Finland · Lapland (Utsjoki area)
Distance
168 km
Date
Entry fee
€249
€ / km
€1.48
Kaldoaivi Ultra Trail 168 km is a trail race held on July 23–24, 2026, starting from Njallavaara in Utsjoki — Finland's northernmost municipality, above the Arctic Circle — traversing the Kaldoaivi Wilderness Area, Finland's largest and most northerly protected wilderness.
The Kaldoaivi Ultra Trail course covers 168 km with 2,450 m of gain (14.6 m/km) across open Arctic tundra, fell plateaus, and three river crossings, with 22 hours of continuous daylight throughout. This is not a mountain race: the DW average uphill gradient is 5.4% and the biggest single climb rises just 188m. The challenge is 168 km of unrelenting forward movement through open wilderness with no shelter, no crowds, and no roads.
The 2025 edition had 28 finishers. Entry costs €299 (€1.78/km at current pricing). Ivalo (IVL) airport is 2.5–3.5 hours by road — accommodation in this remote corner of Finnish Lapland requires early planning. Described as the world's most northern ultra race, it suits self-sufficient ultra runners drawn to extreme solitude, midnight sun conditions, and a race where the wilderness itself is the opponent — not the gradient.
Total Meters
2,450m
D+/KM
14.6m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
5.4%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-5.5%
| 2–5% | 27.3 km | |
|---|---|---|
| 5–10% | 18.2 km | |
| 10–15% | 3.3 km | |
| 15–20% | 0.7 km | |
| 20%+ | 0.0 km |
| 29.4% | Uphill |
|---|---|
| 41.8% | Flat |
| 28.8% | Downhill |
| 1 | 1.7 km · 188 m gain starts km 0 · avg 10.8% · max 16.2% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5.1 km · 183 m gain starts km 68 · avg 3.6% · max 19.1% |
| 3 | 5.8 km · 97 m gain starts km 19 · avg 1.7% · max 11.1% |
| 1 | 2.3 km · 217 m drop starts km 162 · avg -9.6% · max -25.9% |
|---|---|
| 2 | 5.1 km · 183 m drop starts km 37 · avg -3.6% · max -22.3% |
| 3 | 7.9 km · 143 m drop starts km 47 · avg -2.0% · max -13.1% |
Uniquely demanding — but not in the way most mountain ultras are. The course has just 2,450m of gain over 168km (14.6 m/km), with a 5.4% average uphill gradient and no steep climbing at all. The difficulty is purely distance, self-sufficiency, and wilderness: 168km through open Arctic tundra with three river crossings, no shelter, minimal support, and potential strong winds and rain. The 2025 edition had approximately 28 finishers. Midnight sun conditions mean there is no natural night to use as a psychological reset.
Yes — the 168km is ITRA-certified. Check current ITRA and UTMB Index listings for point values and qualifying status.
Ivalo (IVL) is the nearest airport — approximately 2.5–3.5 hours by road to Njallavaara. Public transport is very limited; a long-distance bus to Utsjoki plus a taxi is possible but slow. A rental car or organised transfer is strongly recommended. Book accommodation in advance — Utsjoki has very limited capacity in July.
Approximately €299 at current pricing (~€1.78/km) — the entry fee rose from €279 after June 1, 2026. The entry fee is likely the smallest part of the total cost; travel to Utsjoki adds significantly. Register at kaldoaiviultratrail.fi.
July 23–24, 2026. The race likely starts on the evening of July 23 and finishes during July 24, running through continuous Arctic daylight. Confirm exact start time on the official site.
Nearest airport
Ivalo (IVL)
Notes
Start: ~2.5–3.5 hrs drive (depending on exact start/finish) / Public transport: limited; long-distance bus possible to Utsjoki + taxi / Accommodation: sparse in far-north villages; book early and plan transfers carefully
FAR
It’ll possibly take 3+ hours from the closest large airport to arrive. Plan your adventure accordingly, take an extra day for those after-race beers or Curranz.
Ibiza Trail Maratón 48 km
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