The new cycling route in the south of Slovakia. (source: Marcela Ballová)
The new cycling route connects two district towns in the south of Slovakia – Poltár and Rimavská Sobota.
It was opened in stages, and at the beginning of May it is already complete - a 30-kilometre cycling route for € 9.5 million, serving not only locals, but also visitors to the south of the Banská Bystrica Region, reportes the My Novohrad website.
The route also includes the 160-metre railway tunnel in Ožďany, which has not been used for years.
"We are opening the most beautiful cycling route in Slovakia, and it is no coincidence that we chose May 1. Exactly 20 years ago, we joined the EU," said Banská Bystrica Region Governor Ondrej Lunter.
He emphasised that the route was built mainly thanks to financial support from the EU. The region obtained more than €6.6 million from EU funds.
Thus, an attractive connection of the mentioned districts was created, connecting the villages of Ožďany, Sušany, Hrnčiarske Zalužany, Hrnčiarska Ves and the local part of Maštinec, while the entire length of the former railway line is being used.
Cycling in the tunnel an attraction
In 2013, the Banská Bystrica Region bought a 30-kilometre section from the ŽSR company, a state-owned firm managing the railway infrastructure, for €1. But, the condition was the construction of a cycling path on the old railway track.
The purchased railway line was built in 1912. It connected Poltár and Rimavská Sobota. It served its purpose until 2000. Since then it has been out of service.
A helping hand in the heart of Europe offers a travel guide of Slovakia. (source: Spectacular Slovakia)
"The reason was a broken rail grid. The high costs required to reconstruct and preserve the railway finally led to the decision of cancelling it," said Ivana Kapráliková, then spokesperson for the ŽSR firm.
In May 2007, the railroad was removed from the railway network.
An opportunity for local entrepreneurs
However, the new project is not only about the cycling path itself. It also includes rest areas in Maštinec, Dúžava, Ožďany, Sušany and Hrnčiarska Ves.
"This cycling route, which meets international standards, will certainly make the region more attractive, but the important thing is that it's an opportunity for the creation of services in its vicinity," said Tomáš Krahulec, director of the Regional Tourism Organisation (OOCR) Novohrad and Podpoľanie.
He mentioned bicycle rentals and catering services near the new cycling route.
"It's an opportunity for local entrepreneurs," Krahulec concluded.
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