---
title: "Valdresrittet — guide to the cycling race at Vaset"
description: "Valdresrittet: 53 km MTB and gravel with 932 m elevation gain. Three courses (53/22/11 km). Registration, training plan and tips for Valdres' biggest cycling race — part of Valdrestrippelen in July."
type: guide
category: arrangementer
tags: [valdresrittet, valdrestrippelen, vaset, ritt, sykkelritt, mtb, gravel, konkurranse, arrangement]
date: "2026-03-13"
relatedRoutes: [vaset-panorama-gravel, panoramavegen, vaset-stol-rundtur, vaset-stol-familierunde]
relatedPlaces: [vaset, beitostolen]
---

# Valdresrittet — cycling race in the heart of mountain farm country

Valdresrittet is a mountain bike race starting and finishing at Vaset Stadion. 53 km through one of Norway's most active mountain farming areas — singletrack, gravel roads, punishing climbs and fast descents. Part of [Valdrestrippelen](https://www.valdrestrippelen.no), which also includes a ski race and a running event.

<AnswerBox question="What is Valdresrittet?" answer="Valdresrittet is a mountain bike race covering 53 km with 932 m of elevation gain, starting and finishing at Vaset Stadion in Valdres. Three courses are available: 53 km, 22 km and 11 km. The event is part of Valdrestrippelen and takes place in July. Registration at valdrestrippelen.no." />

---

## The courses — three distances for all levels

Valdresrittet offers three courses, all starting and finishing at Vaset Stadion. The terrain is varied, featuring singletrack, gravel roads and mountain farm tracks.

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  { label: "Long course", value: "53 km", sub: "932 m · Challenging · Feed station at km 24.4" },
  { label: "Medium course", value: "22 km", sub: "328 m · Moderate · Suits most riders" },
  { label: "Short course", value: "11 km", sub: "149 m · Easy · Rolling terrain, half on trail" },
  { label: "Surface", value: "Mixed", sub: "Singletrack + gravel road + mountain farm track" }
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### Long course — 53 km

The full Valdresrittet experience. 932 metres of elevation gain spread over 53 km — and you'll feel every single one. The course starts on Murkelivegen at the stadium building with a fast, undulating gravel road along Vasetvatnet. The first 3 km are ridden as a group, giving you time to find your position in the pack.

Then comes the first test: Sørre Trøllhøvd after 5.8 km, where 75 m of climbing over 1.5 km — mostly in the final 500 metres — reveals who went out too hard. After the Trøllhøvd junction, the climbs towards Grønsennhøgda await: 140 m over 2.6 km into the first technical section.

A highlight for many is the singletrack after Ormestadstølen — 5 km of fun, occasionally demanding trail through mountain farm landscape. Can be muddy in wet weather, but is partly boardwalked. After the trail comes the course's tempo section: 6 km along Midtre Syndisvatnet between Svult and Pyttingen. Exposed to wind in fine weather — find a strong wheel to sit behind.

**Who it suits:** Experienced mountain bikers with good fitness. You should be comfortable spending 3–5 hours in the saddle and at ease on technical singletrack.

### Medium course — 22 km

The second longest course, and the most popular among recreational riders. 328 metres of elevation gain — 14 km gravel and 6.5 km off-road. Enough challenge without needing to train like a professional. Suits most riders who cycle regularly.

### Short course — 11 km

6.3 km gravel and 5.1 km off-road. 149 metres of elevation gain — manageable for beginners with a mountain bike. A great introduction to organised cycling events.

---

## Practical information

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  { label: "Start/finish", value: "Vaset Stadion", sub: "Vestre Slidre municipality" },
  { label: "Registration", value: "valdrestrippelen.no", sub: "Check deadlines and prices on the website" },
  { label: "Bike type", value: "Mountain bike", sub: "MTB or gravel with chunky tyres" },
  { label: "Parking", value: "Vaset Stadion", sub: "Signposted parking on race day" }
]} columns={2} />

### Getting to Vaset

[Vaset](/omrade/vaset) is located in Vestre Slidre municipality, about 30 minutes from Fagernes. The nearest towns with accommodation are [Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen) (20 min) and [Fagernes](/omrade/fagernes) (30 min).

**By car from Oslo:** Take the E16 to Fagernes, then Rv51 towards Beitostølen and turn off towards Vaset. Approximately 3.5 hours.

**Tip:** Book accommodation early — the Vaset area has limited capacity on race weekend.

---

## Seeding and start groups

Valdresrittet uses self-seeding — you choose your start group based on your expected finish time. If you have previous results from other races, use them as a reference. Never raced before? Estimate your finish time and choose a group accordingly. Group times are maximum times: if you can finish under 02:30:00, you choose the 02:30:00 group.

**Important for ambitious riders:** Valdresrittet is a seeding race for both **Birkebeinerrittet** and **Grenserittet**. Your result here determines your start category in those two events. The long course has age-group categories from M17/K17, plus a separate elite category.

