100 km cycle tour on Samsø

Discover Samsø on two wheels – a circular route offering variety and a challenge

Samsø’s 100 km cycle route is a circular route for those who want to experience the island from the saddle of a bike and set themselves a challenge. The route takes you through charming villages, along beautiful stretches of coastline, past historical sights and to impressive Ice Age landscapes.

The route is part of the ‘4 x 100’ concept, where you can challenge yourself to cycle 100 km across four Danish islands. On Samsø, you’ll enjoy a varied ride featuring everything from long stretches of coastline, hilly landscapes and heathland to farmland, a fjord and small villages. It’s not just a cycle ride – it’s an invitation to experience the island up close.

A journey through nature, history and charming villages

Samsø is a miniature version of Denmark, and the 100 kilometres take you through a bit of everything.

The varied landscape gives the cycle route a special character, with ever-changing views and atmospheres, enhanced by the island’s historical and cultural riches. Along the way, you’ll pass through more than 20 harbours and villages – each with its own distinctive character and charm – and pass the island’s seven beautifully situated churches.

In South Samsø, you’ll see a wealth of burial mounds, and on the way north you’ll pass the historic Kanhave Canal, dug by the Vikings in the year 726. About halfway through the ride, you’ll reach the island’s highest point, Ballebjerg, with a beautiful view over Nordby Bakker, the sea and on to Tunø and Aarhus.

All in all, a cycle ride where, as you pedal along, you can soak up the atmosphere of Samsø along the way.

Planning your 100 km cycle ride

The 100 km cycle route on Samsø is particularly well-suited to road bikes and other bikes that perform well on tarmac. The route is well suited to those looking for a longer day trip, an active holiday in Denmark or an island challenge combining nature and exercise. If you’re riding an e-bike, there are plenty of opportunities to recharge your battery along the way at the island’s free charging points, and should your tyres need inflating, you’ll find bike pumps in many places across the island. View a map of the cycling island of Samsø.

The 100 km route on Samsø is not signposted, but you can find maps and GPX files on a number of services, including Strava, Outdooractive and Ridewithgps.

The route can be cycled in either direction, or you can start at a different point along the route.

If you’d like to challenge yourself with 4 x 100 km across the four islands, you’ll find all four routes here: