Als on the Kattegat: Coast, Trails and Maritime History

Als is located on the Kattegat on a hilly island surrounded by flat land. Anyone wishing to combine coast, landscape and maritime history in Als will find the Nordsøstien, the Als Havbakker, Malolorca and Als Church. The location on the Kattegat is evident both along the coastal Nordsøstien and at the higher points of Als.

Hills and trails around Als

At 28 metres above sea level, Ravnbjerg is the highest point of Als. At 28 metres, Ravnbjerg is higher than the more than 23 metres reached by the Als Havbakker. You can walk through the Als Havbakker in beautiful surroundings; the elevations give the terrain an upward slope. For a walk by the water, the pier in Als is an inviting option. At the Als Havbakker, the path runs through the elevations; at the pier, it runs by the water. The two areas therefore already differ in their terrain and in the type of walk they offer.

Exploring the Nordsøstien

Between Øster Hurup and Als, the Nordsøstien runs very close to the coast and offers beautiful views of the Kattegat. From Als, the trail leads through the fjord landscape to Hadsund and continues southwards through Kastbjerg Ådal. For a day of hiking, the trail can begin in Als along the coastal section and continue via Hadsund towards Kastbjerg Ådal. The route thus changes from the coastal Kattegat to the fjord landscape and then into the southern valley area of Kastbjerg Ådal.

Malolorca and the shallow wading route

Malolorca is the local, unofficial name of a 1,400-metre-long beach island off Als. Malolorca can be reached by wading 700 metres through very shallow water. The approach leads from Als via Vestvejen towards Helberskov. For this destination, the 700-metre wade forms a separate section of the access route and should be taken into account when planning the route.

Church, cemetery and maritime past

Als Church was built between 1250 and 1275 in the late Romanesque style. The tower and porch were added later in the late Gothic period. The two construction phases are therefore separated in time and form part of the church’s history. The village of Als can trace its history back to the Stone Age. The cemetery at Als Church contains old iron crosses, with white seashells lying at their bases; this is considered a local maritime burial custom. Als Church also served as a sea mark for shipping for centuries. Those interested in culture will encounter both the building history and the historical connection to shipping at Als Church.

Local specialities

Als Bageri is a local artisan bakery whose history can be traced back to 1927. The local delicacy “Mariagerfjord marcipan ål” is also recommended for tasting. Als Bageri and “Mariagerfjord marcipan ål” are among the culinary specialities of Als.

Other places for orientation

Other places useful for orientation include Hadsund, Hobro, Glenstrup, Ajstrup, Øster Hurup, Mariager, Helberskov and Astrup.

For the higher-level travel overview: Mariagerfjord Municipality.