Cycling Stage Jels - Vojens (17 km)

Stursbøl Plantation
From Jels, the bicycle route follows woodland trails through Stursbøl Plantation. As the woods are on the top of the ridge, with few streams to cross, it is likely that this route has been used by travellers for thousands of years. The link to ancient times can clearly be seen by the 70 Bronze Age grave mounds which lie close to the Hærvej track. South of the woodland lies the old Hærvej inn in Stursbøl, which is today known as Café Ellegård. 

Afterwards, the route leads around the edges of Oksenvad Heath, and down to Slevad Bridge. There are clear tracks, showing that the crossing at Slevad and Oksenvad has been used for many years.

There is a signpost towards an Iron Age grave mound, which has been excavated and opened to the public, so visitors can see the double stone ring construction.

Vojens
Vojens has plenty of opportunities for shopping and to get the latest information on the region’s attractions and activities from the local tourist office. The town is known amongst other things for its speedway track, built by Ole Olsen, Denmark’s first speedway world champion. Vojens also has an excellent go-kart track, and skating rink, sports hall, swimming pool and leisure centre. In other words, there are plenty of fun things to do in Vojens before continuing along the Hærvej.

The Skrydstrup girl
If you pedal a little southwest of the bicycle route, you can find Denmark’s second oldest Bronze Age site, which was found during an excavation in 1993. The house may have been the home of the Skrydstrup girl. Southwest of Vojens, towards Over Jerstal is the grave mound where the Skrydstrup girl was found in 1935.

The grave contained the body of a girl of about 19 years of age, who was buried during the early Bronze Age, around 1300 BC. The find is exhibited in the National Museum in Copenhagen, but Haderslev Museum contains a replica of the Skrydstrup girl’s clothes. 

TO THE NEXT STAGE: VOJENS-RØDEKRO