You'll find the self-seeding tool at [valdrestrippelen.no/selvseeding](https://www.valdrestrippelen.no/selvseeding).

---

## Preparation and training

You don't need to be an elite cyclist to complete Valdresrittet, but some preparation will make the experience significantly better.

### For the long course (53 km)

- **Fitness:** Should be comfortable spending 3–5 hours in the saddle. Train with rides of 30–50 km in varied terrain.
- **Technique:** Comfortable on singletrack, roots and loose gravel. Practise descents.
- **Bike:** Mountain bike (hardtail or full suspension) with tyre width 2.0" or more. A gravel bike with chunky tyres can work, but the singletrack sections favour MTB.

### For the medium and short courses

- **Fitness:** Regular cycling beforehand is sufficient. A few climbing sessions per week makes a big difference.
- **Bike:** Any mountain bike with chunky tyres. Avoid slicks.

### Race day checklist

- Helmet (mandatory)
- Windproof jacket (mountain weather can change quickly)
- Spare inner tube and multi-tool
- Energy bars and fluids
- Sunscreen and sunglasses

---

## Nutrition and hydration during the race

Getting your nutrition right makes the difference between a great experience and a long day. Valdresrittet has a feed station at km 24.4 on the long course — but you should carry your own supplies as well.

### Before the start

Eat breakfast 2–3 hours before the start. Porridge, bread with toppings or muesli with yoghurt — carbohydrate-rich and easy to digest. Drink 0.5 litres of water in the hours before the start. Avoid any new foods you haven't tested during training.

### During the race

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "Fluids", value: "0.5–0.7 l/h", sub: "Sports drink or water with electrolytes" },
  { label: "Energy", value: "30–60 g carbs/h", sub: "Gel, bar, banana — eat early and often" },
  { label: "Feed station", value: "Km 24.4", sub: "Long course only — bring enough yourself" },
  { label: "After finish", value: "Protein + carbs", sub: "Within 30 min of crossing the line" }
]} columns={2} />

**Rule of thumb:** Eat before you're hungry, drink before you're thirsty. By the time you feel like you need food, you're already 20 minutes behind. Start eating after 30–40 minutes, and take small amounts regularly for the rest of the race.

### Weather and temperature

Vaset sits at 850–1000 m above sea level. Even in July, temperatures can be 8–12 degrees at the start, and wind across the plateau chills further. Bring a windproof jacket — you'll definitely use it on the descents.

---

## Typical finish times — what can you expect?

First-time participants always wonder whether they're "good enough". Here are realistic ranges based on the course and terrain:

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "53 km — fast", value: "2:00–2:30", sub: "Experienced racers in good shape" },
  { label: "53 km — moderate", value: "2:30–3:30", sub: "Recreational riders who train regularly" },
  { label: "53 km — steady", value: "3:30–5:00", sub: "Anyone who wants to finish and enjoy the ride" },
  { label: "22 km", value: "1:00–2:00", sub: "Manageable for most riders" }
]} columns={2} />

The singletrack after Ormestadstølen takes varying amounts of time depending on experience — technically strong riders flow through it, while beginners may need to dismount and walk some sections. That's completely normal. Nobody judges you for walking — the terrain is demanding.

**For Birken seeding:** If you want a good start category at Birkebeinerrittet, aim for under 2:30 on the long course. But check the current seeding requirements at [birkebeiner.no](https://www.birkebeiner.no) — they can change from year to year.

---

## Train on Valdresrittet terrain

Do you live nearby, or are you coming to [Vaset](/omrade/vaset) early? Ride parts of the course as a training ride. The area around Vaset has excellent [mountain farm roads](/guider/stolsveier-gravel-valdres) and trails that provide perfect terrain training.

Other routes that will prepare you:

- **[Panoramavegen](/ruter/panoramavegen)** — long gravel with climbing, builds endurance
- **[Beitostølen MTB](/guider/terrengsykling-mtb-beitostolen)** — technical singletrack training
- **[Stølsvidda](/guider/stolsvidda-sykkelguide)** — high mountain terrain similar to the race course
- **[Hardest climbs in Valdres](/guider/hardeste-sykkelutfordringer-valdres)** — for those who want to test themselves

---

## Bike choice and tyre setup — MTB or gravel?

The right bike and tyres make a surprisingly big difference in Valdresrittet. The course mixes gravel, singletrack and mountain farm tracks — and no bike is perfect for everything.

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "Hardtail MTB", value: "Recommended", sub: "Best all-round for all courses — lighter than full suspension, climbs well, handles trail" },
  { label: "Full suspension MTB", value: "Long course", sub: "Advantage on singletrack, but heavier on climbs — approx. 1–2 kg extra" },
  { label: "Gravel with 40mm+", value: "Medium/short", sub: "Faster on gravel, but singletrack sections require experience and caution" },
  { label: "Tyre width", value: "2.0–2.25\"", sub: "MTB: Balance between grip and rolling resistance — avoid over 2.35\" on gravel" }
]} columns={2} />

### Tyre tips for the course

**Long course:** Use tyres with a moderate tread — you need grip on the singletrack, but you'll spend a lot of energy on chunky knobs over 30+ km of gravel. A popular choice: semi-slick rear tyre and moderate tread on the front.

