Gendarmstien

Gendarmstien (Border Guard Trail) is an 84 km multi-day hiking route on the Danish-German border area in South Jutland, Denmark, following the old patrol corridor used to watch for smugglers.

The route runs from the Danish-German border near Padborg through Kollund, Gråsten, across Broagerland and Vemmingbund, past Dybbøl, and on to Sønderborg, Høruphav and Skovby on Als.

It’s officially split into five day-stages (Mountain, Brick, Crow, Beach, and Mill), with each stage designed as a distinct hiking day rather than relying on ad-hoc day breaks.

The trail is aimed at long-distance hiking and is connected to the European long-distance hiking network via E6 (and also linked with E1 segments in the region), so you’ll often encounter route infrastructure and signage that supports through-walking.

Route character shifts through the stages: much of the walk stays close to the coast, then alternates with forested sections and inland approaches around settlements, harbours, and beaches.

A key practical feature is that there are named places on/along the route (towns, coastal areas, and rest points) that make planning day-to-day walking straightforward when you’re using it as a through-hike.

For context and interpretation, the route follows historical border patrol paths used around the Danish-German border after reunification in 1920, and many walkers tie breaks along the way to the Danish-South Jutland history around Dybbøl and nearby sites.

More information: Wikipedia, The Gendarme Trail (Gendarmstien) - Brian Outdoors, Gendarmstien Express Trek – 5 Days in Denmark