From Randers to the Kattegat along the fjord

The Randers Fjord Trail (Randers Fjord Stien) is a 32-kilometre-long walking route that follows Randers Fjord from the town of Randers to the area by the Kattegat. Follow the red arrows through a flat and varied landscape featuring water, open fields, meadows, woodland and small villages.

The Randers Fjord Trail is an extension of the Gudenå Trail, so you can now walk all the way from the headwaters at Krat, where the River Gudenå rises, via Randers and all the way to the Kattegat. In Randers, you can start your walk at Justesens Plæne or Tronholmen, for example, and at the opposite end at Sødring Church. Along the way, you can combine the main route with several marked circular walks.

Walk in the footsteps of the pilots

The Randers Fjord Trail is a further development of the former Pilot’s Path and, at the same time, tells part of the story of life by the fjord.

Before trains, bicycles and cars became part of everyday life, pilots had to walk back to the pilot station once they had guided the ships safely through the fjord. On the Randers Fjord Trail, you can follow their route between the entrance at Udbyhøj Nord and Randers Harbour.

Fjord landscape around Albæk, Støvringgård and Mellerup

Around Albæk, Støvringgård and Mellerup, the landscape alternates between open meadows, hedgerows, villages and views over Randers Fjord. Here you’ll find nature, cultural history and excellent opportunities to experience the area’s birdlife.

You can use the marked circular route around Albæk, Støvringgård and Mellerup as a detour from the Randers Fjord Trail. The local loop trails are marked with yellow arrows, whilst the main route follows the red arrows. Access to the route is available from Albæk, Støvringgård Abbey and Mellerup Ferry Terminal, amongst other places.

A detour through Øster Tørslev Kær and Hungstrup Forest

Between the villages of Tvede and Øster Tørslev, you can take a circular walk of around 7 km through Øster Tørslev Kær and Hungstrup Forest. Here, the dykes lead you out into the flat fjord landscape with meadows, reed beds and a rich variety of birdlife and wildlife.

The circular walk is marked with yellow arrows, and you can shorten the route as you go. The red arrows, which you’ll also come across on the walk, indicate the main route of the Randers Fjord Trail.

Circular walks at Udbyhøj Nord

At Udbyhøj Nord, you can choose from several signposted walking routes of varying lengths. This is where the fjord meets the Kattegat, and the walks take you through the flat coastal landscape, along the dykes and through Udbyhøj.

The green route is 3 km long and passes, amongst other places, the shelter area at the Fjord Centre. The blue route is 5 km long and continues on towards Vasehusene, whilst the yellow route, at 8 km, leads to Sødring Church and through Sødringholm Forest.

In the north-eastern part of the route, Sødring Church lies close to the Sødringholm manor house. Here, the walk continues through woodland, along dykes and across open stretches with views of the fjord landscape. Sødringholm has historical roots dating back to the Middle Ages.

Stop off at the shelter area, where you’ll find shelters, tables and benches, a composting toilet and the chance to fetch water at the Fjord Centre.

The walk past the Udbyhøj Cable Ferry

The walk heads south from Udbyhøj Marina along Udbyhøj Beach, past Denmark’s only cable ferry, the Udbyhøj Cable Ferry, along the dyke past Udbyhøj Campsite, to Randers Fjord’s Pump House and back to the marina via the canals and Udbyhøj village. The route is approx. 4.5 km and marked with black arrows.

Urban nature and harbour history at Tronholmen

Close to Randers town, you can take the 3.5 km circular walk around Tronholmen, Skovholmen and Strømmen. Here, the surroundings alternate between green spaces, the fjord and traces of Randers Harbour’s industrial history.

The route follows, amongst other things, a former railway line, passes Strømmen Station and takes you through areas that have, over time, been shaped by the harbour and industry. From Skovholmen, there are views across Randers Fjord and towards the hills at Romalt. The circular walk is marked with yellow arrows.

Practical information

The Randers Fjord Trail is 32 km long, plus marked circular walks.
The main route is marked with red arrows.
Several of the circular walks are marked with yellow arrows.
The route passes through a predominantly flat landscape.
You can start at Justesens Plæne or Tronholmen in Randers, or at Sødring Church, amongst other places.
At Udbyhøj Nord, there are circular walks of 3, 5 and 8 km.
The circular route at Øster Tørslev Kær and Hungstrup Skov is approximately 7 km.
The circular route at Tronholmen, Skovholmen and Strømmen is 3.5 km.
At the shelter site near the Fjord Centre in Udbyhøj, there are shelters, tables and benches, a composting toilet and access to water.