Cycling Stage Kliplev - Padborg (The Border to Germany) (16 km)

The route from Kliplev to Padborg is a very historical part of the Hærvej. You will see the last of the Hærvej’s old bridges at Gejlå, from 1818. If you enjoy museums, then you will enjoy this part of the route as Frøslev Camp contains a number of different museums to suit every taste.
Gejlå Bridge
From Kliplev, the journey goes south past Kliplev Søndermark and Vilsbæk Mark down to the Gejlå River. Just in front of Bommerlund Plantation is Gejlå Bridge, which consists of two stone arches, and was built in 1818. The stones are mortared together, unlike the older Povls Bro (see section Rødekro - Kliplev). A ford was once located here across the river and the flat stones can still be seen under the bridge.

Bommerlund Plantage
200 m south of the bridge was an inn, Bommerlund Kro, although only a marker stone remains today. After this, you continue along the Hærvej through Bommerlund Plantation, where there are a number of stones with inscriptions. They are not rune stones!

Slightly south of Gejlå is the old shire border, and a marker stone can still be seen on the old road for Vis Herred (Wies 1778). Opposite is a way marker, showing the direction to Løgumkloster. 

The other stones in the plantation are road duty stones, which date from between 1770 and 1900, and are still in their original locations. In past centuries, road maintenance was the responsibility of farmers, who often lived a long way from the section of the road for which they were responsible. The stones showed which part of the road, each individual farm was required to keep in good order.

Frøslev Camp
When you come out of Bommerlund Plantation, the route turns west past Vejbæk, and then south again to Fårhus. Immediately afterwards, the bicycle route passes through the eastern part of Frøslev Plantation, where Frøslev Camp is located. Originally built in 1944 by the Germans, as a prison camp for Danish resistance people, the camp is one of the most well preserved in western Europe. 

Apart from Frøslev Camp Museum, a watch tower and prison barrack have been reconstructed, and there are a number of other exhibitions, including Civil Protection, Home Guard, Danish Nature Agency, UN Museum and the permanent exhibition of Amnesty International.

The area used to be a large, desolate sand and heath land, known as Frøslev Sand. It was reforested between 1883 and 1900 and has today become Frøslev Plantation. Reparations from the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 - 1871 are said to have paid for the planting. It is still possible to discover sand dunes in the plantation and there are many moist hollows, known as “klimper”. South of Frøslev Camp, a tree collection or arboretum was planted in Kådnermose in 1994. 

Padborg
Follow the bicycle route out of Frøslev Plantation and in to the border town of Padborg, where you can take a break. 

If you have planned to continue your journey over the border along the Ox Road (Oksevejen), you can stock up on provisions in Padborg.