A week of cycling in Denmark at Landal Søhøjlandet. Not the first proposal that usually comes up. With three cyclists, all with different wishes, we set off. One wanted to cycle as much as possible, the other train for gran fondo's and the last (cycling) holiday. Everyone got what they wanted.
Beforehand, there were some doubts. What is the weather like? Will the course be challenging? What are the opportunities for variety? What is the environment like?All these doubts were very unjustified. Because, spoiler alert, it was a fantastic week of cycling and there is also plenty to do for the family. Almost the ideal holiday week.On the way back, the question arose. If you're going to buy a holiday cottage, do you choose this area or the Vosges? After all, it's about the same distance to drive. It became an ex aequo. 1 to 1. Which is a huge gain over the outward journey.
Rolling hills
We are staying in Landal Søhøjlandet in the small town of Gjern. A real family park with various types of cottages. A large indoor pool, MTB course, golf course, play equipment and a restaurant. They also have a bike wash and repair stand. Ideal for us. From here we will explore central Jutland.
That exploring begins on the first day with a visit to Denmark's highest point. This is at 171m above sea level. That sounds like little. In the Netherlands, there are even higher hills. But in a 120km ride, it is hardly a metre flat. We end up well above 1000hm's.
Fun story. The Danes thought until deep into the 19th century that another spot was Denmark's highest point. A nice landmark was also placed there, a hotel/restaurant and a playground. However, new measurements revealed that this is only the country's 6th peak. It is still much cosier there than at the real peak.
The term rolling hills was invented for this environment. Constantly it goes up or down. If you want to get really strong, this is ideal training ground. You can train intervals on the hills or steadily buffalo through on power. Every few kilometres, you can test your cycling buddies or pop over someone from behind at speed. Have fun all day long while riding each other's asses off. The strongest will come out on their own.
Infrastructure
The cycling infrastructure is top notch. There are plenty of small (farm) roads. Along the major roads there are good cycle paths. The cycle paths are not suitable for large pelotons, but alone or in a small group is top notch.
On the roads, cars take good care of you. They only overtake when they can and then they drive well around you. Of course, you will always find someone who does not, but we are used to that in the Netherlands.
However, you do need to pay attention to intersections yourself. Not so much for danger, but switch back in time. After or at the junction it sometimes runs dirty. If you want to avoid driving away like Roy van den Berg on the track, you have to shift back.
Sightseeing Aarhus
Besides visiting Denmark's highest points, Aarhus is a big draw. Aarhus is also much more fun than a monument on a summit. By bike, you can make a nice tour towards Aarhus from the Landal park. Aarhus is, after Copenhagen, Denmark's largest city.
We leave the city's most famous spot, Den Gamly By, and look further into the city. Most of the old harbour has been transformed into a place with lots of modern architecture and art. But the raw edge of the old harbour is also still findable, right next to the city centre.
Just south of the city you will find the beach. With a beautiful cycle path connecting the city, via the beach, to the Moesgaard museum. At the beach you will find the "infinite bridge". A nice round jetty in the sea.
Aarhus also lends itself perfectly to a visit by car, by the way. The city is fairly compact and thus easy to explore without a bike. From various museums to shopping. All three we say: Here we will come back again with our partner.
South of Gjern
If you are in Denmark, you cannot avoid Legoland around. Billund is also within cycling distance. Needless to say, this is also perfectly doable by car. We ourselves cycle a long loop, via Vejle. With Cycling Destination, we were in this area before. surroundings, in Vejle. . After a nice sandwich at Denmark's most famous bakery chain, Lagkagehuset, we drive towards Billund. You'll find this chain in many towns, making it always a good anchor for breaks in your drives.
Before Billund
Before arriving in Billund, we ride through a beautiful gravel area. Because there are fun things to do here on gravel bikes too. A week of gravel might be a bit too much. But the variety with the road is wonderful.
Billund itself is not very exciting. But even on the outside, the Lego House and Legoland are fun to look at. After this, we drive back to our Landal cottage via the hills.
Mols Bjerge National Park
Just above Aarhus are a number of peninsulas. On them lies the national park Mols Bjerge. In this park it is also quite possible to ride beautiful gravel routes. But we take the road bike. It's just too far to cycle from our cottage. So we go there by car.
Arriving, we get the bikes out and start exploring the national park. This park does not disappoint. Whereas in the first few days we encountered a lot of forest, here we see very swaying corn and grain fields. This, combined with an, overlookable, undulating landscape, conjures up for us the image we had expected of Denmark beforehand. In the background, you can continuously see the undulating sea. And, of course, there is a lighthouse. Those always remain an attraction.
All day, we have beautiful views. But it is buffeting in the wind. We visit the lighthouse that marks Aarhus Bay. We also pass the safari park which is here. So here again, there is something for the family to do. It is also the day we meet most of the other cyclists. Of course, it helps that we are here on a Saturday.
The Park - Landal Søhøjlandet
The park Landal Søhøjlandet where we are staying light just outside Gjern. It is about 800 kilometres from Utrecht, so about a day's drive by car. You can also go by train (something that Maarten and Robbert once did), which is quite an undertaking, but within a day you can be in Arhus and that is within cycling distance.
The park is beautifully maintained, the cottages have something really cute. Furthermore, it is fully equipped. You have a swimming pool, launderette, restaurant, squash court, climbing wall, MTB routes around the corner and if you are with children, there is also an indoor play paradise. To be avoided if you don't like children...In short, you won't be bored!
The restaurant at least offers an option not to have to cook and there is a shop for some essentials. Groceries are ultimately better done in Gjern.
But wait there is more
If you are going to explore the area from Landal Søhøjlandet, here are some more tips:
- North of Gjern you will also find the towns of Viborg and Randers. Especially Viborg is recommended to visit. But there was so much to do, we didn't even have time for it.
- Visiting Den Gamle By in Aarhus is also highly recommended. But because of the narrow streets and cobblestones, we skipped it by bike.
- Finally, a day visit to Legoland is always fun.
Central Jutland surprised us in its diversity, with its landscape, its accessibility, the weather (because that too was good). All three of us are going to come back here again.
Cycling routes from Landal Søhøjlandet
Check out the routes from our trip below, specially created by Thomas Bogaard!
