The Walloon Cycle Trail — Industrial Heritage on Gravel Road in Gimo

Industrial Heritage Landscape

The Vallonernas Cycle Trail takes its starting point in the rich industrial history of the Gimo area. The Walloon iron industry — ironworks established primarily by Walloon blacksmiths from present-day Belgium and France in the 17th century — left deep marks on the landscape around Gimo and Österbybruk in Östhammar Municipality. The trail passes through environments that bear witness to this era: canals, dams, manor parks and old works settlements.

The Trail by the Numbers

Vallonernas Cycle Trail is a total of 13 km long and runs mainly on gravel roads. The difficulty level is low to moderate — the terrain is relatively flat and the surface is bicycle-friendly. The trail is marked with blue and white markers along the entire route, making it easy to follow without GPS.

What You'll Encounter

Along the trail you'll meet historic ironworks environments, forest areas and the characteristic Uppland agricultural landscape. Gimo Manor with its well-preserved park is one of the most prominent features. The engineering expertise of the works era is visible in the form of waterways and dam installations that once powered hammers and bellows.

Practical Information

The trail is suitable for a hybrid bike or mountain bike due to the gravel surface. It's a good idea to start from Gimo centre, which has public transport connections to Upplands Väsby and Uppsala. Current map information is available on Östhammar Municipality's outdoor pages and via naturkartan.se.