Denmark: Jutland

Aarhus has been named European Capital of Culture 2017 – and not without reason. It boasts of cozy cobblestone streets, charming squares, many cafés and trendy shops. The city is enclosed by forests and beaches and a mere 10- 15 minutes cycle ride will bring you to peaceful bike tracks in the beautiful countryside.

Enjoy a week with sandy beaches, wind in your hair, salt on your skin, fairytale views, idyllic rural life, fascinating museums, Nordic cuisine, romantic villages and peaceful bike paths.

TOUR PROFILE: Biking in Denmark is something special. Cyclists are given very high priority in Denmark. In the towns you fill find bicycle paths and at the coastline, along the lakes, in the forests, and through the green fields you will find peaceful lanes and paths specially designed for cyclists. In Denmark you will meet picturesque villages, a countryside that varies all the time, well- preserved castles and manor houses, clean and sandy beaches and you will enjoy the clear, fresh air. 

The terrain of this tour is flat with occasional small hills. The tour is rated leisurely and is suited for cyclists in average physical condition. You ride along bike paths and minor roads. We will provide GPS- tracks and a road book with day descriptions and highlights.

The hotel is situated in Aarhus city center within walking distance of the main sights: The Old Town, the Cathedral, the Marina, the Aros art museum (famous for its Olafur Eliasson rainbow panorama), the Music House, the Latin Quarter and the cosy cafés along the river.

We start with an easy day’s cycling. You leave the city by the cycle path along the stream “Aarhus Å”. After a couple of km you are away from the noisy city, and cycling through wetlands and along lakes, before reaching a hilly stretch of road. On friendly roads you continue down and westward into the diverse, rich Danish countryside reaching the small provincial village Ry located on the banks of Gudenåen - the only real river in Denmark.

Today you have different options. You can take the boat “Himmelbjergbåden” from Ry to “Himmelbjerget” and walk from the lakeside to the top, take a canoe trip on the lakes or cycle around the area.

On bike: Ry to Silkeborg. 51 km and 300 m ascent biking today will take you through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled countrysides in the Central Jutland Region, as you cross from the hilly moraine terrain into a flatter landscape. First you ride north around one of the many lakes, Salten Langsø, through clearings in the woodlands replete with blueberries, junipers and heather. Then the track follows an ancient railway track passing by Vrads Station with vintage trains and a café. Finally you reach Vrads Sande, a unique landscape of inland sand dunes. The stage ends in Silkeborg: the “capital” of the Lake District.

Art enthusiasts should also be sure to visit the museum of one of Denmark’s major painters, Asger Jorn. From Silkeborg you can take the train back to Ry or you can bike along the northern bank of Gudenåen back to Ry. A nice tour in a hilly woodland with beautiful sights. Extra 19 km/145 m ascent.

If you want to spend more time in Silkeborg, you can take the shorter and more direct way to Silkeborg along the northern bank of Gudenåen and take the train back. 

Today you cycle along some of the nicest lakes in Denmark with beautiful views to the highest “mountains” in Denmark – all less than 200 m above sea level. Burial mounds, the monastery of Øm and the many archaeological finds indicate the old history in the area. Skanderborg is one of the exciting places to visit today and it fits well with a lunch break here in this charming lakeside town. After Skanderborg you cycle past Stilling Lake and back into the hills, where you have a view of the sea, before you reach Odder.

Visit Denmark’s renewable energy island known for ist microclimate and organic farming. A ferry trip of one hour takes you to Sælvig (the fare is not included) and the planned tour takes you around the northern part of Samsø with its very unique hilly seaside landscape. Everything on Samsø is small and very pretty, untouched beaches and peaceful villages with cafés and markets where they sell local products. Even a Danish wine production has found its way to Samsø.

From Odder you cycle to the east coast where you find attractive areas for holiday homes and you will have a view of the many wind turbines. In very few places in Europe you can find beaches and nice cycle routes as close to a city as it’s the case with Aarhus. You will pass Norsminde Fjord where you find the lock that divides the sea from the lake. It is very popular for fishing and it is a very nice place for a picnic. Hereafter you cycle through Marselisborg Forest to Aarhus Bay. Then you leave the coast line to cycle pass the summer residence of the Danish Queen before arriving at the city centre.

Check out and departure. You can also choose to give yourself the treat of extending your stay in Aarhus so you can explore the museums, the cozy atmosphere, and the many forests and beaches.

• 6x Accomodation in comfortable 3 *** hotels incl. breakfast buffet
• Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel
• GPS with route tracks
• Road book with information about highlights and sightseeing along the route
• Hotline service in case of problems
  

• Bike rental  (Hybrid-Touring bike)- € 100,-
• E-Bike - € 300,-
• Helmet- rental - € 10,-

You will stay in good and comfortable rooms in good hotels along the route.

Arriving by car: via Highway
Parking lot is available on request.

Arriving by plane: Aarhus Airport (Tirstrup) and Billund. From Tirstrup you can take the airport bus (about € 15,-) and from Billund for about € 25,- to Aarhus City.

Arriving by train: Railway station Aarhus Central – the station is about 200 meters away from the hotel.

Climate:
Cycling in Denmark is ideal from late May to mid-September. You will be able to enjoy pleasant temperatures and daylight from very early morning until late evening.

Bicycles: 
New and good hybrid touring bikes with 21-gear (freewheel). You can choose a women’s or men’s bike. Helmets are not required in Denmark, but we recommend wearing a helmet! The bikes are equipped with a saddle bag, handlebar bags, repair kit, pump, lock and bicycle computer.

2 persons

Arrival every Sunday from 21.05.-10.09.2023 possible.
Special dates are available for groups of 8 or more on request.