Nordmarka skogsmaraton.
The Nordmarka skogsmaraton leaves Sognsvann on forest and gravel roads and is, by its own definition, not a trail race: only about one and a half kilometres of the marathon run on actual trail. That shifts the demand away from footwork towards a steady running rhythm, with enough left for the rolling ground after kilometre 27.
Nordmarka skogsmaraton 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
Start and finish are at Sognsvann Snøpark in Oslo, and between them the course draws a wide loop through Nordmarka: via Maridalen and Skjærsjødammen to Fortjern, on to Kikutstua, then back past Kobberhaughytta and Lørenseter. Underfoot it alternates between asphalt, gravel and forest paths, with the broad forest roads clearly dominant. Technique decides little here; legs decide a lot.
The first ten kilometres lift you out of the valley in steps. Two ramps from kilometres 5 and 8.6 add a little over 50 metres each before the route levels out around 360 metres. Then comes the long middle section, where the course barely gains or loses height until about kilometre 26. Between the Fortjern and Kikutstua stations you run more than eight kilometres in one go.
The harder part sits at the back. From kilometre 27 a long, even climb leads to the day's highest ground, around 440 metres near Sakariasshytta. Two more swells follow from kilometres 30.7 and 35.4. After the last station at Lille Åklungen the course drops for just over four kilometres back to Sognsvann.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 5 | 1 km | 5.8 % | 10.6 % | +55 m | — |
| km 8.6 | 1 km | 5.4 % | 8.9 % | +53 m | — |
| km 10 | 1 km | 3.3 % | 5 % | +33 m | — |
| km 13.3 | 0.6 km | 5.1 % | 9.4 % | +32 m | — |
| km 15.6 | 0.6 km | 4.1 % | 9.2 % | +24 m | — |
| km 27 | 1.6 km | 3.4 % | 5.4 % | +55 m | — |
| km 30.7 | 1.2 km | 4.4 % | 6.9 % | +54 m | — |
| km 35.4 | 0.9 km | 4.9 % | 7.3 % | +45 m | — |
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 Nordmarka skogsmaraton.
Start under control
None of the climbs is long on its own; the bill comes from how they are spread. Run the two ramps before kilometre 11 by feel rather than pace, and do not try to win those seconds back on the next crest. The plateau that follows is where your marathon pace should settle.
Hold your rhythm
The race is decided between kilometres 27 and 37. The three longest rises of the second half gather there, and each one hits legs that are already tired. If you still run loosely at Sakariasshytta you can gain places on the swells that follow; if you pushed the middle section, you pay for it on every one of these rises.
Spend what is left
The trap is how level that middle section is. It feels like recovery and tempts you to run above your planned average. Save that surplus for the closing stretch, because the descent from Lille Åklungen only turns into speed on intact quads.
Training plan for Nordmarka skogsmaraton: 12-week build
Build the base
Age-group runners are out for roughly 3:45 to 5:00 hours. The effort stays mostly steady and aerobic, broken by climbs of several minutes that lift your heart rate without forcing you out of a run. Walking is not a necessity on this course, only a question of what you have left.
Train race pace
The late race sets the real task: rises of one to one and a half kilometres well past the two-hour mark, followed by a long descent. Your training should copy that. Put the hills at the end of your long runs rather than the start, and finish some of those sessions with a few downhill kilometres at marathon pace.
Rehearse the course
With so little trail involved, technical trail work brings little. Long runs on gravel and forest roads do more, paired with tempo runs over rolling ground so that your rhythm absorbs changes of gradient without much thought. Strength work for the thighs pays off in the closing kilometres.
Arrive fresh
A mid-June date puts the main block in spring. Test early which shoe suits the mix of asphalt, gravel and forest path: a grippy road shoe often makes more sense than a heavy trail model, and one long run on similar ground settles the question. Practise fuelling on those runs too: the eight stations mostly sit three to six kilometres apart, with a wider gap only between Fortjern and Kikutstua.
Courses
Download the Nordmarka skogsmaraton course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
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Everything about Nordmarka skogsmaraton.
How long is Nordmarka skogsmaraton?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton is 42.2 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 Nordmarka skogsmaraton have?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton has around 695 m of elevation gain over 42.2 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Nordmarka skogsmaraton?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton is classified as Rolling, averaging 16.5 vertical metres per kilometre. 24% of the route is flat, 41% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 2% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Nordmarka skogsmaraton have?
The hardest climb of Nordmarka skogsmaraton starts at kilometre 5, runs for 1 km at an average of 5.8% and gains 55 metres. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Nordmarka skogsmaraton a loop course?
Yes, Nordmarka skogsmaraton is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Nordmarka skogsmaraton course?
Yes. The Nordmarka skogsmaraton 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 Nordmarka skogsmaraton?
Preparation for Nordmarka skogsmaraton should account for 42.2 km, 695 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 Nordmarka skogsmaraton?
The pacing strategy for Nordmarka skogsmaraton should reflect 42.2 km, 695 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 Nordmarka skogsmaraton 2027 take place?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton 2027 takes place on June 19, 2027.
Where does Nordmarka skogsmaraton 2027 take place?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton 2027 takes place in Oslo, Norway.
Which distances does Nordmarka skogsmaraton offer?
Nordmarka skogsmaraton offers 3 distances — Marathon: 42.2 km; Half Marathon: 21 km; Ultra: 63.29 km.
How do I register for Nordmarka skogsmaraton?
Registration runs through the organiser: nordmarkaskogsmaraton.no. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
