Trains can take over part of days 2, 4, 6 and 7: regional trains carry bikes free outside rush hours InterCity trains need a bike ticket train tickets are not included and are bought on the day

How demanding are your tours?

Our tours are divided into three levels of difficulty: Leisurely , Moderate , and Challenging , defined by the typical daily itinerary, though there can be variations in challenge during the trip. Leisurely tours are perfect for those looking for a relaxed journey amidst beautiful landscapes, without the need for long-distance cycling or navigating difficult terrains. Typically, these tours cover 30-50 km per day, with an elevation gain of up to 500m. This allows for numerous opportunities to enjoy the scenery, sample local cuisine, and visit quaint villages and towns along the route. Moderate bike tours cater to those who desire a combination of picturesque routes and a bit of a challenge. Covering 50-80 km per day with an elevation gain of up to 1000m, these tours take you through beautiful landscapes and charming villages, featuring both flat and hilly terrains. They provide plenty of chances for exploration and also offer a rewarding cycling experience. Challenging bike tours are designed for seasoned cyclists looking to challenge themselves. These tours cover 80-120 km daily with an elevation gain of up to 2000m and involve steep climbs and challenging routes. Suitable for those with a high level of fitness and stamina, they offer a sense of achievement and stunning views, making the effort worthwhile.

Why aren't accommodations specified?

We are dedicated to finding the ideal match for your cycling journey. We work closely with a range of accommodation providers, all of whom adhere to our quality criteria, though their availability might change, particularly during high-demand seasons. Moreover, we offer the flexibility to customize your trip according to your personal tastes and budget, guaranteeing that we find the accommodation that best suits your needs.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking your tour as soon as possible, particularly for sought-after tourist destinations where accommodation options are limited. Top choices tend to be reserved quickly, often getting fully booked for the summer season well before the arrival of spring.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

In Denmark, accommodating specific dietary requirements can vary based on their intricacy. While vegetarian options are generally easy to find, locating vegan meals might pose challenges in rural areas or smaller towns. Keep in mind that lunch breaks usually take place at traditional restaurants, which may have limited capacity to cater to special dietary needs beyond their regular menu. Please take this into account when organizing your cycling tour in Denmark.

What's the best season for cycling in Denmark?

In Denmark, the ideal cycling season runs from mid-April to mid-October. However, for elevated regions like the mountains, it’s advisable to schedule your cycling expeditions from mid-May to September.

What if the weather forecast is unfavourable?

In Denmark, cycling tours can be enjoyed in light rain, given you have the right clothing. During the summer months, afternoon thunderstorms are common, so it’s recommended to start your tours early in the day. If challenging weather conditions are expected, we will make every effort to adjust the tour schedule accordingly.

How does luggage transfer work?

On cycling trips, luggage transfer allows you to ride without carrying heavy bags. Each morning, you leave your luggage at the designated spot—often the hotel reception—and it’s transported to your next overnight stop. Your bags are usually waiting for you when you arrive. Weight limits and pickup times can vary slightly depending on the service provider.

Do you transfer bikes too? How does it work?

Yes, bike transfers are often available when needed—such as before, after, or during your trip. Bikes are typically transported in secure vehicles or trailers designed for bicycles. You may need to notify the provider in advance, and some services require the bike to be clean or partially disassembled. Exact procedures vary depending on location and logistics.

Viking house at Fyrkat with wooden shingle roof in a grassy field under a cloudy sky

mariager elektricitetsværk is a red building from 1907 on the teglgade in the danish town of Mariager

Cyclists riding on coastal path near Lemvig

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Vikings, Lakes & Fjords Denmark Bike Tour

8 days / 7 nights

A self-guided bike tour in Denmark from Aarhus to a UNESCO Viking fortress, Elvis's Danish Graceland and Tollund Man, then home through the Lake District.

