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Gendarmstien Express Trek

Name: Gendarmstien Express Trek
Brand: Bookatrekking
Price: 595.00 EUR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.4 (1611 reviews)

Duration: 5 days

Trails: T2 trails

Distance: 15 - 20 km per day

Ascent per day: 0 - 250 m ascent per day

Overview
Itinerary
What's Included
FAQ

> Hike the full Gendarmstien Express in 5 days
> Sleep in comfortable local hotels along the route
> Accommodation before and after is included

Smell the salt in the air as you follow a trail that once kept borders and secrets. On the Gendarmstien, every bend offers views across the Baltic and stories of smugglers and border guards. This five-day express version gives you the whole trail without the fuss. It’s Denmark’s most beautiful coastal trek, and with your accommodation sorted from start to finish including a comfy bed before and after you just need to walk, breathe, and enjoy the ride.

This trek is designed for intermediate hikers who want the full experience in a shorter time frame. You’ll walk from Padborg to Skovby along the Danish-German border, covering about 20 kilometers a day. Expect ever-changing coastal views, peaceful forests, and charming villages. The pace is solid but doable. This is not a race this is your adventure.

Itinerary

Day

Arrival Day

You arrive in the Danish-German border region and settle into your hotel in Padborg or nearby Bov, a quiet town surrounded by fields and low woodland. Take time to stretch your legs with a short walk through the village, visit a local supermarket or bakery, or follow a waymarked path to glimpse the border landscape and nearby lakes. In the evening you prepare your backpack, enjoy a relaxed dinner, and fall asleep knowing the coastal trail awaits you in the morning.

Day

Padborg/Bov - Gråsten

Duration: 06:30 h

Distance: 24.9 km

Ascent: 140 m

Descent: 200 m

The route begins in the quiet, rural farmland along the Danish-German border and soon reaches the shores of the Flensburg Fjord. Long sections of the route follow paths close to the water, mixed with short climbs through woodlands and open fields. With around 140 meters of ascent and 200 meters of descent, it is a full day of walking, with wide sea views and constant changes between villages, forests, and beaches.

From the outskirts of Padborg, the path heads north through fields and small lanes towards Bov and Smedeby. There is a viewpoint by the village church at about 40 meters. After crossing the main road, the path turns east and descends gently to Kollund Skov at roughly 20 meters. There, forest paths run above the rocky shore. Several short ascents and descents lead past coves and small beaches, always close to the fjord.

Beyond Rønshoved, the route continues on quieter paths along the coast, then curves inland through farmland towards Egernsund. A final stretch on lakeside and urban paths leads to the center of Gråsten, at around 5 meters, close to the castle gardens and accommodations. Shops and cafés there offer everything needed for a comfortable evening.

Day

Gråsten - Sønderborg

Duration: 04:55 h

Distance: 19 km

Ascent: 100 m

Descent: 100 m

This section continues beside sheltered water for most of the day, linking small harbour communities with sandy bays and gentle headlands. The gradients remain easy, with about 100 m of climbing and descent spread over low hills. Views open across Nybøl Nor and the wide Vemmingbund bay, while historic church towers and wartime fortifications appear on nearby ridges.

Leaving Gråsten, the trail follows pavements and paths to the harbour and crosses the movable bridge at Egernsund just above sea level. It then climbs gradually through streets to Broager, reaching around 35 m near the hilltop church, a fine viewpoint over Flensburg Fjord. From here it descends to the shore of Vemmingbund, where a long beach section offers relaxed walking close to the waves.

Rounding the headland, the route continues on coastal paths and quiet lanes, passing small coves and meadows with views towards the Dybbøl heights, which rise to about 60 m on the opposite side of the water. Approaching Sønderborg, the path becomes more urban, following the seafront promenade to the harbour area and your accommodation, conveniently located near shops, restaurants and public transport.

