Press release, 13 November 2024

Outdoor life flourishes in Øster Hornum: 8.2 million. from the Nordea Foundation to the Hærvejs project in Rebild Municipality.

With 8.2 million DKK with support from the Nordea Foundation, the village of Øster Hornum will soon be ready to establish new outdoor facilities for the many hikers who will follow the new spectacular hiking route "Frendrup Nihøje-Pearl" in Himmerland. The project includes - in addition to establishing the route itself - also indoor accommodation options in a new "Fælleshus" and an upgrade of the city's well-visited "Friluftscenter Katbakken" to the delight of hikers and the local community.

The new community center which houses the welcome area for Hærvejen's start/stop location in Øster Hornum is connected to Øster Hornum Hallen and the "Friluftscenter Katbakken"

Mayor of Rebild Municipality, Jesper Greth, states:

” First of all, a huge praise and a huge thank you must go to all the passionate people who have spent many, many hours over several years to make this visionary dream project a reality. It makes me really proud as mayor to see the persistence and commitment that has driven the project. Every time there were stones in the road – and there have been many of them – the local forces have stood firm and they have seen where there were opportunities. In Øster Hornum, they have stood together to develop this project, which gives a huge boost, both to the local area, Rebild Municipality and the entire highway project. "

An overlooked and untouched natural gem

Frendrup Nihøje, located at an altitude of 105 metres, offers a spectacular view of Himmerland and the Limfjord at the seven remaining burial mounds from the Bronze Age. The new hiking route, which will follow a gentle route through Vokslev Hede, over Hasseris Å and into the untouched Frendrup Fredskov, is expected to obtain a premium hiking certification from the Deutsche Wanderinstitut, as one of the few routes in Denmark.

Strong communities and new target groups

Øster Hornum is a city with strong communities and enthusiasm. The town's sports hall with associated clubhouse and not least the "Friluftscentret Katbakken" behind the hall have been created through local efforts.
It is the heart of the city and forms the framework for the city's many active associations on a daily basis. Sports are practiced here and the outdoor people have a good base here. Rebild Cultural Weeks, a walking club, concerts and lectures are held for people of all ages, and the "Nature and Technology Hut" on Katbakken is widely used for teaching, learning and leisure activities by the area's schools and day care facilities.

In the Hårvej project, the clubhouse will become the Common House and - with the support of the Nordea Foundation - will receive a quality boost for the benefit of the Härväg walkers and the local population, as well as new target groups of visitors. When it is finished, Fælleshuset will be able to offer indoor accommodation on the first floor with associated kitchen facilities, lounge and café area, where you can have a well-deserved rest.

Outdoor life should be for everyone

The project is based on values ​​of sustainability, social inclusion and the good life, and it is largely made possible and supported by volunteers in the local community. The planned renovation of Fælleshuset, which is supported by the Nordea Foundation, has, among other things, with the aim of increasing accessibility to outdoor experiences for both children and adults of all ages, including those with special needs.
In this context, the use of new rooms in the Common House and good footpaths to the Outdoor Center should provide better access to outdoor experiences for everyone.

As part of the project, at the 'Friluftscenter Katbakken', the construction of two primitive cabins is also planned for the time being in addition to the well-functioning shelters and tent pitch with electricity, outdoor kitchen, campfire area and mud toilet.

"At Katbakken there are already good facilities, but with the new cabins we are embarking on a new chapter, and will now be able to offer visitors who want it a little more comfort than we can today," says Hugo Mogensen, chairman of the association 'Friluftscenter Katbakken' and member of the Hærvejsgruppen.

One of the things that makes the project in Øster Hornum something special is that the new start/stop location on Hærvejen is located in close connection with the town's gathering place. Here, visitors will be welcomed by the locals and will have a unique opportunity to participate in the city's communities by signing up for activities such as communal dining, cooking over a fire at the Friluftscentret, or simply using some of the site's many offers during their visit.

"In a small town like ours, we are used to lifting in groups, and we are very proud that the Nordea Foundation has chosen to support our project and thus support the community in Øster Hornum. With the project, we want to invite visitors inside and give them the opportunity to experience the fantastic nature and the strong community in our local area. The support from Nordea is a huge step closer to realizing the project - and the next step is final fundraising," says Birgitte Bak-Sørensen, chairman of Hærvejs Gruppen and chairman of the independent institution "Øster Hornum Hallen".

The vision in brief:

The vision of the army road project is to strengthen Himmerland's offer to army road hikers (in terms of accommodation and other services) and to establish a premium hiking experience on a local army road route. The hall, the community center and the outdoor center form the heart of the city, where everyone moves and meets. Visitors are invited into the town's communities and to experience the local natural and cultural history.

Facts about the project

• Project name: Hærvejen's start/end point in Øster hornum and Frendrup Nihøje-Perlen
  
  
• Project owner: Øster Hornum Hallen and Friluftscenter Katbakken
  
  
• The Nordea Foundation's support of DKK 8.2 million. is the cornerstone in the financing of the project, which has a total budget of 15 million.

• Project period: 2024 – 2026
  
  
• Øster Hornum is one of the oldest villages in Himmerland with approx. 1000 inhabitants. The town is located in Rebild Municipality, 20 km southwest of Aalborg.

• The new Frendrup Nihøje-Pearl will be approx. 10 km long and will go via Vokslev Hede, Frendrup Nihøje, Frendrup Fredskov, Hasseris Å and tracks from the Iron Age.

Find out more about the project

Chair, Birgitte Bak-Sørensen

Øster Hornum Hallen

Phone: 29625514

Email: menateket@gmail.com

Frendrup Nihøje's location on the distinctive ridge means that you can see the mounds from a long distance. Together with other burial mounds in the area, Frendrup Nihøje has been an important landmark for travelers of the past. The mounds are protected and never archaeologically excavated. They were built in the Bronze Age (1700-1100 BC).

The view over Himmerland from Frendrup Nihøje is unique. On the horizon, on a clear day, you can see both the Limfjord and Aalborg.

From Øster Hornum Hallen's car park, visitors are led up to the new entrance to the Community Hall, the Outdoor Center and the welcome area for the new Start/Stop location on Hærvejen.

There will be a welcome and information area in the ground floor of the Common House. From here there is also access to the hall's many facilities, including showers and changing rooms which are used by the overnight guests at the Friluftscentret shelter area.

On the Fælleshuset's 1st floor, there is a lounge and cafe area, communal kitchen and access to rooms.

Via an outdoor platform at the back of the Community Building, guests are guided out onto the path system, which leads to the Outdoor Center and further out onto the route. The access conditions take into account that people with reduced mobility can move around the entire area.

At the Friluftscentret there is a nature/technique hut which is frequently used for teaching and other activities

As part of the project, the construction of two primitive cabins of this type is planned for the time being at the Friluftscentret.