The Gendarme Path - 84 km LQT hike
Welcome to Denmark's first European Leading Quality Trail (LQT). The Gendarme Path offers 84 km of certified quality hiking through some of the most beautiful nature in Denmark
South Jutland's location as a border region, makes it special - especially in a historical light. After the reunion in 1920 the border and the shipping routes were controlled by the border gendarme. Patrolling was done by foot along the coast, and each gendarme had a particular area under his jurisdiction.
The path has be recreated and begins or ends in Padborg at the border to Germany, from here you can follow the inlet Flensborg Fjord to Broagerland, continue along Vemmingbund and Dybbøl Banke to Sønderborg. After crossing the sound Als Sund via the bridge Kong Christian X´s Bro the hike continues on the island Als, by the harbour and beach promenade in Sønderborg, past the forest Sønderskoven and the city Høruphav to the village Skovby on Southern Als.
You will be following the coast most of the way and will be walking through a very diverse landscape with forests, bogs and meadows in the historical landscape.
There are no guidelines for where to begin your holiday hike. Whether you start in Padborg or Skovby is fully up to you and if you like a fixed base to hike from that´s also possible - it just need some planning of transportation.
The Gendarme Path is a hiking route and there is places where you cannot/is permitted to cycle, that is why there is alternative routes for cycling. Visit the website of the Gendarme Path www.gendarmsti.dk and see the biking routes on the interactive mapPhoto:Matt Marsh
The signs signaling the path is a blue gendarme. If you have no issue with occasionally pulling your bike, parts of the walking path can also be experienced by bike. Alternatively there is also a bike track.
Read more on the different sections of the path and plan your hike on the website www.gendarmsti.dk (in Danish/German only). Find accommodation, where to fill your water bottle along the route and much more.
You can also inquire at the tourist office, where you can receive a map over the Gendarme Path.
Is 84 kilometres to short? Continue on the hiking route Alsstien from Drejet on South Als and extent you tour to approx. 151 kilometres.
If you are in need of a planned tour with services like transportation of luggage, visit the website of BookSonderjylland.dk for more information.
Nature by the Gendarme Path showing off in owerwhelmingly beauty, with blooming poppies, impressive cloudes and sailing boats on the bay Sønderborg Bugt.Photo:Kim Toft Jørgensen