East Jutland and Samsø – 6 nights | 5 stages

East Jutland and Samsø – 6 nights | 5 stages

Day 1 - Arrival in Aarhus

Today you arrive in the beautiful city of Aarhus. The hotel is situated in Aarhus city centre 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 Concert Hall, the Latin Quarter and the cosy cafés along the river. 

Overnight stay in Aarhus.

Day 2 - Aarhus to Ry (41 km)

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. 

Overnight stay in Ry.

Day 3 - Ry to Silkeborg and back (69 km)

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

Your other option is going to Silkeborg by bike. The 51 km route, with a 300 m ascent, will take you through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled countryside 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.
In Silkeborg, 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  the river Gudenåen back to Ry. With this extra 19 km/145m ascent, you get a nice tour in a hilly woodlands with beautiful sights along the way.

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.

Overnight stay in Ry.

Day 4 - Ry to Odder via Skanderborg (43 km)

Today you cycle along some of the nicest lakes in Denmark with beautiful views to the highest ”mountains” in the country - 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. 

Overnight stay in Odder.

Day 5 - Visiting Samsø (70 km)

Visit Denmark’s renewable energy island known for its 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. 

Overnight stay in Odder.

Day 6 - Odder to Aarhus (34 km)

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. 

Overnight stay in the Aarhus.

Day 7 - Return

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