The Ignite Track
Experience the story of the Jutland Klondike and enjoy a peaceful ride along the Brown Coal Route (Brunkulsruten) through Søby Brown Coal Beds – a unique piece of Danish nature and cultural heritage.
When the world situation grew tense in the late 1930s, brown coal production in Søby truly began. Just 12–15 meters beneath the heathlands of central Jutland lay Denmark’s energy reserve – brown coal – and soon hand tools were replaced by machines.
The growing production required many hands, and a completely new town emerged: “The Jutland Klondike.” Around 1,800 people lived here, most of them in barracks, old buses, and railway carriages. Mining stopped in 1970 near Meldgård Lake, but today the area remains a calm, hilly landscape filled with lakes and nature – where history can still be felt.
The approximately 35 km long Brown Coal Route (Brunkulsruten) connects Brande and Søby, leading you through heathlands and the former brown coal pits.
The route starts in Brande, heads north along Dørslundvej, then west via Fløvej and onto the path along the railway. You’ll pass Lille Harrild Heath, Harrild Fish Farm, and Dørslundvej towards Fasterholt. From there, the tour continues past Meldgård Lake, along Brunkulsvej to the Brown Coal Museum, and on to the viewpoint – before cycling back to Fasterholt and Brande via Frihedevej.
Under the provided links, you can see the route to the Brown Coal Museum and the return route.
At Søby Brown Coal Museum, you can take a break. There’s a bicycle station with e-bike chargers, tools, pumps, and repair service – open 24 hours a day, all year round.
During the season (April 1 – autumn holidays), the shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., selling ice cream and drinks. The museum’s toilets and water tap are freely available.
A trip along the Brown Coal Route offers nature, history, and tranquility – right in the heart of Jutland.