To rejoice the 100 yr anniversary of the current Danish/German border in 2020, an excellent good friend and I made a decision to hike the 84 kilometre path referred to as Gendarmstien, or The Gendarme Path. It follows the japanese a part of the border on the Danish facet and is roughly comprised of the identical paths the outdated border patrol – the Gendarms – used to police the realm from 1920 to 1958 to forestall smugglers bringing in items to Denmark with out paying tax.
The path presents sights of each historic significance in addition to scenic and was the primary route in Denmark to obtain the European Quality Trail certification. The 84 kilometre mountaineering route is split into 5 levels, however will be accomplished in 4 days and even much less. You encounter many enjoyable details about Denmark, its historical past, geology, natural world alongside the best way.
An excellent route, bordering to excellent! Check out the path with map in the long run of the article for extra sensible info.
Stage 1: Bjergetapen / Mountain stage
The first leg of the path is named Bjergetapen – Mountain stage – due to the numerous hills and ravines that have been created over the last ice age 10.000 years in the past. The tunnel valley was fashioned by meltwater that ran in tunnels below the ice and washed giant quantities of clay, sand and rocks out in entrance of the ice the place it deposited. You can see the outcome as we speak within the type of the wealthy clay soil, the steep slopes and gorges in addition to the numerous springs, lakes and streams alongside the trail.
From deep ravines to charming meadows, by way of deep inexperienced birch forests and alongside a shoreline dotted with stunning villas and mansions, this brief stage delivers contrasting views. Especially Kollund Forest is awe-inspiring with its costal forest. We stored a watch out for the black woodpecker, which is present in solely a only a few locations in Denmark as we speak. Similar in dimension to a crow, the black woodpecker is a formidable hen with a robust beak that may strike a tree 20 instances in simply 2 seconds! Many of the timber within the forest bear witness to its visits, and whereas we noticed the numerous holes, the woodpecker itself didn’t reveal itself.
The stage ends in Sønderhav after solely 15 kilometres, starting at Padborg Train station, so its doable to reach by practice within the afternoon and get began on the path. We, nonetheless, had begun the hike a bit earlier and walked one other 3,5 kilometres to spent the night time in a cabin close to Rønshoved.
Awesome range!
Stage 2: Tegletapen / Brick stage
We spent the night time in an enthralling cabin at Naturlejrpladsen close to Rønshoved and wakened prepared to overcome the subsequent stage of Gendarmstien; Tegletapen, or Brick stage. We began by strolling previous a monument to the primary Danish Queen; Margrethe I, as she is meant to have died on her ship simply off the coast again in 1412.
Otherwise, this 20 kilometre stretch was clearly outlined by the numerous brickworks (as many as 76!) that operated on this space. Because the Ice Ages deposited the best clay on this space, it grew to become the inspiration for brickworks courting again so far as to the Middle Ages. When a brick was broken through the baking course of, it was both tossed out into the firth or used as basis for the numerous jetties. This means, that the seashores alongside the path are full of clean brick stones in all sizes.
The “capital” of the brickworks was Egernsund, the place we crossed the bascule bridge and admired the brickwork sculptures simply off the bridge, while devouring a scorching canine from the native scorching canine stand. The city was house to a bunch of artists through the time when the realm was a part of Germany. From 1880 to 1920, the Ekensund Artists’ Colony was Germany’s model of the Danish “Skagen Painters” and created many stunning artistic endeavors.
The day was completely stunning for mountaineering, and we washed away the journey mud within the firth after we’d arrange tent on a primitive (and free!) camp at Brunsnæs. Sitting collectively across the campfire with fellow hikers and exchanging tales and laughs was an ideal approach to finish an ideal day!
Little did we all know, that the subsequent day was going to be radically totally different.
Stage 3: Krageetapen / Crow stage
The third leg of the Gendarmstien path is called Krageetapen, or Crow stage. (Yes, it IS a crow sitting there!)
In Danish, a distant place is named “where the crows turn back”. Sometimes it felt like the explanation for the title of this stage..
You CAN go for an evening’s keep on this architect designed shelter. One night time will set you again DKK 300,- / EUR 40,- however has an indoor hearth!
This stage of the path is serene, solitary and sandy. If the climate had been higher, it will’ve provided many probabilities for a dip or two.
The route alternates between coastal trails and roads alongside the numerous grainfields. As a peaceable, life-giving vein, the firth blends into the panorama.
In the 1200s, a pirate referred to as “The Red Ons” resided at Skrækkehøj. Here, surrounded by pure embankments, lay a pirate citadel, and lots of harmless folks have been held captive within the murky basements.