Starting Point

Aarhus

Finish Point

Aarhus

Activity Level

3/5

Season

From April to September

Bike Type

E-Bike

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Daily Distance

16 – 30 mi

Daily Elevation

942 – 1155 ft

A self-guided bike tour in Denmark from Aarhus to a UNESCO Viking fortress, Elvis's Danish Graceland and Tollund Man, then home through the Lake District.

Starting Point

Aarhus

Finish Point

Aarhus

Activity Level

3/5

Season

From April to September

Bike Type

E-Bike

Accommodation Level

Comfort

Daily Distance

16 – 30 mi

Daily Elevation

942 – 1155 ft

Highlights

Walk the rooftop rainbow of ARoS, Aarhus' art museum, on arrival day
Memphis Mansion in Randers, a full-size copy of Elvis Presley's Graceland
Step inside Fyrkat, a Viking ring fortress on the UNESCO World Heritage List
Tollund Man in Silkeborg, the best-known bog body in Europe
The view from Himmelbjerget, the Sky Mountain, over Denmark's Lake District
Ride beside Mossø, Jutland's largest lake, to the grass-roofed Moesgaard Museum

Itinerary of the trip

Your tour begins in Aarhus, Denmark's second city, with the afternoon free. Head first for ARoS, whose circular rainbow walkway crowns the roof, one of the largest art museums in northern Europe, and walk the full ring to see the city through every color of the spectrum. Afterward the river through the center leads down to the harbor. From tomorrow the loop heads north, to the fjord towns and the Viking fortress of Fyrkat.

Gallery

Aros contemporary art museum Aarhus, Denmark

Aarhus canal with brick buildings, parked bicycles, and pedestrians walking along the waterfront

Aarhus Docklands harbour at night with illuminated ship and city skyline

Accommodation

Hotel in Aarhus

Separate cycle paths take you out of Aarhus, and quiet country lanes on national route 2 carry you north to Randers on the Gudenå, Denmark's longest river. At the edge of town waits Memphis Mansion, a full-size copy of Elvis Presley's Graceland, with an Elvis museum and an American diner inside. Nobody expects to meet the King on a Danish bike tour, which is half the fun. Randers' old center is close by for the evening.

Gallery

Graceland museum building in Randers with neoclassical facade and green lawn

Former train tracks turned bridge named Den Blå Bro at night between golden and blue hour sunset over the Gudenå river in Randers Denmark

Colorful clouds over Red roof in Randers city Denmark

Accommodation

Hotel in Randers

Cycling

46 km (29 mi) and 325 m (1,066 ft) of elevation gain

Back roads and the riverside path along the Gudenå lead to Mariager, the town of roses above its fjord. Roses climb the walls of its cobbled lanes, most colorful in June and July, and the lanes rise to the church of a former Bridgettine abbey. On selected summer days a vintage steam railway runs from the town station through the countryside. The fjord shore then carries you on to Hobro, where the day ends at the head of the fjord.

Gallery

the tower of a white Scandinavian church reflected in a mirror-like lake

Swan in the port of Mariager, Jutland,Denmark

Accommodation

Hotel in Hobro

Cycling

39 km (24 mi) and 306 m (1,004 ft) of elevation gain

Today belongs to the Vikings. Just outside Hobro waits Fyrkat, a Viking ring fortress on UNESCO's list since 2023, where a reconstructed longhouse stands beside the round ramparts. A stretch of the Hærvejen, the old Army Road, carries you on across open country toward Viborg. The day ends below Viborg Cathedral, probably the largest granite church in the world.

Gallery

Aerial view of Fyrkat Viking ring fortress in Denmark, showcasing historical architecture and cultural heritage

Viborg ancient cathedral in the middle of Denmark

Accommodation

Hotel in Viborg

Cycling

41 km (25 mi) and 287 m (942 ft) of elevation gain

Leave Viborg for Hald Ege, an oak forest where the ruins of a medieval castle stand above Hald Lake. A short walk up the Dollerup Hills, shaped in the ice age, opens a wide view over the water. The route then runs south to Silkeborg, where Tollund Man, a 2,400-year-old bog body, lies in the town museum with a face so well kept that he seems to be asleep.

