North Sea Trail: Hirtshals – Skagen

6000-8000 years ago, Hirtshals was actually the most northerly point of Denmark! The town itself, however, is not very old. The town plan was drawn by the architect Steen Eiler Rasmussen as late as the 1920s. There was only a single farm there at the time, but when the harbour was finished in 1930 a big group of fishermen decided to settle in the town. The harbour and the town are closely connected today by Den Grønne Plads (The Green Square) and the large, characteristic monument Trappen (The Staircase). Consequently, the activities at the old fishing port and the town life melt together and creates a unique and authentic atmosphere.

You will be staying right next to the sea in the western part of town close to the impressive, elevated lighthouse, which is well worth a visit for the fantastic view from the top!

Overnight: Hirtshals

Distance: 18 km | Ascent: 82 m | Descent: 82 m | Time: 4½ hrs approx.

On your first hiking day you will walk from east to west along the coast to the small and charming seaside village of Tversted. A large part of the route follows peaceful forest trails through the dune plantations of Lilleheden and Uggerby. After 14½ km you reach the Uggerby Å river, whose tranquil waters are popular for canoeing and trout fishing. Crossing the bridge, you then follow a raised boardwalk along the bank of the river which leads you to yet another pristine white sandy beach. You walk along the beach until you reach another stream – Tversted Å. Follow a sandy path upstream which will take you to the Café Fisk seafood restaurant in the centre of Tversted.

Overnight: Tversted

Distance: 22 km | Ascent: 93 m | Descent: 93 m | Time: 5½ hrs approx.

The first part of today’s route takes you through the beautiful dune plantation of Tversted Woods. You will pass some small idyllic forest lakes, followed by the thatched Østerklit mill – the last working roof mill in Denmark. Shortly after Skiveren campsite (where you can stop for lunch at the café), you descend from the high dunes onto the beach, via a wooden staircase. You follow the beach for almost 4 km, then turn inland onto a narrow sandy path amid heather and moorland. Gradually, the dazzling white sands of the drifting inland dunes of Råbjerg Mile come into view. You will cross the edge of the 40-metre high dunes before following more peaceful forest paths through the Bunken dune plantation to the sleepy hamlet of Hulsig.

Overnight: Hulsig/Skagen

Distance: 13 km | Ascent: 33 m | Descent: 42 m | Time: 3½ hrs approx.

A shorter stage today, as you make your way along the east coast of the sand spit known as Skagen Odde. A quiet tree-lined road takes you through the picturesque Hulsig Heath. This takes you to yet another idyllic beach, this time on Jutland’s more sheltered east coast, on the shores of the Kattegat (Baltic). After 4 km you turn inland toward the woods of the Skagen dune plantation. Here you will find another example of the spectacular forces of nature at work in this region: the picturesque whitewashed tower of Den Tilsandede Kirke, (sand-covered church). The tower is all that remains of what was once the region’s biggest church, the main part of the church having fallen victim to the relentless sand drift over the centuries.

You will have plenty of time to explore the town of Skagen on arrival. Denmark’s most northerly town is characterised by its distinctive yellow houses with white-picket fences. Skagen is also renowned for its wonderful natural light, which attracted and inspired the famous Skagen painters to make the town their home. There are numerous galleries and museums in the town, as well as some excellent seafood restaurants located in the harbour’s iconic red fish warehouses.

Overnight: Skagen

Your walking holiday along the North Sea Trail comes to an end after breakfast this morning. However, we can warmly recommend an extra night in Skagen, so you have time to get to Grenen, which is the very tip of Denmark. Here you can observe the waves of the Kattegat (part of the Baltic Sea) and Skagerrak (part of the North Sea) crashing into each other. We have a great circular walk that takes in Grenen and the lovely village of Gammel Skagen (Old Skagen), if you feel like more hiking.