Aarhus and Samsø Island, Denmark by bike
Denmark has more than 12,000 km of safe and marked bicycle paths. It is a cyclist's paradise. This bike trip takes you to Jutland to Aarhus, the European Capital of Culture in 2017 surrounded by forests and beaches. You will pass through idyllic landscapes and romantic villages before visiting the green island of Samso.
This tour through Denmark by bike also invites you to savor Nordic cuisine on the North Sea route.
Highlights of the trip:
- Aarhus, its cafés and museums
- the seaside and the forests
- some of the highest points in Denmark
- the island of Samsø
- the lake district and the sky mountain
Day 1 - Arrival in Aarhus
Today you arrive in the beautiful Danish city of Aarhus. The hotel is located in the city center, just a few minutes away from the main sights: the old town, the cathedral, the marina, the Aros art museum (famous for Olafur Eliasson's Rainbow Panorama), the Latin Quarter and the cozy cafes along the river.
Overnight in Aarhus.
Day 2 - Aarhus to Ry (approx. 41 km / 25 miles)
You leave the city of Aarhus by bike along the bike path along the stream "Aarhus Å". After a few kilometers, you cycle through wetlands and along lakes to a hilly stretch of road. You continue your bike tour westward through the rich and diverse Danish countryside to the small provincial village Ry on the banks of Gudenåen. This is the only real river in Denmark.
Overnight in Ry.
Day 3 - Ry to Silkeborg and back (about 69 km / 43 miles)
Today there are several options. You can take the boat "Hjejlen" from Ry to "Himmelbjerget" and walk along the lake shore to the top, take a canoe trip on the lakes or take a bike tour around the area.
The cycling option takes you to Silkeborg on a 51 km route, with 300 m of elevation gain. You will ride through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes in the Central Jutland region. First you ride north around one of the many lakes, Salten Langsø, through clearings in the woods, full of blueberries, juniper and heather. Then the bike path follows an old railroad line, passing the Vrads train station with vintage trains and a café. You finally reach Vrads Sande, in a unique landscape of sand dunes. The stage ends in Silkeborg - the "capital" of the Lake District.
In Silkeborg, art lovers should not miss the museum of a great Danish painter, Asger Jorn. From Silkeborg you can take the train back to Ry, or you can cycle along the north bank of the Gudenåen River back to Ry. This additional 19 km route guides you through the rolling woods while offering beautiful views. If you want to spend more time in Silkeborg, you can take the shorter route to Silkeborg along the north bank of the Gudenåen and take the train to Ry.
Overnight in Ry.
Day 4 - Ry to Odder via Skanderborg (approx. 43 km / 27 miles)
Today you drive along some of Denmark's most beautiful lakes with beautiful views of the country's highest "mountains" - all under 200 m in height. The burial mounds, the monastery of Øm and the many archaeological finds bear witness to the ancient history of the area. Skanderborg is an exceptional place to visit today. You can enjoy a lunch break in this charming lakeside town. After Skanderborg, you pass Lake Stilling and return to the hills with a view of the sea before reaching Odder.
Overnight in Odder.
Day 5 - Visit Samsø Island (approx. 70 km / 43 miles)
Visit Denmark's renewable energy island known for its microclimate and organic farming. A one-hour ferry trip takes you to Sælvig (fare not included) in the northern part of Samsø with its unique and remarkable hilly seaside landscape. Everything in Samsø is small and very pretty, with unspoiled beaches and quiet villages, their cafes and markets selling local products. You will even find a Danish wine production in Samsø.
Overnight in Odder.
Day 6 - Odder to Aarhus (approx. 34 km / 21 miles)
In Odder you can pass Fru Møllers Mølleri, which serves as a farm store, restaurant, ice cream parlour and butcher's shop. You leave Odder and cycle to the east coast where you can admire beautiful vacation homes and enjoy a view of the many windmills. Very few places in Europe have beaches and beautiful bike paths as close to a city as Aarhus.
You will pass Norsminde Fjord where you will find the lock that separates the sea from the lake. It is very popular for fishing and it is a very nice place to have lunch in the open air. On the way to Aarhus, we also recommend a stop at the Moesgaard Museum, which is a modern museum specializing in archaeology and ethnography.
The drive continues through the Marselisborg forest to Aarhus Bay, where you can visit the Infinite Bridge on the road - a circular swimming bridge and a work of art that stretches across Aarhus Bay. You leave the coast to drive past the Danish Queen's summer residence, Marselisborg Palace, before reaching downtown Aarhus.
Overnight in Aarhus.
Day 7 - End of the tour in Aarhus
Your cycling tour in Denmark ends after breakfast. You can extend your stay in Aarhus and explore the museums, soak up the cozy atmosphere and enjoy the many forests and beaches around.