The Ancient Road Hærvejen

The road follows the watershed along the Jutland ridge, taking you through remarkable natural landscapes. The stretch between Viborg and Jelling is called Kongernes Hærvej ("The Kings' Hærvej") because of the two towns' historical connections to former Danish kings — Viborg, for many hundreds of years, was the city where Danish kings were paid tribute.

In the past, Hærvejen was one of the main roads in Jutland, extensively used by pilgrims, traders, and soldiers. One of its advantages was the two parallel tracks for northbound and southbound travellers, which helped prevent traffic jams. In addition, its location on the Jutland ridge meant that travellers did not have to cross many streams.

During the 19th century, much of the traffic disappeared due to the development of railways and main roads.

Today, along Hærvejen, you can combine an active holiday surrounded by breathtaking nature with a historical journey through time. Here, you literally walk in the footsteps of those who travelled this route hundreds of years ago. A trip along Hærvejen takes you through some of Jutland's most beautiful landscapes — from the Dollerup Hills and Randbøl Heath to the source of the Gudenå River.

You can divide the route into stages, and along the way, you will pass several dining and accommodation options, allowing you to plan your trip according to your preferences.

Read more here to find helpful information and plan your trip using online maps and stage descriptions.