Viking trails to vineyard tours: 10 of the best cycle routes in Denmark

Denmark is a haven for cyclists of all abilities, with 11,000km of marked cycle routes to ride. From adventurous cycling on multi-day trips that take in the country’s most varied scenery, to day trips and wine tours, these are the country’s best bike routes for everyone, from hobbyists to expert-level athletes.

To make it extra easy, accommodation options line the routes, including simple campsites and shelters, run by the Danish Nature Agency and offered for free or almost free, as well as B&Bs and hotels especially set up for cyclists, with bike rooms, e-bike charging stations and rooms made available for fixing your bike as you go. Aktiv Danmark has a list of bike-friendly accommodation and there is also a group of Danish Bike Hotels that have bike facilities. Bike rental is available in major cities and towns all over the country.

The Harbour Circle
Start in Denmark’s capital with this 13km cycling route around the main harbour. It’s easy to fit into a short break, and takes in Copenhagen’s harbour swimming spots, waterside wine bars such as Rosforth & Rosforth, major attractions such as the colourful Nyhavn waterfront, and off-the-beaten-track treasures such as Cafe Slusen, where you can eat sardines from the tin and sip beer with a calm view of the entire harbour.

Bornholm by bike
The sunny island of Bornholm has 230km of signposted cycle routes. Follow the dark green signs down quiet lanes to harbours awash with ice-cream shops, and past smokehouses where you can snack on just-smoked fish. Weave in and out of dappled patches of sunshine under the trees, watch out for hares and pheasants in the fields, and enjoy the quieter pace of life.

The Baltic Sea Cycle Route
Denmark’s longest cycle route – all 820km of it – encompasses islands and ferries, sheltered bays and seafaring ports as it traces the Baltic Sea coast. It breaks down into 14 stages, the pick of which are sections 10 and 11, which hug the coast. You’ll enjoy views of the islands of southern Funen and – if you’re lucky – the sight of porpoises.

The Rosnæs peninsula wineries
Pop your bike on a train and travel roughly two and a half hours west of Copenhagen to find a winery route made for cyclists. On the Rosnæs peninsula, among the driest and sunniest spots in the country, vines grow, grapes are pressed and wine tours by bike are the thing to do. Starting at Stub Vingård, a 16km trail runs to Rosnæs Vingård through a green landscape carved by the last ice age, taking in the Barfod and Dyrehøj wineries along the way.

The Ancient Road
This destination is more than a cycle route: it’s a path through Denmark’s history. Also called Hærvejen, it’s one of the most atmospheric trails in the country, taking in heathlands and rivers, along with key Danish historical sites. Discover the Viking Jelling stone and the 3,000-year-old burial site of the Egtved Girl. There are dolmen and further burial mounds on a route that has been used for centuries.

The West Coast Route
Running from Skagen all the way down the west coast to Rudbøl, this route offers some of the best views of Denmark’s contrasting scenery. Mostly paved and always signposted, the route skirts the gloriously wild dune landscape of Thy National Park, golden-sand beaches and the bird-filled marshes of the Wadden Sea National Park on its 560km journey.

The Limfjord Route
Another long route – this time 610km – the journey around the Limfjord in North Jutland is broken into stages and winds around the fjord from Aalborg, via ferries and bridges. There are plenty of restaurants along the way, giving you the chance to enjoy the region’s local oysters.

Related: Eco island hopping, world-class food and Vikings: Denmark’s 2024 cultural highlights

Berlin-Copenhagen
Two lively cities with a sea between them and a shared love of cycling unite via this 630km route. The tour skirts the white cliffs of Møn and the flower-filled meadows of Falster on the way to the ferry to Germany.

The Fjord Path
Half an hour west of Copenhagen, the journey around the Isefjord and Roskilde fjord begins. It’s rich with Viking history, and nature, running through forests and fields as well as on tarmacked roads. Look out for Thomas Dambo’s trolls on the way – there is a hidden one in a quarry nearby – and expect to spend a week or more exploring the full 275km route (or take it in sections). Bike hire is available in Roskilde.

The Border Route
Cycle from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea while crisscrossing Denmark’s border with Germany and uncover a world of history along the way. The old marsh town of Højer in Denmark marks the start of the 130km route, with the finish line in Flensburg, Germany. It’s a wonderfully flat journey, with orchards and meadows alongside it. The land on both sides of the border has changed nationalities multiple times in the last few hundred years.

Find out more about cycling adventures in Denmark at VisitDenmark