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Kyststien mellom Stavern og Barkevik er med på Visit Norways liste over de ti fineste stedene å løpe i Norge. (Foto: Kjell Vigestad)

Lista kan helt klart diskuteres, og litt rart blir det å sammenligne løp - som Midnight Sun Marathon og Oslo Maraton - med steder som Fredrikstadmarka og Bygdøy. Men at det finnes mange fine plasser å løpe i Norge er hevet over tvil. For de som vil se flere vakre bilder fra Rallarvegen anbefales Ole Arne Schlytters nylaga bildeserier fra dag 1 og dag 2 i Rallarvegsløpet.

Her er lista til Visit Norway, skrevet av Thor-Arne Englund ved det norske generalkonsultatet i New York, mai 2008:


Furulunden in Mandal
Furulunden is an award-winning recreation area, a quick five minute walk from the city center of Mandal, a town on the south coast of Norway. It is an area of pine forests and rocky headlands with several beautiful little beaches and a network of paths, perfect for running. The beach Lillebanken on the west is particularly good for a post-jog dip.

Bygdøy in Oslo
The scenic Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo is home to the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum of Polar Exploration and the large outdoor Museum of Cultural History, but also gives you the very rare opportunity to run through Royal forests: The peninsula offers several miles of gravel paths that go along some of Oslo's most beautiful beaches, but also through lush forests that are part of "Kongsgården", the Royal family's former summer residence. Bygdøy is a quick commute from downtown Oslo either by bus or by ferry.

Tromsø
Tromsø, one of the northernmost cities of Norway, is fast becoming a center of running in the north of Norway. Tromsø is host to the Polar Night Half Marathon, as well as a race from sea level to Mount Tromsdalstind, elevation 3700 ft. All these races use the scenic and well-kept gravel paths that circle the Tromsø island. The highlight of Tromsø’s running season, however, is the Midnight Sun Marathon. With the race starting at 8.30 p.m., you can run through the night in broad daylight, with the beautiful arctic coastal nature surrounding you, making it an unforgettable experience. Marathon day even features a mini-marathon for children, and several other shorter races, including a half-marathon.

The Rallarveg
The mountainous interior of Norway offers thousands of miles of paths through stunning, virgin nature, and these paths – dotted with little cabins and farms where you can stay the night - are among Norway’s most important cultural heritage. These paths come in all shapes and sizes, some more akin to mountain climbing, and some in more runner-friendly terrain. One of the most popular routes for runners and bikers is the Rallarveg, a number of roads named after the “Rallars”, who constructed train tracks through the mountains from Bergen to Oslo. The road is typically snow-free from July through September, and is a favorite for bikers and runners alike, partly because of the many scenic farms, cabins and other rest stops along the road. The Rallarveg even has its own running race – Rallarvegsløpet - a race that follows part of the Rallarveg from ocean level to 3500ft and back down to 2500ft during a two day event. You can also participate in just one of the two days, or do like thousands of Norwegians do every summer and rent a bike and spend two or three days biking the length of the route.

"Nordmarka" in Oslo / Sognsvann
One of the things that set Oslo apart from most other capitals is how you're always close to nature and outdoor activities. From downtown Oslo, a quick subway ride takes you right into unspoilt forest, with endless gravel tracks perfect for running, hiking and mountain-biking in the summer and with miles after miles of world class and well-lit ski tracks in the winter. A favorite of Oslo's runners is lake Sognsvann, a scenic lake easily reachable by subway. One lap around the lake is approximately two miles, followed, perhaps, by a refreshing swim in crisp, crystal clear water from one of the sandy beaches or wooden dinghies surrounding it.

Lakes of Stavanger
Stavanger is home to one of the most beautiful cathedrals of Norway, but also offers plenty of opportunities for visiting runners. In the middle of downtown, Lake Breiavatnet is called Stavanger’s blinking eye, in the middle of the city park, surrounded by a broad gravel path for runners and strollers alike. There is also the Mosvannet, a park area known for its wide variety of birds. Finally, the two Stokkavannet lakes – one large, and one smaller – make up one of Norway’s most diverse park areas, with a topography varying from fields and rocks to swamps and forests, with a great view as well. A route running around all these lakes is approximately 13 miles of tarmac and soft gravel roads.

The Coastal Path from Stavern to Barkevik
Norway’s rugged coastline is dotted with little paths and tracks that are well-kept secrets used by the locals for hiking and recreation, with spectacular views and fresh ocean breezes to match. One of the most picturesque ones is the coastal path between Stavern to Barkevik, two small towns in the south-east of Norway. This 20-mile stretch goes through the beautiful coastal landscape, with plenty of opportunities – for the brave - for a swim along the way.

Fredrikstadmarka
Fredrikstad, with an Old Town dating back all the way to the 1500s, is right on the mouth of Glomma, Norway’s longest river, on the south eastern tip of Norway. Being close to the Swedish border, the forests surrounding the city were – in the old days – the scene of bloody battles between the Norwegians and the Swedes. Today, however, hostility between Sweden and Norway has long since disappeared, and the forests are instead home to some of the best running paths in the country, with miles after miles of scenic paths passing through the lush forest, rolling hills and quiet, peaceful meadows, without ever being very far from the cobblestone city center.

Stoltzekleiven and Fjellveien in Bergen
Bergen, Norway’s second largest city, is a must-see for visitors to Norway, with its dramatic positioning between steep mountains and with its colorful history as a Hanseatic League trading center. However, it’s also a must-see for runners: Bergen is home to Stoltzekleiven, an 800-step stair climb with a 1000ft elevation. The legendary course is a popular training spot for runners, and is also home to the yearly Stoltzekleiven running race – the world’s steepest running race - which gathers more than 2000 runners. The time to beat is 8 minutes and 30 seconds, and in the weeks before the race, you can record your own time in a booklet on the top if you’re in a bragging mood. Another essential trip for any runner who visits Bergen is Fjellveien, or “The Mountain Road”. This three-mile road winds through the hillsides surrounding the city, and is much used by the locals for running or simply for a relaxed stroll to look at the magnificent view. Bergen also has, of course, a marathon, held every March.

Oslo Marathon
The jewel in the crown of Norwegian running is perhaps the Glitnir Oslo Marathon, held every year in the end of September. Starting in front of City Hall, thousands of runners from almost 40 countries speed through a fast, flat course ideal for that elusive personal best. Running through the colorful leaves and crisp air past the cheering crowds in downtown Oslo is an unforgettable experience. The course winds its way along the Oslo fjord, pass the brand new opera house and the Akershus Fortress, through the harbor area, passing the Storting (parliament) and National Theater building, zipping through the fashionable Frogner neighborhood before turning back towards the finish line at the City Hall. There are also shorter options: A half-marathon and 3K race follow parts of the same route, in addition to a fun race for children, where proceeds go to charity. For a unique city vacation for the whole family, the marathon brings out great crowds of spectators, with bands and entertainment along the course and is, in short, a completely unique way to experience the sights, culture and people of Oslo.

Artikkelen hos Visit Norway