Skip to content

Foto: Isabell Sunnier, Vita Bandet 2023

Facts and numbers

Green Ribbon

A total of 682 people have started the Green Ribbon since its inception in 2011 up until the fall of 2025. The trend shows a fairly steady increase in participants, with the exception of the pandemic year 2021, when more people than usual set off.

A total of 504 people, or 73,9%, have completed the entire journey, though the success rate varies significantly between years. The years 2015, 2016, and 2023 appear to have been particularly challenging, with only about 65% making it all the way.

Of the total 682 people who have started the Green Ribbon, 424 are men and 258 are women (62,2% men and 37,8% women).

Approximately two-thirds have traveled “NOBO” (northbound), starting from Grövelsjön and heading north toward Treriksröset.

A total of 85 people, or 16,9% of those who have completed the Green Ribbon, come from other countries, with the largest number from Germany.

All Green Ribbon finishers have spent a total of 81 years on the trail! That amounts to 29 584 days in total, with an average of 58,7 days per journey. (Some covered a shorter distance during the pandemic in 2020-21 when Treriksröset could be swapped for Abisko due to closed borders).

RECORD – FEWEST DAYS:

  • Hiking/Running: 22 days (Simon Österlin La Mont and Ebbe Borg)
  • Cycling: 16 days (Jörgen Johansson)

RECORD – MOST DAYS:

  • 130 days (Caroline and Emanuel Larsson)

On average, participants travel 1334 km. Altogether, the 504 people who have completed the full distance have covered 672 139 km, which is roughly 16,8 times around the Earth!

The most common starting date is June 16, and the vast majority begin their Green Ribbon during the second half of June if you divide the month into halves.

The average age of participants at the start of their Green Ribbon journey is 40 years.

RECORD – YOUNGEST:

  • 11 years (Karl Nordborg and Jacob McGlynn)

RECORD – OLDEST:

  • 72 years (Detlef Körner)

A total of 193 participants completed the Green Ribbon with a companion, while 311 went solo. Or perhaps not entirely alone – since a total of 40 dogs have also completed the Green Ribbon, some of them several times!

 

White Ribbon

A total of 139 people have started the White Ribbon since its inception in 2010 up until the winter of 2025. The number of participants has fluctuated over the years, with a record-breaking year in 2025.

A total of 139  people, or not quite 68%, have completed the entire journey, though success rates vary significantly between years. The year 2023 appears to have been particularly challenging, with only 40% of participants making it all the way.

Of the total 205 people who have started the White Ribbon, 137 are men and 68 are women, meaning almost 69% are men. Among the 66  who did not complete the journey, 73% were men and 27% were women.

Among those who completed the entire route, 96% started from Grövelsjön, traveling “NOBO” (northbound)from south to north.

A total of 29 people, or 24%, of those who have completed the White Ribbon come from other countries, with the largest number from Germany.

 

All White Ribbon finishers have spent a total of 8259 days on the trail – almost 23 years in total! The average journey took 59,4 days (some covered a shorter distance during the pandemic in 2020-21 when Treriksröset could be swapped for Abisko due to closed borders).

RECORD – FEWEST DAYS:

  • 26 days (Christian Kämmer with the dog Benni)

RECORD – MOST DAYS:

  • 97 days (Lina Hallebratt, who also holds the second-fastest time: 29 days)

On average, White Ribbon participants travel 1329 km along the mountain range.

The average age at the start of a White Ribbon journey is 41,5 years.

RECORD – YOUNGEST:

  • 22 years (August Alvtegen)

RECORD – OLDEST:

  • 70 years (Uwe Mezger)

A total of 54 participants who completed the full journey had a companion, while 85 traveled solo. Or perhaps not entirely alone – since a total of 12 dogs and as many as 15 dog teams have also completed the White Ribbon!

An indescribable adventure that must be experienced to be understood.

Dino Redzic

Back To Top