**Medium and short courses:** The terrain is more varied per kilometre. Chunkier tyres pay off — you won't build up enough speed on the gravel for rolling resistance to matter much.

**Tyre pressure:** Start at 1.6–1.8 bar (MTB 2.2") and adjust down to 1.4 if the terrain is wet and rocky. Tubeless allows lower pressure without puncture risk — worth the investment.

### Gravel bikes at Valdresrittet — does it work?

Yes, with caveats. A gravel bike with 40–45 mm tyres works well on the medium and short courses. On the long course, the singletrack after Ormestadstølen is demanding on drop bars — narrow handlebars give less control over roots and rocks. If you have experience on technical gravel, you'll be fine. If you're unsure, choose an MTB.

---

## Race strategy — ride smart on the course

Valdresrittet rewards even effort and patience. Most people who blow up do so in the first 10 kilometres.

<StatGrid stats={[
  { label: "Km 0–5", value: "Hold back", sub: "Group start, easy gravel — pace is high, adrenaline pumping. Save energy here." },
  { label: "Km 5–8", value: "Trøllhøvd test", sub: "75 m over 1.5 km. Find your own pace — don't blindly follow those ahead." },
  { label: "Km 24", value: "Feed station", sub: "Top up everything. Eat something solid here — you have 29 km left." },
  { label: "Km 28–33", value: "Singletrack", sub: "5 km trail after Ormestadstølen. Let faster riders pass — there is room." },
  { label: "Km 33–39", value: "Exposed section", sub: "6 km along Syndisvatnet. Find someone to work with — headwind alone costs minutes." },
  { label: "Km 45–53", value: "Final push", sub: "Last climb to Vaset Stadion. Now you can empty everything you have left." }
]} columns={2} />

### Tactical tips

**The singletrack is the key.** Experienced riders save 10–15 minutes here compared to beginners. If you can ride fluidly over roots without stopping, you have an enormous advantage. If you can't — take it steady, walk the worst sections, and make up time on the gravel afterwards.

**Weather and wind direction:** Check yr.no the evening before. The exposed section along Syndisvatnet is open and wind-exposed. A north-westerly wind means headwind here — plan to save energy for this section.

**Food timing:** Many riders bonk (hit the wall) between km 35 and 45. The cause is almost always that they stopped eating after the singletrack. Keep eating after the feed station — a gel or a bite of energy bar every 20 minutes.

**Choose the right group.** It's tempting to enter a faster group than you can handle. Resist. Starting at the back of the right group is better than starting at the front of the wrong one — you avoid being overtaken by a hundred riders, and you'll find people at your pace to work with.

---

## Valdrestrippelen — more than just a race

Valdresrittet is part of **Valdrestrippelen** — a multisport festival at Vaset that also includes:

- **Valdresrennet** — ski race (winter)
- **Valdresløpet** — trail run

Complete all three and you've finished Valdrestrippelen. Check [valdrestrippelen.no](https://www.valdrestrippelen.no) for the full programme and registration.

---

## After the race

The Vaset area has plenty to offer after crossing the finish line:

- **Food and drink** at Vaset Stadion on race day
- **Swimming spot** — mountain lakes nearby for cold legs
- **Mountain farm visits** — the area has many active farms selling cheese and sour cream
- **Accommodation** — [Beitostølen](/omrade/beitostolen) and [Fagernes](/omrade/fagernes) have hotels and cabins

---

*Up-to-date information on dates, registration and prices can always be found at [valdrestrippelen.no](https://www.valdrestrippelen.no).*

---

## See also

- [Training rides and climbs in Valdres](/guider/treningssykling-valdres-stigninger) — prepare for the race
- [Training and preparation for a cycling trip](/guider/trening-forberedelse-sykkeltur-valdres) — training plan and advice
- [Hardest cycling challenges in Valdres](/guider/hardeste-sykkelutfordringer-valdres) — for those who want more
- [Panoramavegen cycling guide](/guider/panoramavegen-sykkelguide) — a key Vaset route for race participants
- [Vaset cycling guide](/guider/vaset-sykkelguide) — the race arena for Valdresrittet
- [Stølsvidda cycling guide](/guider/stolsvidda-sykkelguide) — terrain similar to the race course
- [Accommodation for cyclists](/guider/overnatting-syklister-valdres) — stay in Fagernes or Beitostølen
- [Beitostølen cycling guide](/guider/beitostolen-sykkelguide) — popular base for participants
- [Cycling routes in Valdres](/ruter) — train on routes in the Vaset area