MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE FOR MTB BIKERs

MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCE
FOR MTB BIKERs
Birken – World’s largest MTB race
PRODUCT MANUAL
1. Race & entry
2. Accommodation
3. Transport
4. Activities
5. Packages
Rena – Lillehammer, Norway, 94 km
1. Race & entry
Birkebeinerrittet is the world’s largest MTB
event, and more than 17 000 bikers
participate in the 94 km race every year.
The course passes through impressive
mountain, forest and valley settings from the
village of Rena to the Olympic city of
Lillehammer. Both elite and recreational
bikers enjoy this journey.
UltraBirken. A real challenge for MTB
bikers. Starting in Rena and finishing in
Lillehammer, the course consists of 120
km of trails in mountain terrain up to 2000
m.a.s.l. The winner’s time is usually between 5½ to 6 hours. Course map available
as soon as the route is finalized.
In 1206, two wa
rriors skied the inf
ant prince Haak
over the mountai
on Haakonsson
ns to safety, from
Lillehammer to Re
to Trondheim. Th
na and further
e race commemor
ates that heroic jou
participants mu
st carry a 3.5 kg
rney, and
ba
ck
pack to symbolize
of the baby.
the weight
Online registration available at:
www.birkebeiner.no/English/Online-registration1
Foreign participants can register up to one week prior to race date.
START RENA 224 m.a.s.l.
BIRKEBEINERRITTET 94,6 km
1000
Elgåsen
Rosinbakken
900
800
700
Storåsen
FINISH LILLEHAMMER 261 m.a.s.l.
- Håkons Hall
SERVICE
Kvarstad
SERVICE
Skramstadsætra
SERVICE
Bringbusætra
600
00:00
500
400
300
ASPHALT
km 10
GRAVELLED ROAD
20
PATH / TRACTOR ROAD
30
SERVICE
40
50
60
70
80
90
2. Accommodation
Hafjell
LILLEHAMMER
Sjusjøen
RENA
Rica Hotel Hamar
Rica Hotel Hamar is centrally
located 4 km north of Hamar
centre near E6 and only a one
hour’s drive from Oslo Airport
Gardermoen and Lillehammer.
The hotel stands out as an
all-round, pleasant hotel, with 176 newly renovated
rooms in all categories, all with shower/bath, TV, video,
mini bar and wireless Internet. The hotel is certified with
the official Nordic Ecolabel. Free parking and Internet.
www.rica-hotels.com
10 km
Elverum
Hamar
A. HOTELS
Rena region
Østerdalen Hotell
Located 4 km north of Rena
village and the start of the
Birkebeineritt. Restaurants and
all facilities for bikers. MTB trails
from the hotel. Free Internet.
www.osterdalenhotell.no
Søndre Løsset
Family-run hotel with 16 comfortable single rooms incl. bathroom
in historical buildings. Ideal for
groups wishing to experience
Norwegian rural culture. Highstandard kitchen. Located 25 km
north of Rena village.
www.sondrelosset.no
Hamar/Elverum region
Rica Elgstua Hotel
Brand new Rica Elgstua Hotel,
opening on June 1st.
110 rooms with inspiration
and design from surrounding
nature. Elgstua is among the
best “Moose restaurants” in the
world, serving dishes from traditional Norwegian kitchen.
300 m from the Elverum train and bus station. Wide range
of activities with hiking and bike trails. 30 km from Rena
and 95 km to Lillehammer.
www.elgstua.no
Lillehammer region
l
Hunderfossen Hotell & Resort
Located 15 km north of
Lillehammer center, the hotel has
40 rooms and is characterized
by a pleasant, traditional atmosphere, representing the best of
local building culture. The rooms
are tastefully decorated. A cozy
lobby with fireplace, bar, restaurant and saunas. Close
to Hunderfossen Family Park, high ropes course and
Hafjell Bike Park.
www.hunderfossenhotell.no
Rustad Hotel
Located on the Birkebeiner track
in the mountain village of
Sjusjøen, Rustad Hotell &
Fjellstue offers 46 rooms and an
excellent atmosphere. Sjusjøen is
situated approx. 20 km. northeast
of Lillehammer, about 850 metres
above sea level. It is surrounded by lovely forest and
mountain terrain featuring many fantastic MTB trails.
www.rustadhotel.com
Rica Victoria Hotel Lillehammer
Lillehammer Rica Victoria Hotel
is centrally located in the Olympic
town on the popular main
pedestrian street “Storgaten”.
The town is known for its charming old wooden houses. Close to
the railway and bus station.
www.rica-hotels.com
B. CHALETS AND APARTMENTS
Lillehammer region
Hafjell Booking
Located in Hafjell, 15 km north
of Lillehammer, the site offers
200 high-standard cabins and
apartments, from 4 to 25 beds.
