Walking along the Gudenå

The Gudenå Trail is a long-distance walking route along the Gudenå from its source at Tinnet Krat to its mouth at Randers Fjord. The trail is 175 kilometres long, and including both loops around the Silkeborg Lakes, the route totals 200 kilometres. Across the route, existing paths and new links are connected, allowing you to follow the river through forests, lake landscapes, river valleys and cultural-historical environments.

Discover the Gudenåstien in the Aarhus Region

In the Aarhus Region, the Gudenåstien follows some of the most scenic stretches along the river. Here, the route passes through the Lake District Søhøjlandet near Silkeborg and continues towards Favrskov and Randers, where the landscape changes character along the way. The trail includes both well-known walking routes and new sections, so you can choose shorter walks or combine several stretches into a longer walking experience.

The Himmelbjergruten and Trækstien are part of the experience

Two of the best-known routes along the Gudenå are part of the Gudenåstien. These are the Himmelbjergruten between Ry and Silkeborg and the Trækstien between Silkeborg and Randers. This provides access to both the views of the Søhøjlandet and the historic landscapes further north, where the river was once characterised by barge traffic.

Stages make it easy to plan your trip

The Gudenåstien is divided into stages, so you can easily plan your trip according to time, fitness level and ambitions. On the stretches in and around the Aarhus region, you will find stages between Klostermølle, Gl. Rye, Ry, Silkeborg, Svostrup, Kongensbro, Ans, Bjerringbro, Ulstrup, Langå and Randers, amongst others. The stage overview is regularly updated, and the route can be followed via the Gudenå map.

A route under continuous development

“Gudenåstien – from source to fjord” was inaugurated on 28 March 2026. The route will be constantly maintained, with a focus on improving sections, creating consistent signage, promoting points of interest and establishing support facilities along the way. This makes the Gudenåstien relevant both for those who wish to walk a single stage and for those who wish to follow the river through several landscapes during the same holiday.

Practical information

Before setting off, it is a good idea to plan which stages suit your time, pace and the season. We also recommend that you familiarise yourself with access conditions, rest stops along the way and the nearest options for provisions, accommodation and transport before you start.