This is the first of a series of news updates about Oslo Bergen Trail 2025. The main items are:

• The lists of obligatory equipment have recently been published for all contests
• A first version of the main routes has been posted, and the GPS tracks may be downloaded

Obligatory equipment

The lists of obligatory equipment in the Oslo Bergen Trail (OBT) can be found here: Obligatory equipment

Note especially:

• The backpack must be equipped with reflective markings. This is especially important if you have to move long distances along a road, which could happen if an alternative route is used.
• Windsack/bivouac: A thin bag with material as in an emergency blanket/foil is not approved.
• A sleeping bag liner is mandatory, because the Norwegian Tourist Association (DNT) requires this when using the beds in its cabins.
• A simplification has been made regarding long trousers.
• A spoon for hiking has been added to the list. A long handle is recommended, as this is practical when consuming hot food from a bag.

Paper map:

• A map book in a suitable scale will be available on the website no later than 24 June 2025.
• Printing: It is advisable to use robust paper that is resistant to water, e.g. of the Never Tear type. To use an inkjet printer is not recommended.
• It is not required to have all map sheets for the route with you at all times, but you must have maps that are relevant to the current section.

OBT completers have stated: We used ALL the equipment we had in our backpack!

Main routes for all contests

All information about map and routes is located on the race website, in this tab: Routes

The main routes 500K, 300K, 130K and 37K are updated by March 2025. Each main route is divided into shorter sections, with the exception of 37K. GPX files can be downloaded for both main routes and sections.

Tip: When uploading a GPX file to a sports watch: It is recommended to use sections instead of a complete route. The reason is that the watch often tries to be 'smart' and downsamples. This causes points to disappear from the GPS track and the 'corners' of the route to be cut off.

We will continue to inspect both main routes and alternative routes throughout the spring. The snow remains for a long time in the higher parts of the terrain, and in many places inspection will only be possible in June.

There will be significant changes for the alternative routes compared to 2021 and 2023.

Changes of the main routes and planned inspections

We know that many OBT runners will be out along the routes in the next 3 months. If you see any deviations that may affect accessibility (e.g. fallen trees, forestry, overgrown paths, construction work,...) we would like to know about it.

We address the most important changes compared to 2021 and 2023 (check the map on the website for the distances):

• Through Krokskogen to Sundvollen (0-38 km): Is an intermediate between the routes from 2021 and 2023, to improve runnability.
• The part after Grønknutkoia (78 km): Here there is dense vegetation and it is difficult to see the blue-marked path. A new inspection will be carried out here.
• The part before Rishovdtjern (91 km): The previous route followed a tractor road that is becoming overgrown. We are considering shifting the route a little further north, which will also involve a short off-trail part.
• The terrain part above Kniptjernåsen (94 km): A small adjustment has been made, which results in fewer marshes and more solid rock.
• After Noresund (105 km): The route now follows the light track from the golf course to the alpine slope. It then goes in parallel with the alpine slope along a winding road up to Sandum seter.
• CP2 Flatvollen (145 km) is a new station in 2025. The former station at Langedrag has been removed, and the route no longer goes there. OBT 2025 does not follow the DNT trail along the Tunhovd fjord (170 km), but takes the road instead. This is because the DNT trail is difficult to see and not very accessible.
• Uppsete-Slondal (324-330 km): Here the route is changed to follow the gravel road.
• Bridge at the very end of Slondalen (333 km): The bridge collapsed in 2023, and the route was changed to follow the west side of Slondalsvatnet. The plan for 2025 is to follow the trail on the east side of the small lake, but an assessment of accessibility will be made in June.
• The descent towards Vesete/BT-hytten (338 km) is steep with a lot of rocky terrain, and it can be difficult to see the trail and the markings. We are putting up reflective markings, as in 2023.
• Similarly on the DNT trail down towards the dam in Holmavatnet (428 km): We are putting up reflective markings, as in 2023.
• The station CP7 Kvitingen (435 km) has been moved approx. 600m, which means entering and exiting on the road.

Do you have questions?

Feel free to ask questions to Oslo Bergen Trail: Go to the contact page

Many experienced OBT runners have joined the facebook group Oslo Bergen Trail 2025 Participants. That is a good place to ask questions. Go to the group