A day trip canoeing on the Gudenå: Tørring-Åstedbro
Canoeing on the Gudenå is a fun and climate-friendly activity for everyone. The southernmost stretch from Tørring is quite beginner-friendly and offers many turns where you can practice your technique. The trip goes through peaceful nature in Denmark's biggest wetland, Uldum Kær.
Memorable trip on Denmark's only river
A perfect distance for beginners and families with children is Tørring to Åstedbro. It takes approx. 4-4,5 hours to paddle the distance. With big children onboard, you may be able to go all the way to Gudenå Camping in Bredstenbro in 6-6,5 hours.
We will guide you to a good day trip in the canoe.
Step 1: Book your canoe(s)
It is quite easy to rent canoes for the trip. Contact Tørring Canoe Rental to book. They have all the practical stuff covered. And they will even pick up the canoe for you in Åstedbro.
We recommend that you rent the canoe some time in advance if possible. There are limitations to how many people can sail on the Gudenå per day - and annually. Therefore, you risk that it is not possible to rent a canoe if you try to book last minute.
On this southernmost part of the Gudenå river, you are only allowed to sail from June 16 to December 31 - the reason for this is to protect an important nature area.
Step 2: Off to Tørring
Tørring is a popular starting point for canoeing trips on Gudenåen. This is where the river gets wide enough for you to sail in it. If you arrive by car, you can park at Tørring Canoe Rental - and it is possible to leave the car here until you return. If you wish to use public transportation, you can get on a regional bus from Horsens or Vejle. Find departures on Rejseplanen.
You are allowed to sail on the Gudenå from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Your time of departure depends of course, on when you expect to be in Tørring, and whether you wish to get a ride back to Tørring with the Gudenå Bus. It has one daily departure - we will get back to that.
Step 3: Get in the canoe
Start by reporting to the reception at Tørring Canoe Rental. They are ready to inform you about safety and techniques, and will gladly give you tips and tricks. If you never tried canoeing, then do not worry. This southern stretch is narrow, with calm and shallow water, so you can safely get comfortable with the canoe. You will now be sailing north. The first couple of hours, you will sail through Uldum Kær, Denmark's largest wetland. After a couple of hours, you will get to the end of the world (yes, that is actually the name of the place), where you can get on land on your left hand. This is a logical place for your first break. If you wish, you can go for a walk and explore Uldum Kær. In that case, we suggest that you have lunch here. Alternatively, you can wait until you get to the campsite Aale Teltplads after one more hour of paddling.
There are quite a few turns and bends on this stretch, and you, and you will likely bump against the edges a few times. But do not worry - the canoe is quite stable, and you can easily use the paddle to push your way back on track. Besides, it is quite a fun and good way to learn the techniques.
The last stage of today's trip is to the final destination Åstedbro. On this stretch, the Gudenå opens up a bit and becomes wider. At this point, you will be much more comfortable in the canoe and can likely reach higher speeds here.
The whole trip from Tørring to Klostermølle is 15 kilometres long, which is perfect for a day trip. This distance is doable for most people - even families with children. You may want to take turns sitting in the front and rear of the canoe to relieve the body. The person in the front acts as the engine, and the person in the back steers through turns.
You will find the campsite Åstedbro Teltplads on your left hand just after passing under a bridge.
Step 4: Back to Tørring - or just back home
Pull the canoe to shore and leave it at the camp site. The canoe rental will pick up the canoe here, so make sure that you ask them in advance where they prefer that you leave it. In any case, make sure that you pull it so far up the lawn that it will not be in the way for the next canoeists.
From June 29 to August 11 and all weekend days in August you can get a free ride back to Tørring with the Gudenå Bus. It departs at 4:54 pm from Åstedbro every day. You can see the bus sign if you go to the road (Nørresnedevej 139-140). Since the bus only has one daily departure, we recommend that you start the trip from Tørring quite early. The trip takes 4-4½ hours, but you should start quite early before noon, just to be safe.
Alternatively, you can get on bus 116, which connects Horsens and Herning. This also stops at the camp site, but does not go to Tørring.
Frequently asked questions about canoeing
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.
Do I need to purchase a lot of equipment before a day in the canoe?
No, you do not need to bring your own life jacket. When you book a canoe trip with Tørring Kanoudlejning, you must also book a life jacket for every person in your group. If you already have your own, you are welcome to bring it instead. Everyone should wear a properly fitted life jacket throughout the trip, even if they can swim. You can read more about hiring equipment here.
Remember to bring plenty of food and drinking water. Paddling can be tiring, especially on a warm day, so make sure everyone has enough to drink.
And do not forget your sun cream! You can spend several hours out in the sun, and our outdoor expert has learnt that lesson the hard way.
There is plenty of room in the canoe for a couple of backpacks and a cool bag. However, there is always a risk of the canoe tipping over, so keep important belongings, such as your phone, wallet and keys, in waterproof dry bags.
Choose your footwear carefully, too. Water can splash into the canoe, and you may need to step into shallow water to free it if it gets stuck. Wear shoes that can get wet and provide a good grip. Avoid going barefoot when getting in or out of the canoe.
Finally, pack a change of clothes in a waterproof bag, especially a spare pair of dry socks. You will be glad to have them if you get wet!
Can I use a kayak or SUP board on Gudenåen?
Yes, absolutely. The rules for permits that apply to canoes also apply to kayaks and paddleboards.
It is possible to rent kayaks at Tørring Canoe Rental.
Do I nee a permit for canoeing on the Gudenå?
If you rent a canoe, then you do not need to worry about permits. The canoe rental has this covered.
If you bring your own canoe to the area, then you must purchase a guest registration.
If you are a citizen in Horsens or Hedensted Municipality, you can register the canoe as local, and you do not need a guest registration.
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.
How many is there room for in a canoe? Can we bring the kids?
There is room for two adults in a canoe. If you have two children (max. 30 kilo), there is also room for them.
Bigger children can paddle, but prepare to be the engine if you share a canoe with a child. And take into account how patient the child is, since a day trip can be quite long.
How far can I canoe in one day?
Naturally, if you are preparing a canoeing holiday, it is nice to know how many days you need to spend on the journey. A day trip in a canoe is about 15-20 kilometres. It is of course individual and depends on preferences as well as who is canoeing. If you are in doubt, ask the canoe rental. They are always ready to guide and assist you.
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
More guides for canoe trips
Would you rather start with a canoe course?
Some feel safest in the company of an experienced guide when they go canoeing for the first time. Outdoor Connection offers courses, tours, and fun activities in the canoe on Gudenåen.
