![Forest from above](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.sanity.io%2Fimages%2F3vb1wf5h%2Fproduction%2F2d9affdab78b42068533e121daadc702f3b984d0-3840x2160.jpg%3Ffm%3Dwebp%26auto%3Dformat&w=3840&q=75)
On the stretch, you will pass through the beautiful hilly landscape south of Frederikshavn. First along small side roads through Bangsbo Ådal, then through the area Hestvang. Among other things, you can experience the viewpoint Pikkerbakken in Frederikshavn or Dronninglund Storskov and Sømosen.
Frederikshavn-Dronninglund
Pikkerbakken
Elevated high above the city, the unique viewing platform on Pikkerbakken extends out like the Skagen Spit, offering an exceptional panoramic view over the city, the harbor, and the Hirsholmene islands, with sights reaching to both Sæby and Skagen – on a clear day, you can see all the way to Læsø. At the platform, you can even see the King's Stone, where three times King Frederik has left his signature.
Pikkerbakken is part of a 3-kilometer-long coastal cliff formed by the Yoldia and Litorina seas during the ice age. The impressive cliff is, among other things, the result of the area experiencing Denmark's greatest land uplift, with Pikkerbakken itself majestically rising 71 meters above sea level.
But Pikkerbakken is more than just a beautiful natural area; here, you'll find traces of the English War, World War II, and the Cold War. During the English War in 1809, an observation post was established at the top of the hill. During World War II, the first German troops appeared just days after the occupation, and a total of 70 concrete structures were built in 1943. The positions in the area included an anti-aircraft battery for shooting at air targets, a coastal battery with the artillery ship Niels Juel's cannons, a radar installation, and the North Jutland commander's command bunker, which today is set up as a museum bunker. During the Cold War, the naval station in Frederikshavn played an important role in protecting the waters between Norway and Denmark, and today, the surveillance of the area from the Great Belt to Skagen is controlled from Pikkerbakken.
Pikkerbakken, 9900 Frederikshavn
Dronninglund Great Forest and Sømosen
You will experience nature beyond the ordinary in Dronninglund Great Forest. Spanning 961 hectares, the forest offers a diversity of experiences for both children and adults. Here you can explore the ever-changing landscapes of coniferous and deciduous forests and follow marked hiking trails through the impressive terrain. Discover the forest's history and ancient relics such as the Troll Stone, a remnant from the Ice Age, and the highest point in Vendsyssel, Knøsen, which rises 136 meters above sea level.
A special experience awaits at the Enchanted Hill, where the laws of nature seem to be suspended. Here you can see water running uphill instead of downhill. The phenomenon is a fun and astonishing experience for the whole family, especially if you visit by bicycle. If you coast downhill in neutral, you'll need to pedal to avoid stalling, while you can coast uphill without pedaling.
Sømosen, a raised bog with a fascinating history about the people of the past, also offers an exciting excursion. The bog is nestled among the high hills of the Jyske Ås in the southern part of Dronninglund Great Forest. Up until the last century, the slopes of the bog were home to over 40 families, all of whom were market people, performers, jesters, or musicians. They settled in primitive huts and earth shelters, where they stayed during the winter. In the summer, they traveled around the country performing.
If you are a hiking enthusiast, the forest offers three marked trails: the Beech Forest Route (yellow), the Coniferous Forest Route (blue), and the Sømose Route (red). Enjoy the beautiful nature along these paths, but note that they are not suitable for those with walking difficulties, wheelchair users, or other vehicles.
In Dronninglund Great Forest, you will also find the local mountain range, where you can climb all six peaks and admire the varied and hilly nature on the six-kilometer-long hiking trail.
Storskovvej 20, 9330 Dronninglund
How do you get to and from the stage using public transportation?
You can find your way to the stage using public transportation by using the Rejseplanen and the Hærvejs app. To get to the starting point of the stage, enter the destination 'Frederikshavn St.' in Rejseplanen. Once you arrive, you can use the Hærvejs app to find your way to the Hærvej.
Useful links
Rejseplanen: www.rejseplanen.dk
Get a stamp in your Hærvej Passport
On this stage, you can get a stamp in your Hærvej Passport at Frederikshavn Church.
Frederikshavn-Dronninglund