Gudenå River
Adventures along the Gudenå River
The Gudenå River winds its way through the landscape from Tinnet Krat west of Horsens to its outlet in Randers Fjord. In the peaceful surroundings along the river, nature takes centre stage, and you can explore it both on the water and along the riverbanks on the Gudenå Trail. The area offers several major natural attractions and charming villages, far from the hustle and bustle of city life.
How would you like to experience the Gudenå River?
Local favourites in nature
The Uncovered Bridge (Den Genfundne Bro)
Brædstrup, South Jutland
The Monastery Mill (Klostermølle)
Gudenå, South Jutland
Vestbirk Hydroelectric Plant (Vandkraftværk)
Østbirk, East Jutland
Hidden gems
Small market towns along the Gudenå River
Frequently asked questions about the Gudenå River
How long is the Gudenå?
If you ask your good friend Google, you can get a bit confused. some sources say 149 kilometres - others 176... or 160. It all depends on what you refer to as the Gudenå. For example the first narrow stretch after the sources of the Gudenå and its outlet in Randers Fjord.
The strech that you can navigate in a canoe is 140 kilometres. And the one-way traffic stretch in the Coastal Land between Tørring and The Monastery Mill is 41 kilometres.
Tørring – Åstedbro: 14 km
Åstedbro – Bredstenbro: 6 km
Bredstenbro – Vestbirk Hydropower Plantrk: 7 km
Vestbirk Hydropower Plant – Voervadsbro: 7 km
Voervadsbro – The Monastery Mill/Lake Mossø: 6 km
The Monastery Mill/Lake Mossø – Ry: 10 km
I cannot swim. Can I go canoeing on the Gudenå?
If you cannot swim, avoid the deeper sections of the River Gudenå. It is also always a good idea to wear a life jacket.
If you cannot swim or feel nervous around water, we recommend the stretch between Tørring and Åstedbro. Here, the river is narrow and shallow, sometimes so shallow that your canoe almost touches the bottom. The current is gentle, so the canoe stays fairly steady. There are plenty of bends to navigate, though, making this section a little more challenging. Paddling your way around the winding river is great fun, and you might soon forget all about your nerves.
Are you only permitted to sail in one direction?
Yes. You are not allowed to sail upstream from Klostermølle to Tørring. Therefore, you must follow Gudenåen northward. Sailing downstream is also a bit nicer.
For this reason, during the summer holiday, you can get on The Gudenå Bus, which sails canoeists from Klostermølle to Tørring with several stops every day. The bus is your way to get back to the starting point.
Is there a cycling route along the Gudenå River?
There is no single continuous cycling route along the Gudenå River. There is a hiking route, the Gudenå Trail, but this is not suitable for cycling. However, by combining two regional cycle routes, you can cycle all the way from the source of the Gudenå River to its outlet in Randers Fjord.
Regional Cycle Route 33 can be followed from Det Store Vandskel to Gl. Rye. From Gl. Rye, you can continue along Regional Cycle Route 30 all the way to Randers.
How long is the Gudenå Trail?
The Gudenå Trail hiking route is 175 kilometres long and runs all the way from the source of the Gudenå River to Randers.
The Gudenå Trail is divided into 18 stages. In the southern part of the Gudenå River, the following stages are included:
Stage 1: From the source to Tørring: 12 km
Stage 2: Tørring to Rask Mølle: 12 km
Stage 3: Rask Mølle to Bredstenbro: 11 km
Stage 4: Bredstenbro to The Uncovered Bridge: 10 km
Stage 5: The Uncovered Bridge to Voervadsbro: 8 km
Stage 6: Voervadsbro to Klostermølle: 6 km
Where can I fish along the Gudenå River?
Fishing is not permitted everywhere along the Gudenå River, as fishing rights are managed by different angling associations across specific stretches of the river.
Horsens og Omegns Sportsfiskeforening holds the fishing rights to several sections. Some are reserved for members only, but there are also two stretches where you can purchase a fishing permit. Read more on this page.
Fishing permits for the Vestbirk Lakes are available at Vestbirk Camping.
At Klostermølle Campsite, fishing permits can be purchased from the site warden.
In addition, several accommodation providers offer free fishing in connection with an overnight stay. This applies to Tørring Camping, Gudenå Camping and Voervadsbro Campsite.
Please note that you must always hold a valid Danish national fishing licence when fishing in Denmark. This can be purchased for one day, one week or one year. It is available on this page. In some locations, you will therefore need both a national fishing licence and a local fishing permit in order to fish.
Where can I find the source of the Gudenå River?
In Tinnet Krat, west of Tørring, a spring bubbles up from the ground. This is where the Gudenå River begins – Denmark’s longest river. Just a few hundred metres away, you will also find the source of Denmark’s most water-abundant river, the Skjern River.
From here, on the Jutland Ridge, the rivers flow in opposite directions – the Gudenå River to the east and the Skjern River to the west. This is why the area is known as Det Store Vandskel (The Great Watershed).
Tinnet Krat is Denmark’s largest area of oak scrub and a rare remnant of the original forest that once covered much of Jutland. The area features several waymarked circular walking routes and is well worth a visit. Det Store Vandskel is part of Denmark’s Nature Canon.
When can I paddle or sail on the Gudenå River?
Whether you are travelling by canoe, kayak, SUP board or any other type of craft, it is only permitted to paddle on the southernmost stretch of the Gudenå River between Tørring and Klostermølle from 16 June to 31 December. On the rest of the Gudenå River, paddling is permitted all year round.
