Offroad Finnmark

Offroad Finnmark starts mountain bikers in Alta, sending them onto Finnmarksvidda, the large Arctic mountain plateau in northern Norway. The festival occurs annually from the last weekend in July to the first weekend in August, offering 150 km, 300 km, and 700 km races, alongside children's and family events. The longer races are not standard cross-country loops: the 700 km version is a single-stage ride with approximately 9,000 to 11,000 meters of elevation gain, and the 300 km and 700 km formats permit only limited mandatory rest. Riders navigate using GPS and maps, and the midnight sun enables continuous movement throughout the night. The route follows old post roads, gravel roads, trails, and rough tracks across Finnmarksvidda, featuring bogs, river crossings, hilly terrain, and technical sections that reduce speeds. The 300 km course concludes at mountain lodges and a community center serving as checkpoints. For safety, the 300 km, 700 km, and junior 150 km races are team events for two or three riders, while the 150 km also includes solo and fatbike categories. Race organizers approve teams individually, acknowledging the demanding nature of the terrain. National champions, international winners, club riders, juniors, families, and volunteers participate within the same race week, but the fundamental objective remains: ride deep into Arctic Norway and return to Alta.