Gallery

boat dock at lake Hald So, Denmark, Central Jutland region

Calm lake surrounded by rolling hills and dry reeds under a cloudy sky

Accommodation

Hotel in Silkeborg

Cycling

44 km (27 mi) and 352 m (1,155 ft) of elevation gain

This is the Lake District day, and it is short on purpose. Lakeside paths and forest tracks climb to Himmelbjerget, the Sky Mountain, 147 meters (482 ft) above the sea, where a tower looks over the Gudenå and Lake Julsø. Below, Hjejlen, the oldest coal-fired paddle steamer still in service anywhere, has worked these lakes since 1861. In Ry, a canoe on the river makes an easy evening on the water.

Gallery

Hjejlen old ancient steamboat in the Danish Lake district, Denmark

Ry Silkeborg camping grounds Skyttehuset in the Danish Lake District, Denmark

Accommodation

Hotel in Ry

Cycling

25 km (16 mi) and 330 m (1,083 ft) of elevation gain

The last riding day follows the quiet northern shore of Mossø, Jutland's largest lake, to Skanderborg, where the church of a former royal castle stands above the lake. Further on comes Moesgaard Museum, where the Grauballe Man lies beneath a sloping grass roof. Beech forest and seaside paths along Aarhus Bay, past Marselisborg, the royal family's summer residence, lead you back into Aarhus to close the loop.

Gallery

Cornfield overlooking lake and distant rolling hills under blue sky with clouds

Skanderborg Slotskirke red brick church building with round tower and green roof on grassy slope

Moesgaard Museum with sloped grass roof and visitors walking under a blue sky with clouds

Accommodation

Hotel in Aarhus

Cycling

48 km (30 mi) and 336 m (1,102 ft) of elevation gain

Spend the last morning at Den Gamle By, where houses moved from all over Denmark form an open-air old town, a short walk from the center, or at ARoS if the first afternoon ran short. Around Aarhus Cathedral, the narrow lanes of the Latin Quarter are the oldest part of the city. Trains leave Aarhus Central Station for Copenhagen, and the airport buses to Aarhus and Billund depart from the same station.

Gallery

Den Gamle By open-air museum with historic half-timbered houses and garden in Aarhus

Mintmaster's House timber-framed building facade with red tiled roof in Den Gamle By, Aarhus

Vikings, Lakes & Fjords Denmark Bike Tour

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What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

Those who like good adventure and limitless flexibility should go on a self-guided cycling holiday. It offers complete freedom, multiple detour opportunities, and exploration at your own pace without having to adapt to a group.

INCLUDED

7 nights in 3-star hotels with breakfast

Tour design and organization

Digital guidebook with detailed itinerary and route instructions

GPS navigation with an easy-to-use app

Service and support during your tour

NOT INCLUDED

Train tickets for the optional shortcuts (a bike space on IC trains costs about 2.7 €; regional trains are free outside rush hours)

Airport transfer (bus 925X from Aarhus Airport to Aarhus Central Station)

Individual travel insurance

Bike rental (available as an optional extra: e-bike)

Tourist tax

This self-guided Denmark bike tour is a loop from Aarhus, so it starts and finishes in Denmark's second city and needs no transfer back. The route runs clockwise: north through farmland to Randers, on to Mariager and its fjord, west to Viborg, then south into the Lake District and home along the shore of Mossø, Jutland's largest lake.

History fills almost every day. Fyrkat, a ring fortress from the Viking Age, joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023, and a longhouse has been rebuilt beside its ramparts. Viborg's cathedral is probably the largest granite church in the world. In Silkeborg, Tollund Man has kept his face for 2,400 years, and the paddle steamer Hjejlen has sailed the nearby lakes since 1861. Randers adds a twist: a full-size copy of Elvis Presley's Graceland.

