Hardeshøj lies between lakes, forest and sea. The Alsstien also begins here, while the Nordalsfærgen Bitten connects the town with Ballebro on the Jutland side. This brings together two different travel experiences: a hiking route across Als and a ferry crossing that takes about ten minutes. The town thus combines landscape and hiking with the harbour and its ferry history.

The Alsstien: coastal forest, lakes and birdlife

The Alsstien begins in Hardeshøj on North Als, crosses Als through Nørreskoven and continues to Fynshav. Nørreskoven is one of Denmark’s longest coastal forests. The trail also passes the restored lakes Oldenor and Mjels Sø and brings hikers close to the local birdlife. Forest, lakes and birdlife give the route a variety of landscape features.

The route is an important starting point for planning: Hardeshøj is at the beginning of a trail that crosses the island to Fynshav. If you include the Alsstien in your stay, you can treat it as a hiking experience in its own right and consider how much the route should feature in your travel plans. The lakes and Nørreskoven provide specific landmarks along the way, while the proximity to birdlife adds another nature-focused element.

Ferry service and harbour history

The Nordalsfærgen Bitten connects Hardeshøj on Als with Ballebro on the Jutland side. The crossing takes about ten minutes. If you plan to take the ferry to or from your destination, check the timetable in advance. This makes it easy to account for the crossing as a short, separate part of your journey, distinct from planning a hike across Als.

The history of the ferry service also goes back a long way: it is marked on a map from 1683. Hardeshøj is also an old shipping port. The Hardeshøj Kro near the harbour dates back to 1721. Alongside the hiking trail, these historical connections give the town another focus.

The harbour also offers practical ways to enjoy the water. You can fish in both directions from there. The former Hardeshøj Dampskibsbro can be accessed by recreational boats and larger fishing vessels. Fishing and arriving by these types of boats are therefore also among the town’s maritime attractions, alongside the ferry service.

Choose the focus that suits your stay

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can start by asking yourself what you want your trip to Hardeshøj to focus on. The Alsstien offers a hiking experience that runs from Hardeshøj through Nørreskoven to Fynshav. The harbour and ferry service provide a different focus, complemented by the historic connection to Ballebro, the Hardeshøj Kro and fishing. You can give these themes different weight during your stay without having to combine them into a fixed daily itinerary.

If the ferry is part of your trip, factor its roughly ten-minute crossing and the timetable into your plans. If the Alsstien is your main focus, plan around the route across Als. This lets you choose where to stay according to your own interests: hiking through coastal forest and lake scenery, or exploring Hardeshøj’s ferry and harbour history.

Discover more destinations: Rønshoved, Sottrupskov, Holm, Nordborg, Augustenborg, Skovby, Dalsgård, Gråsten

For the overview of the wider area: Sønderborg Municipality.