masi | Jergul | 106 |
| 3 | Jergul | Levajok | 129 |
| 4 | Levajok | Karasjok | 83 |
| 5 | Karasjok | Jotka | 82 |
| 6 | Jotka | Finish Alta | 49 |
| Total: | 584 |
Alta (Start) – Masi approx. 135 km
The start goes from Markedsgata down to the Alta River, which is followed for approximately 16 km. At Sorrisniva, the trail leaves the river and climbs for four kilometers, then passes through gently rolling terrain in the cabin area at Bollo before another ascent up to the Finnmarksvidda. From this point on, the route crosses mountain terrain over plateaus and lakes.
About halfway through the stage, the trail transitions into more sheltered sparse forest, which is suitable for resting along the route.
Masi – Jergul approx. 106 km
From the checkpoint in Masi, the trail begins in hilly terrain, then follows rivers, lakes, and the public snowmobile trail for almost the entire route, only interrupted in a few places where the trail diverts for safety reasons—for example, at road crossings that go under bridges instead of over the road.
Jergul – Levajok approx. 129 km
The trail follows the river down to Karasjok, passes under a road, and then continues through a mixed section of forest, marshes, and some mountainous areas before descending toward Levajok fjellstue. This is a long stage, with the final part expected to be particularly demanding.
Levajok – Karasjok approx. 83 km
River stage. The trail follows the Tana River upstream to the Karasjok River and continues to under the bridge, where the trail turns off, passes through the town center, and reaches the Scandic Kirkenes.
Karasjok – Jotka approx. 82 km
From the checkpoint, the trail follows the Karasjok River for about 12 km up to Assebakte. Under the bridge, it joins the public snowmobile trail, which is followed almost all the way to Alta. Most of the route runs through high mountain terrain, including the potentially harsh “hundevidda,” which can be challenging in this area.
Two mountain lodges are passed along the way: Ravnastua and Mollisjok. Both lodges are open and staffed but are neither checkpoints nor dog drop points. The final checkpoint is at Jotka fjellstue.
Jotka – Finish in Alta approx. 49 km
The public snowmobile trail is followed for most of the way all the way down to Detsika, approximately 30 km. The first part passes through open mountain terrain. Further down, the trail goes through birch forest, which then transitions into pine forest. There is a steep descent from Detsika down to the Alta River. The trail reaches the river at Sorrisniva and follows it downstream to the town center and the finish line, approximately 18 km.
The “No Man’s Land” section starts from the bridge in Øvre-Alta, about 7 km before the finish. The approach to the finish follows the same route used at the start.
ENJOY YOUR RIDE!
Trail description FL-junior
| Stage | Out | In | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Start Alta | Jotka 1 | 49 |
| 2 | Jotka 1 | Suossjavre | 48 |
| 3 | Suossjavre | Jotka 2 | 53 |
| 4 | Jotka 2 | Finish Alta | 59 |
| Total: | 199 |
Alta (Start) – Jotka 1 approx. 49 km
The starting point is Alta town center. From here, the trail descends onto Aronnesflata before crossing a relatively significant county road, which is, of course, monitored by guards. From there, the trail continues down to the Alta River, a couple of kilometers below the bridges and campsites in Øvre-Alta. The route then follows the river upstream until reaching the Sorrisniva Bridge. This is the well-known Ice Hotel and restaurant.
From Sorrisniva, after passing under the bridge, an old tractor road climbs up to Detsika. In total, this section ascends 3.5 km with a climb of over 300 meters. The trail passes over Langvannet and up past Bollobekken to Gamasvannet, gaining 170 meters. On top of Gamasvarre, the trail descends to Sivertvannet before crossing a construction road and continuing over the Joatkavannene to reach the mountain lodge where the checkpoint is located.
Jotka mountain lodge
This is classified as a wilderness checkpoint, offering water, straw, and the option to stay in a heated tent or room.
Jotka 1 – Suossjavri, ragis approx. 48 km
From Jotka, we follow the main snowmobile trail southeast. After approximately 12 km, the route reaches Finnmark’s largest lake, Lesjavre. At Vahttaluokta, the trail turns directly south toward Ragis and the Suossjavre fjellstue, which serves as the checkpoint.
Suossjavre mountain lodge
Suossjavre fjellstue is one of the longstanding institutions on the plateau and also a key location in the Finnmarksløpet. It serves as a supply station, providing straw for the dogs and cold water. For the mushers, there is an opportunity to rest a little and get something to eat.
Suossjavri – Jotka 2 Iesjavre ca. 53 km
The trail along the river from Suossjavre fjellstue to Mollisjok runs through the valley and is relatively sheltered from the weather.
The section from Mollisjok Fjellstue to Jotka fjellstue can be one of the most weather-exposed parts of the entire race. About 8 km after Mollisjok Fjellstue, the route reaches Lesjavre, Finnmark’s largest lake, which is approximately 10–11 km long, before coming ashore at Vahttaluokta and rejoining the trail previously used from Jotka. The route then follows this trail back to the checkpoint at Jotka 2.
Jotka mountain lodge
Jotka fjellstue (mountain lodge) also has the status of a wilderness checkpoint, offering water, straw, and the option to stay in a heated tent or room.
Jotka 2 – Finish in Alta approx. 49 km
Here, the trail is the same as the starting section, except for the actual approach into Alta town center. We enter the finish along the same route used when leaving the start.
The “No Man’s Land” section begins at the Øvre-Alta Bridge, approximately 7 km from the finish.
ENJOY YOUR RIDE!