Tour de Sognefjell

Mini version of Jotunheimen Rundt - cycling race

Tour de Sognefjell («sognefjellsrittet») is a mini version of Jotunheimen Rundt, that has grown immensely popular, with 34 participants in 1998, and 280 participants in 2009. The trail of 137 kms crosses the Sognefjellet mountain, starting at Lom on Saturday at 12:00 and 13:00 hrs.

The fastest of the participants cycled through the Bøverdalen valley, across the mountains, out alongside the Lustrafjorden, past Hafslo and crossed the finishing line in Sogndal in less than five hours. Most participants covered the trail in a between six and eight hours, and reach the finishing line at about the same time as the head of the record-breaking group.

The weather was sunny and extremely hot, and spirits were high, as the majority of the participants crossed the bridge on the Bøvra river, and then cycled out of beautiful Lom. The starting point at Lom is the open area between the stave church and the school. Here is plenty of space for both bicycles and cars. At the same place, the Tour de Jotunheimen participants come in from Valdresflya – to a hot meal and a rest. When reaching Lom, they have passed two thirds of the Jotunheimen Rundt.

From Lom, we therefore have two groups of riders – the ones who have just started on their 137 kms of the Tour de Sognefjell, og the ones who at this point have cycled nearly 300 kms already. Together they roll down the valley of Bøverdalen, past Elvesæter, Krossbu, Sognefjellshytta, Fortun, Skjolden, Luster, Gaupne, Hafslo – down to the charming seaside at Sogndalsfjøra, where a colourful finishing area awaits the tired competitors.

A mountain bike is well suited for the Tour de Sognefjell. Nearly half the distance is ascending terrain, and the last part up to the Sognefjellshytta is rather steep. But a good mountain bike will help you avoid problems. Tour de Sognefjell is intended for those who are not ready for the long trail. A family of several active riders should consider the Tour de Sognefjell. After the most ambitious riders have gone off on the Jotunheimen Rundt from Lærdal (Friday evening / Saturday morning), the others enter the bus via Sogndal to Lom.