2-day canoe trip: Åstedbro – Ry

Distance: 36 km
Duration: 2 days
Portages: 3 in total – 2 with cart and 1 via slide

The trip starts at Åstedbro

Your canoe trip begins at Åstedbro Campsite. From here, you paddle at a relaxed pace toward Gudenåcamping Brædstrup, located near Bredstenbro – typically reaching this first stop after about one and a half hours of paddling.

Onwards toward Vestbirk and the dammed lakes

After passing Bredstenbro, the Gudenå River becomes both deeper and wider. You will arrive at Bredvad Mill, where aquatic plants are collected. Here, you must make a sharp right turn – and again just before the bridge. You paddle into a small lagoon with a rest area, tables, benches, and toilets before continuing into the dammed lake areas near Vestbirk.

In this section, you paddle through Bredvad Lake and onwards to Naldal Lake. Along the left bank, you will find Vestbirk Camping, which offers opportunities for landing and overnight stays.

Vestbirk Power Plant – culture and canoe portage

After passing under the old railway bridge (now a nature trail), you arrive at Vestbirk Power Plant. Here, the canoe must be carried over land – a cart is available. The old hydropower plant is a great stop with its well-preserved turbine hall and historical exhibits.

Nature’s calm and wild birdlife

Now you come to one of the trip’s absolute highlights – the beautiful stretch from Vestbirk towards Mossø Lake. Here, you paddle through varied nature with the chance to spot kingfishers, herons, and perhaps even sea eagles.

The next overnight site is Voervadsbro Campsite, peacefully situated between the river and the former inn. Further along you reach Vilholt Mill – keep right because of a fish ladder on the left side – with rest facilities shortly after.

Klostermølle – history amidst nature

The Gudenå River now winds through dense vegetation, almost like a green tunnel, until you reach Klostermølle, where an old monastery stood 800 years ago. The monks once dug a canal here for mill operations, and later a paper factory was established. The impressive drying barn – Denmark’s longest wooden building – still stands here and houses both an exhibition and a birdwatching tower.

(At Klostermølle the canoe must be portaged again – a cart is available.)

You might also consider hiking up Sukkertoppen (108 m) for a magnificent view over Mossø – the hike takes about 1 hour.

Onwards to Ry via Gudensø

After Klostermølle, continue left and paddle along the main stream of the Gudenå River. After a few kilometers, Salten Stream joins from the left. If you follow this stream about 500 meters upstream, you reach Gammel Rye Campsite, where overnight stays and rest are possible. Note: paddling further upstream Salten Stream is not allowed.

Back on the main stream, turn left toward Gudensø and Ry. At Emborg Bridge, there is a rest area with tables and a picnic shelter – a great place to pause and refresh. Keep right at the river’s outlet into Gudensø, where a broad sandy beach allows you to pull the canoe ashore.

Øm Monastery and Ry Møllesø – the end of the trip

A path leads from the beach to Øm Monastery, founded in the 12th century and which served as a monastery, hospital, and nursing home. Today, it hosts a museum, exhibitions, and a monastery garden with medicinal herbs.

You continue paddling through Gudensø and Ry Møllesø. Along the way, you pass Holmens Camping, where you can stay overnight and shop for supplies. Finally, you reach Ry, where there is a modern passage under the main road and facilities such as toilets and a small portage spot.

The trip ends at the bottom of Ry Harbor – right in our backyard – with easy access for departure and transport home.