Sweden · Västernorrland County
High Coast Winter Trail
Distance
50 km
Date
February 14, 2026
Entry fee
1,190 SEK
€ / km
€2.26
Winter coastal grit: snow-and-ice trails with headlamp vibes on Sweden’s High Coast.
Elevation and Terrain
Total Meters
2100m
D+/KM
42m/km
For context, the Tor des Géants 330 loop has 73 D+/km.
Avg Uphill Gradient
9.8%
Avg Downhill Gradient
-10.9%
Uphill gradient distribution
Route Profile
Analysed 2026-05-02Terrain breakdown
Terrain
Climbs
Top climbs
3.1 km · 274 m gain
starts km 4 · avg 8.8% · max 36.0%
2.1 km · 228 m gain
starts km 45 · avg 10.9% · max 56.5%
3.9 km · 187 m gain
starts km 9 · avg 4.8% · max 22.4%
Top descents
2.7 km · 270 m drop
starts km 18 · avg -10.1% · max -32.5%
2.6 km · 268 m drop
starts km 7 · avg -10.1% · max -32.9%
2.4 km · 231 m drop
starts km 48 · avg -10.0% · max -42.2%
Why the Insane 50K Is Harder Than 50km Suggests: Snow, DNF Rates, and the Final 6km
Q: How hard is the High Coast Winter Trail Insane 50K? A: Exceptionally demanding — officially estimated as equivalent to 70–90km on bare ground. In 2022, 45% of starters did not finish (53 of 96 completed). The final 6km includes a 56.46% maximum gradient climb at km 44.85 and a −42.19% maximum descent at km 47.64, both on snow and ice. Average downhill gradient −10.86% is borderline top 25% of the DTR database. Temperature can drop to −15°C.
Course Profile — Frozen Cliffs, a 56% Gradient Climb in Snow, and a −42% Descent to the Finish
Q: What makes the High Coast Winter Trail route special? A: The 50km Insane route passes through Skuleskogen National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site on Sweden's High Coast — including a 14km stretch through frozen cliffs, sea ice, and snow-covered shoreline. The landscape was shaped by continental ice sheet rebound and features polished granite with no equivalent in European trail racing.
70–90km in Disguise: What the Organiser's Effort Estimate Actually Means
Q: How much does the High Coast Winter Trail Insane 50K cost? A: The 2026 edition was priced at 1,190 SEK (~€113 / ~€2.26/km). The 2027 fee has not yet been published. Icebug trail spikes are available to borrow at no charge from the organiser at the start.
Getting to the High Coast: Stockholm, Sundsvall, and the Logistics of a FAR Winter Race
Q: When does the High Coast Winter Trail Insane 50K take place? A: The race runs each February from FriluftsByn, Västernorrland County, Sweden. The 2026 edition was February 14. The 2027 date has not yet been announced — check highcoastwintertrail.com.
Race files
Logistics
Nearest airport
Stockholm Arlanda (ARN) / Umeå (UME)
Notes
Start: ~3–6 hrs depending on transfers / Public transport: Possible (train north) but winter timing makes car strongly preferred / Accommodation: Limited in small towns; plan early
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.
