Via Jutlandica — a historic cyclepath through Germany's north

Bike Touring Collection by komoot

days

1-3 h

/ day

149 mi

2,525 ft

2,625 ft

If you cycle the Via Jutlandica in Schleswig-Holstein, you follow the traces of the oldest long distance road in North and Middle Europe. The wonderful way, that leads you through the green midland between Flensburg and Wedel by Hamburg, is lined by plenty of archaeological sites and gives you insights into the history of the region. Two crossed horns made from oak wood and copper show you the way and recall a time a thousand years ago, when huge ox herds were brought south from Denmark to be sold on the markets along the Elbe.

Discover the history of the “Ox-Path” away from busy streets, where ages ago pilgrims, merchants, ox farmers and soldiers fought their way through the country. Five days over approximately 245 kilometers guide you along a diverse mixture of unique landscapes, old cultural relics, historical sites and interesting towns. Far away from motorways you stroll through wide moss swamps, forests and meadows and also come through beautiful cities like Flensburg, Schleswig oder Rendsburg. Peace and relaxation combined with nature and culture. A perfect cycling pilgrimage.

On The Map

Do it yourself

Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.

Via Jutlandica (Ochsenweg)

145 mi

2,525 ft

2,550 ft

Last updated: June 19, 2023

Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.

Learn more

Tours

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Pattburg to Schleswig – Ochsenweg
03:25
32.6 mi
9.6 mph
950 ft
1,025 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Start of the route is in Flensburg, an old port city with numerous maritime attractions. From this interesting starting point, it's about 50 kilometers on mostly flat stretches south to Schleswig.
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 2: Schleswig to Rendsburg – Ochsenweg
03:10
29.0 mi
9.2 mph
500 ft
550 ft
Expert
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Anyone who has not yet visited the city of Schleswig should do so at the start of the second stage. Definitely visit the fishermen's quarter and Gottorf Castle. Then it goes further south. You pass the city park in an arc and then Dannewerk, a small village with many testimonies of the Viking culture…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View

Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Rendsburg to Nortorf – Ochsenweg
01:52
18.0 mi
9.7 mph
250 ft
175 ft
Easy
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
From Rendsburg it goes now to Nortorf. Here the paths lead only occasionally through smaller and larger towns, cities are looking in vain. But nature shows itself on the almost 30 kilometers from its most beautiful side. Very calm and relaxed cycling guaranteed!
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 4: Nortorf to Bad Bramstedt – Ochsenweg
02:55
28.6 mi
9.8 mph
300 ft
375 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
For this day's stage, there is an alternative route that instead leads directly to Neumünster, after Aukrug. Here is still a section of the original Ochsenweges: a several hundred meters long track, which extends through a beautiful heathland. For the detour, however, a bit more distance than the approximately…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 5: Bad Bramstedt to Wedel – Ochsenweg
03:55
40.2 mi
10.3 mph
550 ft
525 ft
Intermediate
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The last stage is more than 50 kilometers and connects mostly flat paths Bad Bramstedt with Wedel. It is worth getting up early, because this route also offers all sorts of sights (for example the castle in Bad Bramstedt). At the destination in Wedel, the ship welcoming plant Willkomm-Höft awaits you as a highlight.
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View