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The Hærvejen Race: Guide to Routes, Prices and Experiences

Guide to the Hærvejen Race on the Army Road. See the 11 cycling routes from 40 to 300 kilometres, prices, stops and our own experiences from the ride.

Camino King · · updated 7 December 2022 · 4 min read
The Hærvejen Race: Guide to Routes, Prices and Experiences

The Hærvejen Race offers no fewer than 11 different cycling routes. We took part for the first time in the summer of 2022, and it certainly will not be the last time. Are you thinking about joining yourself? Then get inspired here and find out much more about what you can expect on the ride.

The Hærvejen Race, in short

We were missing quite a bit of information ourselves when we took part in the Hærvejen Race for the first time. That is why we have put together this little guide, so you know what awaits you. One of us was mad enough to ride a road bike on the 100 kilometre gravel route. We all made it, and the wheel only fell off once, but we could have been much better prepared.

Stops and refreshments

We brought a little of our own supplies, and we recommend that you carry a water bottle at the very least. Since there are different routes, there are also different demands on how best to get through the race. On the gravel route there were two stops across the 100 kilometres. The first came after about 45 kilometres, and the last after around 80 kilometres.

Really tasty food was served at the first stop, where we were already good and hungry. There were lovely meatballs with potato salad on the side. On top of that there was plenty of drink in the form of water, energy drink and squash.

Around 700 volunteers look after you on a day when all you have to do is let your legs do the talking. It is a fantastic event.

What does it cost to take part in the Hærvejen Race?

The prices vary widely depending on which route you choose to ride. We paid 395 kroner per ticket, but the price varies both by route and by how early you book your ticket.

Which bike should you have?

You decide for yourself which bike you use. As mentioned, there are 11 different routes, and there are routes made for every type of bike. We did bring a road bike on the gravel route, which we would not recommend to anyone, even though our guide had given it the green light.

Routes are offered for:

Road bike routes

SectionLength
Flensburg to Viborg300 km
Vejen to Viborg160 km
Aalborg to Viborg50 km
Nr. Snede to Viborg75 km
Funder to Viborg50 km

Mountain bike routes

SectionLength
Jelling to Viborg165 km
Bryrup to Viborg110 km
Ulbjerg to Viborg85 km
Engesvang to Viborg60 km
Frederiks to Viborg40 km

Gravel route

SectionLength
Rebild to Viborg100 km

Where does the Hærvejen Race start and end?

There are 11 different starting points, but all the routes in the Hærvejen Race finish in Viborg. The longest route is 300 kilometres, and the shortest route you can ride is 40 kilometres.

What is the Army Road?

The Army Road, or Hærvejen, is an old Danish route that runs down through Jutland. Today it is one of Denmark’s most popular and longest walking routes, and we also call it the Danish Camino.

Many Danish walking routes spring from the inspiration of the Camino, and we write articles from time to time about routes from the pilgrim network Camino de Santiago. We plan to walk the Hærvejen ourselves as preparation for the Camino del Norte. The Hærvejen Race ends up on the Army Road itself several times, but the race has its own routes.

How do you find your way on the Hærvejen Race?

The routes are signposted a little, but you cannot be sure that the whole route is signposted optimally. We rode the wrong way a couple of times, but soon found the track again. Partly because there were plenty of other riders to follow, and partly because the organisers send out a GPS route shortly before the race starts.

Are you ready for your next adventure?

When we are out on an outdoor trip, it is usually on foot, but we love many kinds of sport, and cycling is no exception. Whether you are heading out to walk, cycle or try something completely new, we hope to see you at the Hærvejen Race. Thank you for reading.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the Hærvejen Race start and end?
There are 11 different starting points, but all the routes finish in Viborg. The longest route is 300 kilometres, and the shortest is 40 kilometres.
What does it cost to take part in the Hærvejen Race?
The price depends on the route and how early you book your ticket. We paid 395 kroner per ticket, but it varies from route to route.
What bike should you use for the Hærvejen Race?
That is up to you. There are routes for road bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes. We rode a road bike on the gravel route, which we would not recommend to anyone.
How many stops are there along the way?
It depends on the route. On the 100 kilometre gravel route there were two stops, roughly after 45 and 80 kilometres, with food and drink.
What is the Army Road?
The Army Road, or Hærvejen, is an old Danish route that runs down through Jutland. Today it is one of Denmark's most popular and longest walking routes, and many people call it the Danish Camino.
How do you find your way on the Hærvejen Race?
The routes are signposted a little, but not always optimally. The organisers send out a GPS route shortly before the race, and there are usually plenty of other riders to follow.
CK

Camino King

The walker who never stopped

Michael walked his first Camino in 2016 and has kept going ever since. He writes about the routes, the gear and everything that makes a long walking day good. If it is here, it has been walked, worn or weighed.

Published 17 November 2022 · Updated 7 December 2022 The story behind Camino King

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