Cottage trip along the coast of Djursland: From Helgenæs to Jernhatten

The trip starts on Helgenæs

The approximately 30 km long route takes 6-7 hours to walk, depending on how fast you walk, how many stops you make along the way, and where on Helgenæs you start the route. However, the route can easily be divided into several smaller stages and taken over several days. We actually recommend that you do this, so you have time to enjoy the many beautiful areas you pass along the way. On the route, you will pass several Landfolk cottages where you can relax for the night before continuing your journey.

Exactly where on the beautiful little peninsula you want to start the trip is up to you. An obvious place is at Sletterhage Lighthouse, which is a lighthouse located right on the coast at the southwestern end of Helgenæs. There is a large parking lot at the lighthouse where you can park your car.

Towards Helgenæs' highest point

From Sletterhage Lighthouse, the trip goes north along Helgenæs' beautiful hilly landscape. Already after a short hour's walk, you will reach Helgenæs' highest point, Ellemandsbjerg. There is a small path to the top of the almost 100-meter-high hill, from where you can see the islands in the southern Kattegat, Funen, and Zealand.

And by the way... The vegetation around Ellemandsbjerg is a really good place to forage for mushrooms and blackberries in the autumn. Read Nina from Sanketure.dk's guide to foraging in nature here.

In General Rye's footsteps

The trip continues north through the small cozy village of Kongsgårde, and further towards General Rye's Sconce in the northern part of Helgenæs. General Rye's Sconce is a fortification located on Draget, which is a narrow spit of land separating Helgenæs from Mols. Once you have passed General Rye's Sconce and the spit of land, you have left Helgenæs and arrived in Mols instead.

If you want to experience more of Helgenæs' beautiful nature and sights, you will find several Landfolk cottages on the peninsula. Right out on Helgenæs' southern tip, for example, you will find Janus and Matias' large country estate, while a little further north, near Esby, you will find Helle and Frederik's completely renovated cottage with sea view.

Through the Mols Bjerge National Park

The trip now continues on Mols, where you will pass through the southern part of the national park, Mols Bjerge. You will, among other things, pass through the cozy village of Bogens, which is the only small village inside Mols Bjerge with only thatched houses. Bogens is a real little cultural gem in Mols Bjerge that you should not miss experiencing. Here you can easily spend time admiring the many fine and authentic thatched houses.

If you want to experience the warm and atmospheric surroundings in Bogens firsthand, you can stay overnight in Anja and Morten's thatched house, Gæstehuset, which is located in Bogens. The house is situated in the middle of nature in the heart of Mols Bjerge with ample opportunity to explore the national park's mountains on foot, by MTB, or on Icelandic horses. You can bring binoculars and find Trehøje, from where you can see both Aarhus and Ebeltoft.

You can get inspiration for the many tours, sights, and cultural experiences to be found in Mols Bjerge at the visitor center Øvre Strandkær, which you will pass on the trip.

Walk along Ebeltoft Vig

The trip continues along Ebeltoft Vig's northern coastline, where you will pass several lovely bathing beaches, such as Lyngsbæk Strand, Egsmark Strand, Handrup Strand, and Femmøller Strand. Especially the latter is a lovely child-friendly beach with shallow water and beautiful beach meadows in the background. The beach was awarded the Blue Flag in 2022. On the beach, there are both toilet facilities and an ice cream kiosk.

If you are looking for world-class gastronomic experiences, you can also do as Katrine and Peter, who have a cottage at Ebeltoft Vig, and visit Molskroen. Here you can enjoy a good dinner in a relaxed atmosphere and beautiful surroundings.

Past Dråby Sø to Jernhatten

Once you have rounded almost all of Ebeltoft Vig and arrive at Ebeltoft Park Hotel, the trip begins to go north towards the final destination, Jernhatten. Here you will pass, among other things, the beautiful Dråby Sø, which is a lake with clean and clear water with aquatic plants. Here you can suitably take a rest on the bridge or the benches by the lakeside.

The last stretch of the trip continues northeast until you reach Jernhatten on Djursland's east coast. Jernhatten, which is shrouded in troll beeches, carpets of dark green ivy, and blue anemones, is an almost 50-meter-high viewpoint with views of, among other things, the island of Hjelm in the Kattegat.

The area around Jernhatten is one of the most visited natural areas in Djursland, offering both hilly terrain with grasslands, scrub, and forest, as well as a beautiful beach located just below.

At the foot of Jernhatten, with panoramic views over the Kattegat, you will find Daniel, Sofie, and Anna's historic cottage. The cottage was once an old sea mill that has been renovated with respect for its history and original characteristics. There is room for the whole family here – and more. The cottage is located in the heart of Djursland, close to both the nature around Jernhatten, Mols Bjerge National Park, and atmospheric Ebeltoft.

Explore all our handpicked cottages in Mols Bjerge, or discover our cottages near Ebeltoft, which exude nostalgia, charm, and idyll.