Bike packing Denmark
Bike packing is a fantastic way to discover a new place. You travel on secondary roads and get to see the people, the villages, and the scenery more slowly than by car, but you can still cover a long distance in a day. This time, we decided to embark on an adventure in one of the world's most cycling-friendly destinations: Denmark.
Why Bike packing in Denmark
Denmark is an exceptional country for bike packing. It boasts excellent cycling infrastructure, with mostly flat terrain (though it can be quite windy) and a thriving cycling culture.
The nation's scenic beauty, abundant car-free roads, and charming villages make it accessible to cyclists of all levels. Moreover, Denmark's compact size enables you to cover considerable distances in a day, offering diverse riding experiences, from rolling farmlands to coastal routes.
The country is also notably safe, with well-developed hotel and food infrastructure available almost everywhere, and it's rich in cultural attractions.
The best time for Bike packing in Denmark
We decided to go in the summer, first week of August, because the weather was expected to be warm, sunny, and the days are longer. However, it's also a busy time because many people take holidays.
Another option we considered is late spring (May to June), which offers pleasant weather with mild temperatures, longer daylight hours, and blooming landscapes. It's also a bit less crowded, providing quieter roads and accommodations.
Our Bike packing Route:
We had one week and wanted to discover as much as possible. Even though Denmark is a small country, a week is definitely not enough, so we had to make choices and shortlist the places we wanted to visit and the routes we wanted to take.
We settled for the north and then left a few days to explore Copenhagen, and cycling around the capital.
We took the train from Copenhagen to Aalborg, where we began our bikepacking adventure. We cycled up to Skagen, then down along the west coastline through Thy National Park and back to Holstebro.
Day 0: Arrival to Copenhagen
We arrived early in the morning with our bikes packed in their suitcases, ready for the logistical challenge of reaching Aalborg. We opted to book a car instead of taking the train to simplify our journey, although the train was another viable option.
We drove to Copenhagen, to the hotel where we would stay after the bikepacking trip, we unpacked the bikes and left the suitcases. However, once in Denmark, you simply must make a beeline for a bakery, and that's precisely what we did, even if it meant having to rush later.
With the bikes now ready and the bakery stop done, we drove to Aalborg Airport, returned the car, and cycled back to the city for dinner. I won't delve into details about the hotel since it wasn't a place I'd revisit.
Nevertheless, I can share that the restaurant where we had dinner was exceptionally delicious, serving local cuisine and a perfect pre-ride meal.
Day 1: Aalborg to Skagen
The morning started with a fabulous surprise in the form of what was probably the best bakery we had during our trip in Denmark. Do not miss it!
Time to cycle to the top of Denmark: Skagen. As expected, most of the route had cycle lanes or cycle paths. Denmark is definitely a bike-friendly country. The first half of the route was inland, taking us through farms and fields until we reached the harbor town of Frederikshavn. After that, we followed the coastline all the way to Skagen.
The scenery was so beautiful that the 100 kilometers passed extremely quickly, especially the last kilometers leading to Skagen via a cycle lane in the middle of nowhere. Simply beautiful.
Stay: Hotel Marie
Food: Skagen Bageri & Café, Juicy & Pizza
Day 2: Skagen to Blokhus
After a musical night at Hotel Marie (we booked the room on top of the pub, and there was music until late), we left towards Blokhus on the west coast of Denmark.
A long day was ahead of us with 120 kilometers, and this time the wind wasn't in our favor, but the scenery of Denmark kept us distracted. We visited Rubjerg Knude, an incredible lighthouse in the middle of the sand that had to be transported inland a few years back to save it from the erosion of the sea.
In terms of weather, we had it all, apparently a typical summer day in Denmark: a chilly morning, sun and warmth, then wind and heavy stormy rain, and we finished the day with a beautiful sunset.
Stay: Strandhotellet Blokhus
Eat: Strandhotellet Blokhus, Blokhus Bageri og cafe
Day 3: Blokhus to Klitmøller (Cold Hawaii)
Probably my favorite day of the trip!
We finally had a good night's sleep at Strandhotellet, which left us full of energy to tackle another 100 kilometers. As with every day, the mornings started off a bit chilly, but as soon as the sun made its appearance, it warmed up enough for us to comfortably ride in short sleeves.
We cycled along endless roads without encountering a single car for kilometers. We savored the best Fish and Chips we'd ever had at Thorupstrand Fiskehus and even crossed paths with some windmills (although I was expecting to see a lot more).
We also had the only puncture of the bikepacking trip to keep us distracted during the day.
But the best part of the trip awaited us at the end, in the lovely town of Klitmøller, or as the locals call it: "Cold Hawaii." This surf town exuded good vibes and quickly became our favorite place in Denmark.
Stay: Guesthouse Klitmøller
Eat: Good Food to go
Day 4: Klitmøller to Holstebro
The last ride before taking the train back to Copenhagen we really felt the tiredness and the legs asking for a break. The route above was the original plan and it was highly recommended but we decided to take a shortcut and reach Copenhagen a little early.
The ride was anyway beautiful and an incredible way to say bye to the north of Denmark. After this 4 days cycling around this amazing area you understand where the slogan “Road to nowhere” from the Danish cycling apparel brand Pas Normal Studios comes from.
From Holstebro we took the train to Copenhagen.
Day 5-6: Copenhagen
Copenhagen in the summer is a true delight. I had visited the city in the past but only during the winter. During the summer, Copenhagen truly comes alive – the streets are abuzz with activity, the café culture thrives, and almost every other street is filled with the irresistible aroma of freshly baked buns and pastries.
We spent a couple of days exploring the city, indulging in as many bakeries as possible, and dining at fantastic restaurants.
We were also fortunate enough to be invited to the Pas Normal Studios offices. What an incredible office and store in the north of Copenhagen! Thanks again to the PNS team for giving us a tour and offering recommendations for cycling routes.
Bakeries: BUKA, HUG, Lille Bakery, HART
Day 7: Cycling around Copenhagen
We couldn’t end our trip without a cycling route that didn’t include a castle. We were told that cycling around Copenhagen you’ll most likely come across a Castle. There are 400 Castles in Denmark. We went to Frederiksborg Castle, was built by King Christian IV in the early decades of the 17th century and is the largest Renaissance complex in the Nordic region.
Do we recommend Bike packing in Denmark?
Absolutely! We had a great time there, and it's a fantastic place to cycle. The whole country is bike-friendly, with hundreds of bike lanes. The country is safe, and you can find hotels, restaurants, and bakeries everywhere. In more remote areas, it might take a few kilometers to find something, but generally, it's well-served.
Why should you avoid going to Denmark for bikepacking?
There aren't many reasons. In our opinion, the weather could be one reason if you don't go during the warmer months. It can get rainy and windy, which can be annoying if you have to spend multiple days on the bike in bad weather. Lastly, if you enjoy climbing, avoid Denmark. It's the flattest place I've ever been!
In conclusion, visit Denmark and make sure you stay a couple of days in Copenhagen. And go in the summer!