Hygge cycling

Baltic Sea cycle path

820 kilometres of signposted cycle path around the Danish Baltic Sea

Long-distance cyclists have long been familiar with the Baltic Sea Cycle Route - Østersørouten in Danish. In recent years, intensive work has been carried out on the route and the standardised and consistent signposting with "N 8" has been completed. Reason enough to officially inaugurate the national cycle route once again in May 2018.

The route now runs in a great eight for 820 kilometres from Padborg on the German-Danish border near Flensburg through the fjord landscape west of the Little Belt, the archipelago around South Funen, across the eastern Danish islands of Lolland and Falster to Møn with its famous chalk cliffs Møns Klint.

Five ferries and eight bridges help cyclists to get from island to island. For the new route, even more emphasis was placed on traffic-free roads and, of course, the proximity to the Baltic Sea. This means that there may be the occasional stretch of unpaved road, but it is almost always free of inclines. The historic trading and harbour towns such as Fredericia, Middelfart and Svendborg and picturesque villages such as Faaborg with its pretty half-timbered and thatched-roof houses provide variety.

The new Østersø route is just one of a total of eleven long-distance cycle routes in Denmark and can be combined with the North Sea Cycle Route and the Berlin-Copenhagen Cycle Route, for example. But there are also shorter day tours along the main route on offer.

Island of Funen

Official UCI Cycling Region and Bike Island

Thanks to various high-ranking cycling events, Funen (Danish: Fyn) has now earned the title of UCI Cycling Region. The excellent cycling infrastructure with over 1,200 kilometres of signposted cycle paths also benefits holiday cyclists. And they can really spoil themselves on Fyn. For example on a culinary route.

Many small chocolate factories, micro-breweries and wineries (!) lie along the way and invite you to sample their unusual creations. Those who like to reside in a stately home are welcome as guests in some of Fyn's manor houses and castles.

Alternatively, there are over 40 Bed+Bike-certified accommodation options to choose from on Fyn. Those interested in culture can follow in the footsteps of Denmark's most famous storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen. In Odense, Andersen's birthplace, a tour starts at the open-air museum Den Fynske Landsby, where you can visit the fairytale garden, among other things. Every year in August, the Hans Christian Andersen Festival takes place with theatre performances, concerts and light shows. There are more than 90 smaller islands around Funen, some of them uninhabited, which can be reached by ferry and offer even more idyllic cycle paths. Along the sea, through cool forests to noble residences and lively harbour towns.

Lolland/Møn

Maximum enjoyment

Numerous gourmet and panoramic routes await cyclists on the islands of Lolland-Falster and Møn. For example, the 49-kilometre food route from farm shop to farm shop, from smoked eel to honey and cider. The chalk cliffs at the eastern end of the island of Møn are a scenic highlight.

The cliffs, which are more than 100 metres high, rival those on the island of Rügen. From the island's capital Stege, a 50-kilometre round trip leads to the chalk cliffs at Møns Klint. You should plan some energy for the 20-minute walk down and up to the beach. The exhibition in the local Geological Museum is also well worth a visit.

Lillebælt

Adventureland

The Little Belt (Lillebælt) is home to the world's largest population of harbour porpoises. A 25 kilometre long harbour porpoise cycle tour has been developed to match this, on which the former importance of whaling for the local population can still be seen at many points.

The route takes you over the old Kleine Belt bridge, from where you can keep a marvellous lookout for the porpoises. Cyclists who need more adrenalin can take a bridge walk over the Kleine Belt bridge, learn more about the Lillebælt region at a height of 60 metres and enjoy the view as far as Jutland and Funen.

South Jutland

On the trail of history

The border region of South Jutland (Danish: Sønderjylland) has more than 3,000 kilometres of local and regional cycle routes to offer. Many of the themed routes focus on the war between Prussia and Denmark, which culminated in Dybbøl in 1864.

On the 80-kilometre 1864 route, it is worth taking a detour to Dybbøl Banke, a history centre where the battle is presented in detail and vividly. You can experience even more varied history on the 130 kilometre border route between Flensburg and Højer.

Info & addresses

Overnight stay

A total of 184 Bed+Bike accommodations are available in Denmark. These guarantee lockable storage rooms, air pumps and tools. They also provide useful tips on routes and places of interest. www.aktivdanmark.de

Denmark is also known for its large number of holiday homes. The free catalogue "Holiday homes and cycling happiness" from the provider Novasol, for example, provides an overview, www.novasol.dkor for a cycling holiday in a holiday home www.feriepartner.de

Bus, train & ferry

Denmark has a close-knit public transport network that offers many options for taking bicycles with you. Bicycles can be taken on most Danish trains without any problems. A bicycle ticket is required. In the summer months, it is advisable to make a reservation.

The express bus routes between the Danish regions generally also transport bicycles. However, space for bicycles is limited and reservations are recommended.

Bicycles are usually carried on Danish ferries without reservation.

Tour descriptions & tracks

general: VisitDenmark, visitdenmark.de

Funen: bikeislandfyn.de, visitfyn.de

Southern Jutland: visitsonderjylland.de

Lillebælt: visitlillebaelt.de

Lolland-Falster/Møn: visitlolland-falster.de, cphcoastandcountryside.com

Helpful! The Bike +Camp DK app not only contains routes and directions, but also refers to campsites and attractions along the route. Available for iOS and Android.

Watch out! Bike Friends" live in houses that have this sticker in the window. They are happy to help with water or repair kit.

The full article was published in MYBIKE issue 5/2018. You can download the issue in the MYBIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or in the DK-Shop order.