Padborg between Border History and Hiking Trails

Borderland, Forest and Marked Trails

Padborg combines Danish-German border history with forest landscapes and marked trails. If you would like to plan your trip around nature experiences, culture and active days, Frøslev Plantage offers particularly tangible orientation: dune landscapes with grass and heath meet coniferous and deciduous woodland stands of different ages and types, firebreaks and small wetlands. The plantation provides a habitat for red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, foxes, badgers and hares.

There are three marked trails for walks and hikes. Frøslevlejren rundt is 2.2 km long, the Frøslev-Lyngpolde Tour covers 5.5 km and the Sandgårdturen covers 3.7 km. The different lengths help you adjust your plans to the desired distance. Frøslev Plantage is about 3 km from Padborg railway station. Bus route 661 stops at Frøslevlejren and operates only on school days.

History at Its Places

Using objects and personal stories of individual fates in three exhibition buildings, the Frøslevlejrens Museum presents the history of Frøslevlejren from 1944–45 and Faarhuslejren from 1945–49. A public guided tour follows the prisoners’ route and conveys the true stories of individual fates at the places where they unfolded. The barracks at Frøslevlejren house several exhibitions on the history of the site, from the German occupation during the Second World War to the present day. Younger visitors and those who enjoy puzzles can also take part in a 35-minute puzzle activity in which participants try to escape from the camp commandant’s office.

The Told- og Grænsemuseet is dedicated to 1,000 years of Danish border and customs history, including the ox trade, plough tax, smuggled goods and cross-border trade. Guided tours are offered daily for visitors who would like an in-depth introduction to this history. The museum is also a natural starting point for hikes along the local section of Hærvejen.

The Gendarmstien runs directly in front of the Told- og Grænsemuseet at Oldemorstoft. Oldemorstoft has been known since the 15th century and has served throughout history as an inn, a royal lodging house and the seat of the county governor. The Gendarmstien begins at the Danish-German border near Padborg and runs through Southern Jutland to Skovby on Als. Along the way, it passes through forests, marshes and meadows. On 5 May 2015, it was certified as a “Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe”. The Hærvejsrute runs directly through Frøslevlejren and the characteristic dune landscape of Frøslev Plantage.

More Experiences in Padborg

Padborg Park has a 2,150-metre-long racetrack, making it Denmark’s second-longest racetrack. Visitors can choose whether to drive a sports car themselves or experience the ride in a car driven by an instructor. In the vicinity of Padborg, Bov Kirke is a wayside church. At the end of its chancel stand two memorial stones.

Other destinations on this overview are Søttrup, Aabenraa, Kravlund, Felsted, Bajstrup, Tinglev, Genner Strand and Bylderup-Bov.

For the higher-level travel overview: Aabenraa Municipality.