Hærvejen is an ancient Central Jutland road once used to drive cattles from Jutland to the German region of Schleswig-Holstein.

Today, large parts of Hærvejen are unpaved, but you can still find stretches of the old, historical tracks where you can sense the atmosphere of those days. A short distance from Hærvejen you can find the source of the rivers Gudenå and Skjern Å in Tinnet Krat. The many grave mounds along the road testifies to the fact that the Hærvej has been an important road in the prehistoric times, most likely back in the early Stone Age.

The Hærvej was used by traders, who was transporting flint, amber, hides, pottery and oxen to central Europe , and by pilgrims on their way to visit the grave of the Apostles in Santiago in northern Spain, the Church of St. Peters in Rome or even Jerusalem. The road was also used by armies, which the many ramparts along the roadside testifies to.

The name Hærvej for the route from Viborg to the Danevirke existed since 1930, where Hugo Matthiessen wrote his book by that title.

Today the name “Hærvejen” means bicycle path and walking path, which were established by the counties in the 1980´er years. At the Hærvej is also a bridle path from Viborg to Bække.

The trip along Hærvejen is likely to take several days. Remember, therefore, to plan your overnight accommodation before starting the journey. See http://www.haervej.dk/