Expect rolling country rather than flat. Much of the way follows signed cycle routes such as national route 2 and the Hærvejen, and the steepest short climbs come around Himmelbjerget. The days are short enough for museums, a long lunch or an hour among Mariager's roses. An e-bike flattens the hills if you would rather save your legs.

You stay seven nights in town hotels with breakfast, each evening in a new town, and the digital guidebook shows the way from one to the next.

Riders who want gentler ground and royal castles north of Copenhagen will find them on The Best of Royal Zealand. If Vikings, lakes and roses sound right, send us your dates and the loop will be ready when you arrive in Aarhus.

Accommodation levelComfort

Carefully selected town hotels in Aarhus, Randers, Viborg and Silkeborg and smaller hotels in Mariager and Ry, with breakfast included. Expect comfortable, well-appointed rooms in convenient locations close to the center of each town.

Our Bikes

Bikes are an optional extra on this tour. Rolling country, the Lake District climbs and forest tracks suit an e-bike best. We help you choose the right size for you.

E-Bike

Touring E-Bikes

Best for: Comfortable trekking, touring, longer distances, and hilly routes

Top Places You’ll See

Fyrkat

Fyrkat is one of the Viking Age ring fortresses that were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2023. Built around 980 on the order of King Harald Bluetooth, it is a perfect circle of earth ramparts with four gates and a cross of streets inside. A longhouse has been rebuilt on the spot, so the scale of Viking life is easy to picture.

Viborg Cathedral

Viborg Cathedral is a Romanesque granite church that, according to the cathedral itself, is probably the largest granite church in the world. Inside, the walls and ceilings carry the painted Bible stories of the artist Joakim Skovgaard, a cycle that took years to finish. The two towers rise above the old town.

Silkeborg and Hjejlen

Silkeborg lies in the middle of Denmark's Lake District, where the Gudenå river runs through a chain of lakes and forest. The paddle steamer Hjejlen has sailed the nearby lakes since 1861, and the old steamer at the harbor is one of the town's best-known sights. The lakes are the reason to linger.

Himmelbjerget

Himmelbjerget, the Sky Mountain, rises only 147 meters above sea level, yet it has been a Danish landmark for generations. A tower on top looks out over the lakes of the Gudenå, with Julsø shimmering below. The classic view over the lakes of Denmark's Lake District is the reason to come.

Mariager

Mariager calls itself the town of roses, and the cobbled lanes of its old center are lined with them, most colorful in June and July. Above the fjord stands the church of a former Bridgettine abbey. A heritage steam railway to Handest leaves from the station on selected summer days.

Moesgaard Museum

Moesgaard Museum is one of the most striking archaeology museums in Denmark, with a grass-covered roof that slopes down to the ground so that visitors can walk up it. Inside is the Grauballe Man, an Iron Age bog body about 2,300 years old, and exhibits that follow Danes from the Stone Age to the Vikings. Beech woods and the beaches of Aarhus Bay begin just beyond its grounds.

Things to know

Rolling rather than flat. Climbs are short but steep around the Lake District, and no day has more than about 350 meters (1,150 ft) of ascent. Day 5, from Viborg to Silkeborg, is the hardest, and overall the tour sits at level 3 of 5 for fitness. On an e-bike the climbs stay comfortable even for occasional riders.

Aarhus is both start and finish, so you never need a transfer back. Airport bus 925X links Aarhus Airport with Aarhus Central Station, and bus 912X does the same from Billund Airport; trains from Copenhagen arrive at the same station. Your hotel is a short walk or taxi ride away.

Hjejlen sails between Silkeborg and Himmelbjerget from May to September, but bikes on board are not confirmed, so the route reaches Himmelbjerget by bike. To ride the steamer, add a night in Silkeborg and make it a day trip without the bike.

Trains can take over part of days 2, 4, 6 and 7:

regional trains carry bikes free outside rush hours
InterCity trains need a bike ticket
train tickets are not included and are bought on the day

In Aarhus or in Silkeborg. A spare day in Aarhus leaves time for ARoS, Den Gamle By and Moesgaard Museum; one in Silkeborg is the day for the Hjejlen steamer to Himmelbjerget, from May to September.

