Discover the varied and beautiful landscape along the most famous hiking route in Denmark.
Take in the atmosphere and historic sites of Viborg, Jutland’s old episcopal residence.
Walk through vast forests and tranquil heathland.
Experience the beautiful landscapes around Lake Hald and the Hills of Dollerup.
Visit legendary historical places like Grathe Heath.
Jutland’s ‘Hærvejen’ trail is the most famous and well-described hiking route in Denmark. Established in the Middle Ages, it was the most important route through Jutland for the transport of animals and goods, for pilgrims, for the armies and for the kings and their followers. It remained so until the appearance of the railways.
The trail runs along the watershed of the Jutland Peninsula, known as the ‘Jyske Højderyg’ (Jutland Ridge) all the way from Viborg to Hamburg in Germany. By using this route, one could avoid rivers, or ford them close to their origins where they were still shallow. As time went by this route was improved with paved fords, embankments and bridges.
The route was designated as a European Cultural Route in 2010 and the tourist offices in the surrounding towns have together established a dedicated website with a detailed description of the route, as well as sites of interest along the way: www.haervej.com.
On this stage from Viborg to Lake Bølling you will find many historical sites. The surrounding landscape is scenic and tranquil as you wander through woodland and heath, over rolling hills and along serene lakes. You will only need to carry a light day pack as your main luggage is transported between B&B’s.
| 5 DAY TOUR | From €390 per person sharing*
*A single supplement charge will apply for solo walkers |
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| ACCOMMODATION |
You will stay in selected B&B’s or hotels.
You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodations along the way. |
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| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week, subject to availability, between April 15th and September 15th. | ||||||||||||||
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| OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
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Day 1: Arrival in Viborg
Your hiking holiday starts in Viborg, where you stay in a B&B in the town centre. Viborg is an old episcopal residence and was Jutland’s most important city during the Middle Ages. Take time to explore the old town centre and cathedral and walk down the lovely cobbled street Sct. Mogens Gade, where you will find several houses dating from the Middle Ages. You can also visit Sortebrødre Church, which is the only building remaining from the old Dominican abbey, or Søndermarks Church, where you will find a 10 m long tapestry embroidered with scenes from your upcoming hiking route Hærvejen.
Overnight: Viborg
Day 2: From Viborg to Dollerup Bakker
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 157 m | Descent: 132 m | Time: 4 hrs approx.
Leaving Viborg, you follow Hærvejen south into Liseborg Forest. For the next 8 km you will be walking along quiet forest paths through Viborg Hedeplantage, Viborg Krat and Langskov, before reaching the old inn Niels Bugges Kro, situated on the banks of Lake Hald (in Danish Hald Sø). North of Niels Bugges Kro, on a tongue of land, you can see the remains of a castle from the Middle Ages and from here there is a beautiful view over the lake. 300-400 m north of the inn you will find Hald Hovedgård, where there is an exhibition about the area’s landscape and culture. You continue about 3 km along the lake and reach the beautiful hills of Dollerup Bakker. Most of the area around Hald Sø and Dollerup Bakker is protected as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Overnight: Dollerup Bakker
Day 3: From Dollerup Bakker to Ulvedal Plantage
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 108 m | Descent: 78 m | Time: 4 hrs approx.
Having enjoyed the view over Dollerup Bakker and Hald Sø, you continue through the little village of Skelhøje and along quiet forest tracks through Stendal and Havredal Plantage where you will see many protected burial mounds. You then walk along Ulvedal Plantage, where you will pass a 4000-year-old long burial tomb known as ‘The Cave of Jens Langkniv’ (Jens Langkniv was an outlaw – a Danish Robin Hood). It was in this area that the famous Danish writer Steen Steensen Blicher lived and walked around picking up stories from the local farmers. His rectory was located in Thorning, just 2 km from Hærvejen, and in the rectory there is now a museum about Blicher and the surrounding area.
You will be picked up at Ulvedal Plantage and driven to your accommodation near Thorning.
Overnight: Thorning/Karup
Day 4: From Ulvedal Plantage to Lake Bølling
Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 104 m | Descent: 76 m | Time: 5 hrs approx.
From Ulvedal Plantage you continue to the Haller Å stream, where the deep tracks from old carts are still visible leading down to the stream. After a few more kilometres you reach the idyllic Grathe heath, where Svend Grathe was killed in the famous royal battle with Valdemar the Great, which marked Jutland’s victory over the armies of Skåne and Zealand. Continue through Kompedal Plantage, where conscientious objectors were once doomed to forest work. Another forest path, through the beautiful Stenholt forest, takes you toward the northern shore of Lake Bølling, where you leave Hærvejen. After a few hundred meters the route ends at Bøllingsø Camping, where you will be spending your last night. Relax with a cold drink and enjoy your achievement. If you have more energy, you can check out the nearby Klosterlund Museum with findings from some of the oldest settlements in Jutland dating back 8000 years.
Overnight: Lake Bølling
Day 5: Departure from Lake Bølling
From Bøllingsø Camping there is only 3 kilometers to Engesvang Station. From here you can take a train to Silkeborg and continue your onward journey.
Getting to Viborg
| The nearest airport is Aarhus Airport. You can also fly to Billund, Aalborg, Copenhagen or Hamburg airports. | |
| From the airport you can get to Viborg by either train or bus or a combination. Check www.journeyplanner.dk to find the best connections. From Viborg Station it is only a short walk to your B&B. |
Getting from Lake Bølling
| From Bøllingsø Camping there is only 3 kilometers to Engesvang Station (80 kr. with a taxi). From Engesvang Station you can take a train to Silkeborg and continue your onward journey from there.
You can plan your trip on www.journeyplanner.dk. |
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