|
|
|
|
FROM TRAIN TO PEDAL POWER
Today the former railway from Løgstør through Aalestrup to Hobro and Viborg is changed into a cycling trail “the Himmerland Trail” which passes through no less than 12 market towns on its way through the beautiful nature.
It took four years to construct the railway and just as long to clear the 82 km of trails (5500 tons of iron) and the 130.000 of railway sleepers, before you could begin to use the cycling trail. There is now free access to the 69 km cycling trail in the towns along the trail, and where it crosses public roads.
|
|
|
|
The Himmerland trail, of finely ground stone, follows a 69km section of where the Viborg to Løgstør railway once ran, and is now a nature trail for hikers and cyclists.On a trial basis horse riding is now permitted alongside the trail.
|
|
The trail runs through varied and beautiful scenery, which alternates between hilly moraine lanscapes, large glacial valleys, moors, and fjordside meadows, making it safer and an excellent alternative to cycling and hiking holidays along the roads, with also gentler gradients.
History.
In May 1959, railway passenger traffic ceased on the section of line from Viborg to Aalestrup, and in May 1966, on the section from Hobro-Aalestrup-Løgstør. In the following years the railway was therefore only used for transportation of goods. The line finally closed in 1999 and remained unused until the opening of the Himmerland trail on November 11th 2006.
"The Soft Kiss"
An engine driver from Viborg was known for driving very fast and he caused a certain fear of going by train on this section. Owing to his ability to attract the ladies, he was called "The Soft Kiss" and he had several girlfriends on the section. This often resulted in his being late, after which he drove with a speed far exceeding the limit to make up for lost time. Especially the parcel post foreman was rather dissatisfied with this practice, as it made it impossible to sort the mail - it was all he could do to hold on tight!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|