Day

Sønderborg - Skovby

Duration: 05:05 h

Distance: 19.3 km

Ascent: 90 m

Descent: 80 m

The final walking day crosses the southern coastline of Als, mixing beach sections, woodland tracks and village streets. The terrain is mostly gentle, with roughly 90 m of ascent and 80 m of descent, but the distance and occasional soft sand make it a satisfying stage. Wide views over Hørup Hav and towards the Kegnæs peninsula accompany much of the way.

From central Sønderborg the route follows the seaside promenade west, soon leaving the town to enter Sønderskoven, a low coastal forest where paths undulate between 5 and 20 m. It then continues along the shore of Hørup Hav, alternating between gravel paths, meadows and small stretches of beach. Passing jetties and bathing spots, the trail visits several hamlets scattered around the bay.

After Lambjerg Indtægt the path turns slightly inland on farm tracks and quiet roads, crossing low ridges of around 25 m before descending again towards the south coast. A final sequence of field paths and village streets leads into Skovby at about 10 m, where accommodation awaits near the main square, providing a relaxed base to celebrate the end of the journey.

Day

Departure Day

After breakfast in Skovby, there is time for a final stroll through the village streets or down to the nearby south coast, where you can look back along the shoreline you have followed. Then you catch the bus or arranged transfer towards Sønderborg, Padborg or your next destination. As fields, forests and water slip by the window, memories of quiet coves, fjord views and border stories stay with you long after the walk itself has ended.

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Included

Accommodation

We will arrange your accommodation on the Gendarmstien Trek in hotels, inns, and guesthouses. Accommodation will be private in single, double or twin rooms and with en-suite bathroom where possible.
Full travel guide

You’ll receive access to our trekking app, which serves as your complete digital travel guide for the Gendarmstien Trek. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your trek: route descriptions, hiking maps, navigation support, payment information, and all the key details specific to your journey.
Baggage Transfer

This trek includes the transfer of your luggage throughout the entire Gendarmstien Trek trek. Your bags will be picked up every morning from the hotel lobby and will be driven to your next next accommodation. Baggage transfers allow you to travel lighter during the day and enjoy the walk in a more relaxed manner.
Navigation support

Our trekking app also includes built-in navigation support. With GPS-based maps and offline access, you can follow the trail confidently and stay on route even without mobile signal.
Breakfast (when possible)

We will arrange breakfast for you whenever possible. Some accommodations on the Gendarmstien Trek, however, do not allow us to pre-book it. In those cases, you can usually request breakfast for the next morning directly at the accommodation (at your own expense), or simply enjoy one of the cafés in the area.

Excluded

Traveling to and from

You have to make your own way to the starting point. The total amount does not include personal transport. This also applies to any transport from the end point of your trail.
Transfers

If you require any form of public or local transport during the trek, it is not included in the package unless stated otherwise. This applies to taxis, buses, cable cars, gondolas, and similar services.
Travel Insurance

Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.
Lunch and Dinner

Breakfast is, if possible, included in the price of the trek. You can get lunch and dinner at the shops, hotels, and restaurants along the way.

FAQ

How to Get To the Starting Point of the Gendarmstien Express Trek
How to Get From the Endpoint Back
What if the dates I want are not available?
If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?
How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking
Availability
Cancellation policy

Packing List for the Gendarmstien Trek

Information
Essentials
Extras

Just for You

Gendarmstien Express Trek

Itinerary

Arrival Day

Padborg/Bov - Gråsten

Gråsten - Sønderborg

Sønderborg - Skovby

Departure Day

Included

Accommodation

Full travel guide

Baggage Transfer

Navigation support

Breakfast (when possible)

Excluded

Traveling to and from

Transfers

Travel Insurance

Lunch and Dinner

FAQ

How to Get To the Starting Point of the Gendarmstien Express Trek

How to Get From the Endpoint Back

What if the dates I want are not available?

If I book now, can I immediately arrange the rest of my trip?

How do I know if this trek is right for me?

How to Book

Booking

Availability

Cancellation policy

Packing List for the Gendarmstien Trek

Information

Essentials

Extras

Just for You

Intermediate