Length: 27 km
Enjoy a scenic bike ride through heather hills and forest to Fussingø Castle and lake. This route offers nature, culture, and views over the Nørre River Valley.
Start in Hammershøj – either in connection with bicycle route No. 10 or by parking at Hammershøj School and the outdoor swimming pool (Friluftsbadet). Ride to the main road junction and turn left onto road 16 toward Randers. After approx. 600 m, turn right at the pharmacy onto Stadionvej. Follow the asphalt road past the stadium and continue along the Vejlebæk valley until just before the main road – turn left here across the bog, sign post “Tindbæk 3”. Clay is still extracted here, and Hammershøj Brickworks produces bricks for the entire country – including for the campsite. Cross Vejlebæk.
At the junction, turn left onto Tindbæk Fælled, past a side road to the right, then turn left onto Højmarken into the forest. Turn left onto Rosenbakken, sign post “Læsten 2”. Cross Vejlebæk again and pass through a farmyard. The road winds steeply up through the beautiful, heather-covered Læsten Hills.
In Læsten, keep right at the grocery store (Brugsen), past the church and turn right again onto Engtoften. Descend a winding and steep road through Læsten Hills. Keep right onto Vasevej and cross the Vejlebæk twice, as it is divided here.
Continue straight. After about 1 km, farm no. 17 is on the right and a transformer on the left. Turn left here onto Troldeskovvej (sandy road). Follow the road through the forest to the parking area at Fussingø.
At the parking area, you’ll find a map of the area (also in the campsite binder). On the left is Fussing Watermill, and nearby Fussingø Castle (state-owned), Fussing Lake, and several protected plantings. There are marked hiking trails. At the sawmill, turn right at the T-junction toward the sign post “Alum 3” on Fussingøvej. Swimming in the lake is not recommended due to very steep slopes. From the parking area in the bend, there is a trail to the Fussingø ruin.
Continue through Sønderskov. At the edge of the forest stands a row of very old oak and beech trees – here, turn right onto Fussingøvej toward the sign post “Alum 2”. After about 300 m, turn right again along the forest edge onto Nr. Alumvej toward the sign post “Svinding 3”. Continue straight toward Svinding. The first house on the right – the old school – is home to a potter who fires using a wood-burning kiln.
In Svinding, turn right onto Høvejen. Follow the asphalt road down through the forest and turn right at the T-junction. Continue along the forest with a beautiful view of the broad Nørre River Valley. On the left is Skjern Church, with a large runestone by the porch and a historic sundial above the door. There is a beautiful view of the valley from the churchyard.
Keep right toward the sign post “Tindbæk Hammershøj 5” (road 575). Two return options:
1) Continue straight past Tindbæk and the brickworks back to road 16 – the starting point.
2) Turn right onto Tindbæk Byvej, continue straight until Nøragervej forks right. Follow this over the Vejlebæk, then turn left at the T-junction and immediately right toward Hammershøj and road 16 – the starting point.