The Birkebeinerrittet is founded on the same historical background as the Birkebeinerrennet.

In 1991/1992, the idea of a mountain bike race across the mountains came from Morten Østli, Snorre Moen, and Tor Fredriksen. They mapped out a course, largely the same as it is today, and on September 11, 1993, the idea became reality. At the time, mountain biking was beginning to establish itself among both recreational riders and active cyclists.

The very first Birkebeinerrittet in 1993 gathered 1,327 participants. Teenagers, seventy-year-olds, women, and men all pedaled the 82 km from Rena town square to Håkons Hall in Lillehammer.

Interest in the race has always been strong. From the very beginning, participation was capped, and the race sold out every year until 2015. The starting format, age categories, awards, and calculation of maximum times are the same as for the Birkebeinerrennet.

Cyclists must also carry a backpack that must must also contain equipment useful for the journey, such as food, drink, clothing, and repair tools and weigh at lieat 2 kg. The backpack also symbolizing Prince Håkon, whom Torstein Skjevla and Skjervald Skrukka carried across the mountains in 1206.

The Birkebeinerrittet is one of the world’s largest mountain bike races, with up to 17,000 participants at its peak.
I addition to Birkebeinerrittet, Birken cycle also includes GravelBirken (since 2025), FredagsBirken (2008–2016), HalvBirken cycle (since 2015), UltraBirken Sykkel (since 2010), UngdomsBirken cycle (since 2006), and BarneBirken Sykkel.

The Course

Today, the Birkebeinerrittet is 84 km long, starting in the center of Rena and heading westward toward Lillehammer. Riders follow Åsbygdsveien to Vivelstadsvea, with the first 10 km on paved road. After about 10 km, the course continues on wide gravel roads until Djuposet, where it connects to the old route. After the forest/walk section, the trail continues for about 4 km on forest and gravel roads to the food station at Bringbusætra.
See track map