Ecotrail Trondheim.
On its longest course the Ecotrail Trondheim is one big loop from Havet Arena up towards Bymarka and Gråkallen and back to the fjord. Just over 2,000 metres of climbing fall into two mountain blocks, and the steepest sustained climb only arrives after kilometre 59, so preparation comes down to what your legs still hold by then.
Ecotrail Trondheim 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The first four kilometres stay almost at sea level, then the mountain takes over: from kilometre 5 the course climbs for two and a half kilometres at around ten percent, and from kilometre 10.5 another three kilometres of similar severity follow. Around kilometre 20 you are above 500 metres in the highest part of the route towards Gråkallen (552 m). From there the course loses height in long steps and drops below 100 metres at kilometre 40.
The second block starts at kilometre 47. Two pushes take you above 250 metres, then the course falls back to just over 100 metres before the centrepiece at kilometre 59: 1.6 kilometres at a little over eleven percent, topping out near 370 metres. After that the course falls almost to sea level by kilometre 67, and the last twelve kilometres roll along the fjord back to Havet Arena.
The appeal of the course is its changes of scene: city, forest, mountain, river and fjord take turns, and the ground ranges from asphalt and gravel to forest and mountain trails. The Ecotrail sees itself as an environmentally conscious urban trail race: start and finish are in Trondheim, and you reach the mountains on foot from the city. Stations stand at Skistua, Granåsen, Utleirahallen, Reppe Søndre Gård and Hansbakkfjæra.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 4.4 | 0.6 km | 10.4 % | 32.9 % | +57 m | — |
| km 5.1 | 2.5 km | 10.1 % | 29.2 % | +248 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 10.5 | 3 km | 9.3 % | 22.5 % | +279 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 18.2 | 0.9 km | 6.9 % | 12.3 % | +64 m | — |
| km 46.9 | 1.5 km | 7.2 % | 15.2 % | +108 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 48.9 | 0.8 km | 8.3 % | 18.9 % | +67 m | — |
| km 58.2 | 0.8 km | 7.2 % | 15.9 % | +60 m | — |
| km 59.3 | 1.6 km | 11.2 % | 20.7 % | +176 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Ecotrail Trondheim.
Start under control
The first block is the more dangerous one, precisely because it feels easy. Twenty kilometres in you stand more than 500 metres above the arena, on fresh legs and keen to move. Take the two long ramps from kilometres 5 and 10.5 so that you are still breathing calmly at the top. Their ten percent is walking pace for most runners, and here that is not lost time but the plan.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 47 and 61. Twice more you have to gain height, the second time on the steepest long stretch of the day. Anyone merely surviving that ramp loses far more over the following kilometres than the minutes on the hill itself.
Spend what is left
The real trap comes earlier: the long descent from kilometre 20 to 40 invites you to let go, and that is exactly where you spend the quads you need for the closing section. Keep your stride short and controlled there. You want legs left for twelve kilometres along the fjord that offer no hill to walk and have to be run.
Training plan for Ecotrail Trondheim: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group athletes should expect to be out for roughly ten to fourteen hours. Most of that is calm aerobic endurance that shifts into harder phases on the mountains: long stretches of walking and running uphill, and over the day just as much height to give back on the way down.
Train race pace
The core of your preparation is long runs with the climbing placed late. The decisive climbs come after 47 and 59 kilometres, so plan sessions in which you still power up a two-kilometre hill at ten percent after several hours on your feet. A weekend of two consecutive long days trains that state without you having to run the full distance.
Rehearse the course
Downhill running under fatigue matters just as much. Twenty kilometres of steady height loss towards the middle of the race, then the drop from 370 metres almost to sea level after kilometre 61, load the quads harder than any climb. Build in longer descents regularly, on tired legs too, rather than avoiding them at the end of a session.
Arrive fresh
The surface calls for a decision of its own. Asphalt, gravel and trails alternate, and the final kilometres along the fjord ask for fluent running after many hours off road. Test your shoe on all three surfaces and occasionally finish long sessions with half an hour of flat running. Rehearse your fuelling in the same long runs, because over more than ten hours it helps decide how the closing section goes.
Courses
Download the Ecotrail Trondheim course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Ecotrail Trondheim dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Everything about Ecotrail Trondheim.
How long is Ecotrail Trondheim?
Ecotrail Trondheim is 80 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Ecotrail Trondheim have?
Ecotrail Trondheim has around 2,059 m of elevation gain over 80 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Ecotrail Trondheim?
Ecotrail Trondheim is classified as Hilly, averaging 26.1 vertical metres per kilometre. 19% of the route is flat, 28% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 11% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Ecotrail Trondheim have?
The hardest climb of Ecotrail Trondheim starts at kilometre 10.5, runs for 3 km at an average of 9.3% and gains 279 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Ecotrail Trondheim a loop course?
Yes, Ecotrail Trondheim is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Ecotrail Trondheim course?
Yes. The Ecotrail Trondheim course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Ecotrail Trondheim?
Preparation for Ecotrail Trondheim should account for 80 km, 2,059 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Ecotrail Trondheim?
The pacing strategy for Ecotrail Trondheim should reflect 80 km, 2,059 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Ecotrail Trondheim take place?
Ecotrail Trondheim takes place on August 21, 2027.
Where does Ecotrail Trondheim take place?
Ecotrail Trondheim takes place in Trondheim, Norway.
Which distances does Ecotrail Trondheim offer?
Ecotrail Trondheim offers 5 distances — Trail 80 km: 80 km; Trail 50 km: 50 km; Trail 33 km: 33 km; Trail 22 km: 22 km; Trail 11 km: 11 km.
How do I register for Ecotrail Trondheim?
Registration runs through the organiser: ecotrailtrondheim.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
