Tips and tricks for your next trip

Season
You can hike or bike along Hærvejen at any time of the year, but the most optimal period is from May 1st to October 1st. Using Hærvejen in other periods are certainly possible, but the weather is unpredictable and there are fewer accommodation options.

Terrain

The terrain on the hiking trails is varied, and you will pass through a diverse Danish landscape, including heath, forest, dune, and plantation areas. The route can be quite hilly at times, for example, Dollerup Bakker outside Viborg. However, most of the route is not very hilly.

The accessibility varies. The routes differs between asphalt, forest roads, field paths and gravel trails.

Clothing, footwear, and other equipment - hikers
The terrain of Hærvejen does not require hiking boots. However, the shoes should be wide enough and long enough to allow you to spread your toes, and there should be room for your feet to swell during the walk. The shoes should provide good support and be flexible in the forefoot and have shock absorption. They can be ankle-high, as this is optimal for wet terrain. Depending on the weather, you can switch between shoes, boots, and sandals.

Proper padding of the feet prevents blisters and chafing, therefore wearing a thin sock beneath a thicker one is a useful tip. There are specific hiking or running socks that can be used to advantage. If possible, socks should be either changed or washed daily.

The clothing should be suitable for the varying Danish summer weather. Underwear, trousers and blouses made of breathable materials, such as microfiber, can be advantageous as they dry quickly and weigh less compared to cotton. A cotton scarf might also good thing to bring as it helps regulate the temperature around your neck. Moreover, you should bring rainwear. A rain poncho covers both you and your backpack when it rains and provides shelter when it's windy. Alternatively, you can purchase a rain cover for your hiking backpack.

You might consider using a hiking backpack of 40-60 liters with a stiffened back and padded hip belt and chest straps for longer trips. Like other bag packs it must fit you precisely, as this increases your comfort when you carry belongings for many kilometers. Therefore, it is important that the backpack has the right length in relation to your back, so that the weight is evenly distributed between shoulders and hips. Use packing bags to organize the equipment in the backpack.

It is advisable to bring a lightweight sleeping bag weighing 0.5–1 kg and a sleeping pad if you plan to stay outdoors overnight during your trip. Additionally, a sleeping pad is good to have if you take a rest along the way.

It is advisable to bring one or two walking poles, as they provide good support during the hike. With a large backpack, your balance is compromised and the poles offer additional support. Moreover, they relieve stress on the knees and back.

A microfiber travel towel is advantageous to bring along as it is lightweight, dries quickly, and takes up less space. Moreover, it is important to bring foot care products that both prevent and alleviate issues with blisters and muscle pains.

Clothing, shoes, and other equipment - cyclists
For cyclists, it's important to consider what kind of ride you are embarking on. It might be done in a relaxed pace or at an extremely vigorous level of exercise. Therefore, here are just a few common tips.

Clothing and footwear should keep you dry and comfortable during the varying Danish summer weather. Therefore, it can be beneficial to wear underwear, trousers, and a blouse made of a breathable material. Moreover, it dries faster. You should also bring rainwear.

As a cyclist, it can be advantageous to have bike bags mounted on the bike, thus avoiding having to carry the load along the way.

It is advisable to take a lightweight sleeping bag of 0.5–1 kg as well as a sleeping pad with you if you want to stay outdoors overnight during your trip. Additionally, a sleeping pad is good to have if you take a rest along the way.

Most cyclists know what it's like to get a flat tire. If you want to be prepared when misfortune strikes, you'll need a repair kit. The checklist includes glue, patches, valve rubber, and pliers to hold the tube until the glue dries. Experienced cyclists even carry a Swedish key and an Allen key in sizes that match the bike's screws for adjustments on the go.

Planning before the trip
Following the decision on a holiday destination and budget, comes planning the trip itself. Before the trip, you should consider how far you can and want to travel. It's a good idea to have planned some intermediate and final goals for a distance in terms of meal breaks at attractions, water stations, and restrooms, as well as accommodations at the end of the route. You can do this via the website using interactive maps and route descriptions or through the Hærvejen App.

Planning along the way
It would be advantageous to book accommodation one or two days in advance. We urge you to contact the accommodation provides directly.

If you are not participating in an organized tour, it's a good idea to carry two meals in your backpack, as there might be a distance between shopping facilities and places where you can eat. Some places might be closed if you arrive late. Since Hærvejen offers peace and quiet, you won't pass through many towns on the route, so you should stock up when you have the chance. Many accommodations offer meals and can also assist with shopping.

When packing light, there's no room for eight different sets of clothes in the backpack. Some accommodations offer laundry facilities, while in other places you'll have to do it yourself. We recommend that you bring some detergent and a line for drying clothes in your luggage.

A good tip for wet boots is to use crumpled newspaper, which draws the moisture out of the boots.

Provisions

The body needs to be well-fed before hiking or biking Hærvejen. Therefore, it is important to have a good breakfast before starting the journey. Products such as oatmeal, muesli, and cornflakes can be purchased in advance and brought along in your pack. Along with these, you can drink chocolate milk, which you can buy the evening before. It won't sour overnight like regular milk. It's also a good idea to bring some quality bread, preferably rye bread. It's satisfying and provides good nutrition, though it can be heavy on the stomach. It's also important to keep your blood sugar and spirits up during the trip, so having some cake or other manageable snacks in your backpack can be a good idea. Finally, water is extremely important! Always carry a water bottle with you. Hærvejen is filled with small streams. Among others, Tinnet Krat has one of Denmark's densest concentrations of springs, where you can refill your water bottle.

Always think one or two meals ahead. There might not always be a grocery store when you need one.

Physical and mental condition
If you go on a holiday along Hærvejen, you typically cover 20-60 kilometers per day depending on how far you plan to cycle or hike. Therefore, a good piece of advice is to start training well in advance - for instance, you could walk or cycle to work. This way, you get to test out your shoes and backpack and improve your physical condition. Training is important to maintain and increase your mobility as well as to prevent overuse injuries.

Mentally, being on a trip on Hærvejen can be demanding. Vacations on Hærvejen encourages a lifestyle where you only take the most necessary things with you. You can be challenged when you're not in your familiar surroundings, not having access to quick aids and uncertainty about accommodation and shopping opportunities. Adding this to a physically demanding experience might need som getting used to. As challenging it might be, hopefully the Hærvejen experience will be positive and full of simplicity, peacefulness and being close to nature, history and each other.