Hiking Holiday on Hærvejen
Follow in the footsteps of history and experience Hærvejen – Denmark’s most scenic hiking and cycling route.
Stretching through Jutland from Hirtshals and Frederikshavn in the north to Padborg at the German border, the route follows ancient tracks that for thousands of years connected people, trade, and culture.
Along the way, you’ll encounter burial mounds, runestones, medieval churches, and historic towns, surrounded by some of Jutland’s most beautiful and diverse landscapes with forests, lakes, heathlands, and open plains. It’s the perfect way to experience authentic Denmark – at your own pace.
A Cultural Route with Deep Roots
The Ancient Road was never built – it simply emerged over time. For centuries, pilgrims, merchants, ox drivers, and kings with their armies travelled this way.
Before trains and motorways, Hærvejen was the main road through Jutland.
Today, it’s a recreational route for nature lovers, hikers, and cyclists, offering calm, reflection, and a close connection to Danish nature and history.
Practical Information – Hiking the Ancient Road
-
Total length: approx. 480–490 km
-
Duration: around 17–18 days (20–30 km per day)
-
Starting points: Hirtshals, Frederikshavn or Aalborg
-
End point: Padborg
-
Terrain: forest trails, country roads, small paved roads
-
Suitable for: hiking, cycling, and pilgrimages
Example stages:
-
Hirtshals/Frederikshavn – Hjørring
-
Aalborg – Rebild
-
Rebild – Viborg
-
Viborg – Silkeborg
-
Silkeborg – Jelling
-
Jelling – Kolding
-
Kolding – Rødding/Jels
-
Haderslev – Ribe
-
Ribe – Tønder
-
Tønder – Padborg
Facts about the Route
-
Hiking: Frederikshavn–Padborg (476.4 km)
-
Hiking: Hirtshals–Padborg (493.7 km)
-
Cycling: Frederikshavn–Padborg (450.8 km)
-
Duration: approx. 17–18 days
-
Regions: North Jutland, Central Jutland and Southern Jutland
Danhostels Along the Ancient Road
Many Danhostels are located directly on or close to the Ancient Road (Hærvejen), making it easy to plan your overnight stays with comfort, local food, and friendly hosts.
Enjoy a good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and plenty of local recommendations for the next stage of your journey.
North Jutland:
-
Danhostel Frederikshavn City
-
Danhostel Sæby
-
Danhostel Rebild
Central Jutland:
-
Danhostel Viborg
-
Danhostel Silkeborg
-
Danhostel Kjellerup
Southern Jutland:
-
Danhostel Kolding
-
Danhostel Rødding
-
Danhostel Jels (Thorhallen)
-
Danhostel Haderslev
-
Danhostel Vejen Sport Resort
Plan Your Hærvejen Adventure in 2025
Whether you dream of a multi-day hiking trip through Jutland, a cycling holiday with the family, or a pilgrimage filled with peace and nature, you’ll find plenty of comfortable, sustainable places to stay at Danhostels along the route.
Danhostel Thorhallen, Jels har 15 lyse værelser, med eget bad og toilet, samt gode...
Velkommen til Danhostel Aalborg – perfekt overnatning til et uforglemmeligt ophold...
Hosts Laila and Morten Truelsen welcome you to low-priced accommodation at Danhostel...
Experience vibrant City Life in Aarhus when you book your accommodation at Danhostel...
Danhostel Brande is in the centre of Brande, close to the train station and boutique...
Do you love big city life and an international crowd? Then Danhostel Copenhagen City...
Danhostel Esbjerg, housed in a historic building dating back to 1916, is close to ma...
Danhostel Faxe is close to the town centre and overlooks the splendid...
Danhostel Fjaltring, Denmark’s smallest hostel, was built in 2000.  ...
Danhostel Fredericia sits on a hill in the conservation area called Madsby Meadows....
Danhostel Frederikshavn City is a bright hostel located at (Vægtetorv) Watchman Squ...
Danhostel Gjerrild, situated at the tip of Djursland, is in a small, village near a...
Danhostel Grindsted-Billund, a newly renovated, child-friendly hostel in Mid Jutland...
Danhostel Haderslev, situated at Haderslev Lake in the middle of unspoilt nature, is...
Danhostel Helsingør, also known as Villa Moltke, lies on the outskirts of the exper...
Stay at budget prices and enjoy a cosy, relaxed stay in one of Henne Strand’s most...
Danhostel Hillerød lies in scenic surroundings close to Frederiksborg Castle, Hille...
Stay at Danhostel Hobro in lovely buildings with 20 modern rooms with private bathro...
Welcome to Danhostel Horsens where low-priced, pleasant accommodation awaits you. Da...
Danhostel Ishøj Strand enjoys fantastic views of the beach and offers budget accomm...
Welcome to our beautiful nature cabins Combine nature and comfort on your next stay...
Danhostel Kolding offers accommodation for single travellers, groups, families and s...
Danhostel Maribo Stay in cosy and exclusive cabins in beautiful surroundings. The...
Danhostel Nykøbing Mors, situated by a delightful child-friendly blue flag beach, i...
You will find Danhostel Nørresundby IC on top of the city. The hotel...
Danhostel Odense City is our 3-star, 4-storey hostel, situated next to Odense bus an...
Your adventure begins when you stay at Danhostel Rebild located next door to Rebild...
Danhostel Ribe, located in the heart of Denmark's oldest town, has direct access to...
Stay at Danhostel Ringkøbing where there is Room for Sports, Play and Learning...
Danhostel Ringsted is a few minutes’ walk from Ringsted’s town centre. We are ho...
Danhostel Roskilde lies in a unique environment in Roskilde harbour next door to the...
Accommodation at Danhostel Rødding located in South Jutland Danhostel Rødding, loc...
Our hostel, Danhostel Rønde, sits proudly above the town of Rønde and overlooks th...
Host, Janne Hansen, welcomes you to lovely Danhostel Sakskøbing located in a green...
At Danhostel Sandvig on Bornholm, you get budget accommodation at a popular Danhoste...
Danhostel Silkeborg is probably Denmark's best-situated hostel. Our piece of p...
Surrounded by white sand beaches, nature reserves and a unique light, Danhostel Skag...
Danhostel Skanderborg welcome all to our hostel located in the middle of a fabulous...
Overnatning i Vestjylland tæt på Skjern Å Velkommen til Danhostel Skjern, hvor d...
Book Your Accommodation at Danhostel Store Heddinge located near the UNESCO Sit...
Danhostel Stoholm Danhostel Stoholm is located in the cozy town of Stoholm in Centr...
Danhostel Svendborg / STØBERIET – Your Ideal Stay in the Heart of South Funen ST...
Danhostel Sæby - Sæby Spektrum & DanHostel is located in the northern part of...
Danhostel Sønderborg-Vollerup sits on a 5-acre oasis and is a great hostel for fami...
Danhostel Thyborøn lies in the middle of Thyborøn, between the North Sea and Limfj...
Danhostel Tisvildeleje, part of Sankt Helene Holiday Resort, is an oasis in North Ze...
Enjoy Physical and Mental Well-Being when You Book Accommodation at Danhostel Tønde...
Spend your next holiday at Danhostel Vejen and combine your stay with a wealth of ac...
AFFORDABLE AND COMFY STAY IN VEJLE – COZY ROOMS – BED & BREAKFAST - JUST A 2...
At Danhostel Viborg, we have the perfect environment for various types of training.&...
Stay at Danhostel Vitskøl Kloster, a historic gem located in West Himmerland at the...
Danhostel Vordingborg, with trails and lakes, is situated in peaceful surroundings o...