Sabotage discovered on new bike trail hours before official opening

A taut wire and large rock were found deliberately placed as hazards on a newly built bike trail in Torpo, Ål municipality, just hours before its official opening, Dagbladet reports.

The wire was strung tightly across the steepest section of the trail, while the rock was positioned in the landing zone—both designed to cause serious harm, according to Bjørn Herbrand Tretterud, a board member of Ål Trail Builders Association. “It’s clear to me the intent was to injure people,” he said.

The trail network, set to open Monday, is intended for cyclists, wheelchair users, and pedestrians. Tretterud described the wire as firmly secured between two trees, ruling out accidental placement. “I’m relieved no one rode the trail before we arrived. The wire wouldn’t have snapped—this could have ended badly.”

Police have been notified. The incident follows three years of planning, approvals, and public consultations, with no prior objections raised. “It’s hard to understand why someone would react this way now,” Tretterud said.

Despite the sabotage, the official opening proceeded as planned, with hundreds attending the event.