Close to Hafjell Bike Park and
a fantastic network of mountain
trails starting at the top of the
gondola.
www.hafjellbooking.com
Hunderfossen Hotell & Resort
Located 15 km north of
Lillehammer center, 27 highstandard chalets, from 2 to 8
beds, offering a good alternative for Birke-beiners. Short
distance to Hunderfossen hotel
and its facilities, Hunderfossen
Family Park, high ropes course
and Hafjell Bike Park.
3. Transport
Access to region
•Oslo Airport Gardermoen: 145 km to
Lillehammer, 130 km to Rena and
90 km to Hamar.
•Oslo (ferryboat from Kiel, Fredrikshavn
and Copenhagen): 180 km to
Lillehammer, 165 km to Rena and
130 km to Hamar.
•Train from Oslo, Oslo Airport
Gardermoen to Hamar, Lillehammer
and Hunderfossen.
•Access to Rena/start: Busses from
Hafjell/Øyer, Lillehammer, Hamar,
Elverum to Rena.
•Return from finish/Lillehammer to Rena,
Hafjell/Øyer, Elverum and Hamar by bus.
www.hunderfossenhotell.no
Sjusjøen Booking
Sjusjøen Booking 70 chalets
and apartments in the heart of
Sjusjøen’s MTB trail network,
located by the village center.
Good access to shops and the
Birkebeiner course.
Trondheim
www.sjusjoenbooking.no
Sjusjøen Hytteutleie
90 chalets and apartments
of high standard, 2-6 or 4-15
beds. Located in Sjusjøen,
and offering direct access to
MTB trail network. Close to the
Birkebeiner course.
www.sjusjoen.no
E6
Lillehammer
Hamar
Gardermoen
Oslo
Torp
Larvik
Rena
Elverum
Rygge
4. Activities
Moose safari Elverum
Norwegian Forestry Museum Elverum
Angling Lillehammer Elverum
Maihaugen Open-Air Museum Lillehammer
Wheelbob Lillehammer/Hafjell
Downhill biking Hafjell
High rope course Lillehammer/Hafjell
5. Packages:
5 and 7 days:
5 days Lillehammer region
Day 1: Arrival Lillehammer
Dinner and overnight
Day 2: Lillehammer
Options:
•MTB tour in the mountains of Sjusjøen to
become familiar with the terrain and
conditions of the Birkebeiner MTB race.
•Downhill biking at Hafjell, probably Europe’s
best downhill park.
•Visit Hunderfossen Family Park, the
Lillehammer Art Museum or
Maihaugen Open-air museum.
Dinner and overnight
Day 3: Lillehammer
Easy ride in the morning. We recommend
the mountains around Sjusjøen.
After lunch, visit Lillehammer and the
picturesque “Storgata”.
Then visit the Birkebeiner Exhibition at
Haakons Hall and collect your bib/chip.
Dinner and overnight
Day 4: Birkebeiner MTB Race
Early breakfast and transfer to Rena.
Start between 07:00 and 13:00 depending
on your seeding. Arrival at Haakons Hall
near the center of Lillehammer.
Shower/diploma, food, etc.
Transfer back to your hotel for
farewell dinner.
Day 5: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Same program also available with accommodation
in Hamar or Hafjell/ Hunderfossen
7 days Rena/Elverum region
Day 1: Arrival Elverum
Dinner and overnight
Day 2: Biking part of the course
Breakfast at hotel
Drive to Åsta and park car. Short ride to
Rena on road #3, and from Rena on the
Birkebeiner course to Skramstadsetra and
further to Djuoset. From Djuposet, easy ride
along the Åsta river back to the car
(45 km but can be extended)
Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Visit Elverum
Easy cycling trip in the morning.
After lunch, visit Elverum and the
Norwegian Forestry Museum .
Good angling facilities in Elverum region.
Dinner and overnight
Day 4: Biking part of the course
Drive from Elverum to Hamar and then
Gåsbu to Bringbusætra. Park your car there
and start biking on the Birken track to
Bjønn-åsbrua, Nysætra, Øyungen to
Kvarstad. From Kvarstad, scenic ride along
the Åsta river to Bjønnåsbrua and
Bringbusætra (38 km).
Return drive back to Elverum
Dinner and overnight
Day 5: Elverum
Easy cycling trip in the morning.
After lunch, drive to Rena to collect bib/chip
and visit the bike exhibition at Rena.
Dinner and overnight
Day 6: Birkebeiner MTB Race 94 km
Early breakfast and transfer to Rena.
Start between 07:00 and 13:00 depending
on your seeding. Arrival Haakons Hall near
center of Lillehammer. Shower/diploma,
food, etc.Transfer back to your hotel for
farewell dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Same program available with accommodation in
Rena or Hamar.
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +47 95824631
Local tourist offices:
Lillehammer: www.lillehammer.com
Hamar: www.hamarregionen.no
Elverum/Rena: www.visiter.no
www.birken.no
DM • Photo: Geir Olsen, Esben Haakenstad, Jørgen Skaug • 2013
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