The tour is run with e-bikes, which keep the Lake District climbs comfortable. The e-bike handles the forest tracks on the Lake District day and the Hærvejen as well; a road bike does not.

Not in the base price. Luggage transfer between the hotels can be added as an optional extra, priced per group rather than per person, so it costs less per head the more of you travel together.

Set off on a self-guided cycling adventure, crafted for a personalized and flexible experience on two wheels. Discover wonders at your leisure, with the liberty to modify your route or itinerary as you wish. Our committed team meticulously takes care of all aspects, including accommodation arrangements, comprehensive planning, GPS navigation assistance, and ongoing support, to ensure a peaceful and captivating trip. This journey celebrates independence, personal discovery, and authentic cultural encounters.

Ratings & Reviews

+172

Kathy Stewart

Verified customer · 4 months ago

I had a fantastic solo bike trip with Denmark Bike Tours. This was my first bike trip and it all went perfectly. My high quality EBike was delivered right on time and Lars helped me get it set up so that I was comfortable the entire trip. The locking system was easy to use. After a little bit of a learning curve with Ride with GPS (I had never used it before as a navigation tool) it proved to be very user friendly ,easy to use, and remarkably accurate. The distances travelled each day were doable. I was pretty sore after a week of riding and learned that this 67 year old body should probably have a rest day with a massage midway through the trip! The hotels were all quite satisfactory, with bountiful and delicious breakfasts to start my day off right. One thing I did learn along the way is that other than on the first day of riding, there weren’t an abundance of places to stop along the way midday for lunch or coffee, so I learned to bring a midday snack with me just in case. I did learn that I wasn’t too crazy about the non paved portions of the trip (about 30% overall) so my next trip I will choose a trip that has more paved roads. Overall, the experience was excellent, the folks at the company were very responsive and helpful, from my first inquiry to support along the way. Special shout out to the very kind and friendly staff at the Good Morning Copenhagen hotel which was my first and last stops.

Bicycle with red pannier bag parked on a dirt path through grassy fields and lakeshore

Coastal shoreline at sunset with buildings along the water and cloudy sky

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Woman with glasses smiling in front of colorful orange and pink flowers

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maggie

Verified customer · 4 months ago

We enjoyed a fabulous trip through Denmark on our bikes, from our initial contact with this company, to our conclusion of the ride in Copenhagen. We realized as we went along that the mostly paved routes were carefully planned to lead us into the countryside, through unbelievable ancient forests, or along the incredibly scenic coast, away from any busy roads. The hotels were all very nicely located on the outskirts of towns with easy arrival/departure access. We felt very welcome at every hotel. Breakfasts were delicious, too. The sturdy comfortable bikes were excellent, with panniers and helmets provided. Navigating the gravel forest paths was a breeze. The Ride GPS system worked very well for us. If we veered off course, the program chimed to let us know right away. Trip notes gave us great tips for sightseeing and restaurants. If I could do this trip again, I would plan an extra day in Rorvig to spend time at the beautiful beach there. Having completed a number of self guided bike trips, I can heartily recommend this one! and look forward to future adventures in cycling.

Red poppies and wildflowers blooming in a field with rolling hills and a blue sky

Sunlight filtering through tall trees along a forest path

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Calm lake with grassy shoreline and blue sky under bright sunlight

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Mary Michelsen

Verified customer · 5 months ago

We used Denmark Bike Tours to help us plan a self-guided tour of North Zealand in Denmark. We were coming from the USA and did not have any experience in the area. We mainly worked with Janez. We communicate via email and her responses were always very prompt. They allowed us to customize our trip based on our areas of interest, how long we wanted to bike, and how many nights we wanted to stay in certain areas. They also allowed us to upgrade some of our hotel stays. Most of the hotels they chose for us were 3* hotels and all included a great breakfast. The hotels were clean and comfortable. I highly recommend using this company for your bike trip to Denmark. The cost of this self-guided trip was significantly lower than some of the other guided trips.