The third leg of the Gendarmstien path is called Krageetapen, or Crow stage. Not (solely) as a result of we traverse the again of the past of the peninsula Broagerland (in Danish, a distant place is named “where the crows turn back”) but in addition as a result of the trail goes by way of the realm referred to as Kragesand (crow sand).
We wake to the dripping sound of rain on the tent and put the kettle on for espresso, whereas we look forward to a brilliant spell. When that doesn’t occur, we pack collectively our stuff as greatest as doable and head out on the path, grateful for our raincoats.
This stage of the path is serene, solitary and sandy. If the climate had been higher, it will’ve provided many probabilities for a dip or two. The route alternates between coastal trails and roads alongside the numerous grainfields. As a peaceable, life-giving vein, the firth blends into the panorama. But within the outdated days, when the ships left the protected ports heading for the Baltic Sea and past, many risks awaited. In the 1200s, a pirate referred to as “The Red Ons” resided at Skrækkehøj. Here, surrounded by pure embankments, lay a pirate citadel, and lots of harmless folks have been held captive within the murky basements.
Those tales add color to an in any other case gray and moist day with some brilliant spells. It’s great to soak up the solitary fantastic thing about the panorama whereas we stroll, and any rain gloominess is chased away with singing and speaking about necessary in addition to unimportant stuff.
What a good way to reaffirm friendships!
We hiked a bit additional than the outlined leg of 19 kilometres, with the intention to arrange camp at one other (free!) primitive campsite and handle to arrange tent throughout a brilliant spell. To sit below the canvas and put together the dinner over a small fuel burner, whereas the rain is gently tapping was extraordinarily fulfilling and really cosy!
Everything simply tastes higher after a 24 kilometre hike!
Stage 4: Strandetapen / Beach stage
After a morning dip and shut contact with as we speak’s theme, we’re prepared for stage 4 of Gendarmstien: Strandetapen, or Beach stage. This leg of the journey gives ample probability for bathing. If solely the climate had been nicer..
We stroll previous the historic Dybbøl Banke, the place the Danes took a beating by the German forces again in 1864 and ended up shedding Sønderjylland – the southern a part of Denmark – for 56 years. The outdated windmill Dybbøl Mølle stands sentinel over the panorama, that also bears its mark from the historic battle, and an attention-grabbing museum 1,5 km. from Gendarmstien tells the story in regards to the sophisticated and catastrophic battle.
We attain the gorgeous metropolis of Sønderborg and savour an excellent cup of espresso earlier than strolling the harbour promenade in direction of the imposing, medieval citadel Sønderborg Slot. The metropolis is alive with folks and it’s a vibrant distinction to the solitary mountaineering we’ve been doing the final couple of days.
The path follows the harbour and seashores earlier than, in and after Sønderborg. Then we enter the inexperienced cathedrals which can be the Danish beech forests. The woodlands have been below stress within the Middle Ages and ultimately, wooden grew to become a scarcity. To remedy the issue, the Duke declared in the long run of the 1600s, that farmers couldn’t marry till that they had planted timber within the Duke’s forests. Each farmer needed to plant 10 oak timber or 15 beeches and take care of them for 3 years, earlier than he may current his bride to the priest. This scheme continued for greater than 100 years, and to this present day there are nonetheless some locations referred to as “Groom’s avenues” and on Gendarmstien, you stroll previous “Groom’s oaks” alongside the roads.
The 19,2 kilometre Beach stage ends in Høruphav, after a beautiful however moist hike with wonderful views. While a bathe halted our hike for some time, we ready for the final stage of the path and accomplished 2 levels in 1 day.
Stage 5: Mølleetapen / Mill stage
The remaining leg of Gendarmstien is named Mølleetapen, or Mill stage. Throughout the ages, there have been 75 mills on the island of Als, of which 10 have been watermills. Some of the mills have been destroyed by explosive fires, however a lot of the mills have succumbed to trendy instances and as we speak there’s just one watermill and 4 windmills left on Als.
This final stage is just 10 kilometres, and so we determined to hike it in at some point in succession of the Beach stage. The truth {that a} good good friend had joined us in Sønderborg and we may relieve ourselves of our heavy backpacks in her automobile, made us (suppose we have been) mild and quick. As we have been strolling, we fist talked in regards to the necessary issues in our lives, then the unimportant issues and ended up simply silent and content material in one another’s firm, earlier than bursting right into a communal “Bohemian Rhapsody”, grateful for the shortage of viewers.
After Høruphav we trekked alongside an enthralling seashore with cottages proper on the seashore and noticed many geese and birds on this stage of the path. The final kilometres went throughout streams and thru fields earlier than we reached the ultimate vacation spot, simply exterior of the little city of Skovby.
Hiking is a good way to get in contact with your self, and a good higher approach to get near your folks. Those recollections we created throughout these days of each great and moist mountaineering, will stick with me endlessly.