Group of cyclists with touring bicycles standing on a sidewalk in front of a building

Tanilla McDaniel

Verified customer · 4 months ago

This was a great experience for my first bike tour. I selected Denmark Bike Tours because I liked the description of all the back end support for the trip (luggage transfer, recommended bike shops for assistance, recommended points of interest along the way, etc.). It really took a lot off my plate in preparing for my first visit to Denmark. I was also able to add on an overnight visit to Sweden! The option to chat with Anze via teleconference and talk about my interests, experience level, bike selection, and other tour options really helped him to create a customized trip for me within the Best of Royal Zealand package. I received a level of care that we don't typically see these days and it was really appreciated.

Heidi

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Janez and the Denmark Bike Tours team crafted an unforgettable custom itinerary through northern Jutland. They transformed a general idea and a vague starting point into a flawless trip that checked all my boxes. The digital Trip Plan and GPS guide eliminated all navigation stress, while the comfortable hotels featured hearty breakfasts to start our mornings. Cycling along quiet rural roads, dedicated bicycle paths, and scenic gravel tracks, we passed through farmlands, quaint villages, and the beautiful shores of the Limfjord. It was truly an incredible experience!

Kevin Harkin

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Denmark is a fantastic country to cycle - relatively flat, friendly and beautiful coast. Denmark Bike Tours (Janez) changed both our intinery, dates and bike drop off to work around changing schedules. Good bikes and hotels and GPS by bike means you cant get lost. The Trip notes were great - turns a cycle into a day out. A fantastic experience - would highly recommend - you just turn up and cycle - no stress!

Kathy Stewart

Verified customer · 4 months ago

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Mary Michelsen

Verified customer · 5 months ago

Heidi

Verified customer · 4 months ago

maggie

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Show all 6 photos

Tanilla McDaniel

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Kevin Harkin

Verified customer · 4 months ago

Vikings, Lakes & Fjords Denmark Bike Tour

Highlights

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Arrival in Aarhus

Day 2: Aarhus to Randers

Day 3: Randers to Hobro

Day 4: Hobro to Viborg

Day 5: Viborg to Silkeborg

Day 6: Silkeborg to Ry

Day 7: Ry to Aarhus

Day 8: Departure from Aarhus

Loved the Itinerary?

Loved the Itinerary?

What’s included in the price?

Self-guided

INCLUDED

NOT INCLUDED

Our Bikes

Touring E-Bikes

Top Places You’ll See

Things to know

Is the route flat?

Where does the tour start and end, and how do I get there?

Can we take the Hjejlen steamer with our bikes?

Can I shorten a day?

Can I add a night?

Which bike suits the route?

Is luggage transfer included?

What are self-guided cycling tours?

Ratings & Reviews

Kathy Stewart

maggie

Mary Michelsen

Tanilla McDaniel

Heidi

Kevin Harkin

Kathy Stewart

Mary Michelsen

Heidi

maggie

Tanilla McDaniel

Kevin Harkin

Similar Products

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Unbeatable Support

Book with Confidence

Itinerary of the trip

Day 1: Arrival in Aarhus

Day 2: Aarhus to Randers

Day 3: Randers to Hobro

Day 4: Hobro to Viborg

Day 5: Viborg to Silkeborg

Day 6: Silkeborg to Ry

Day 7: Ry to Aarhus

Day 8: Departure from Aarhus

Loved the Itinerary?

Loved the Itinerary?

Our Bikes

Touring E-Bikes

Ratings & Reviews

Kathy Stewart

maggie

Mary Michelsen

Tanilla McDaniel

Heidi

Kevin Harkin

Kathy Stewart

Mary Michelsen

Heidi

maggie

Tanilla McDaniel

Kevin Harkin

Similar Products

Top Places You’ll See