Discover Als: Coast, History and Trails

Als is situated on the Kattegat on a hilly island surrounded by flat land. This distinctive location combines coastal scenery, small hills, historical traces and paths through nature. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Als, you can therefore shape your stay around different travel interests: with walks by the water, hikes, local history or a trip to an unusual beach island.

Landscape between the Kattegat and the hills

A prominent landmark is Ravnbjerg. At 28 metres above sea level, it is the highest point in Als. The Als Havbakker also rise to more than 23 metres above sea level. You can go hiking in the Als Havbakker in beautiful surroundings. These elevations are not a mountainous landscape, but they give the flat surroundings their own contours and allow you to experience the transition between open land and coast.

For a walk, the pier in Als is a good option. If you would rather combine a longer route with a variety of landscapes, the North Sea Trail offers a suitable opportunity: between Øster Hurup and Als, the trail runs very close to the coast and offers beautiful views of the Kattegat. From Als, the North Sea Trail leads through the fjord landscape to Hadsund and continues southwards through Kastbjerg Ådal. Depending on how you wish to spend your day, you can focus on a short stay by the water or a more extensive hike.

Malolorca and special coastal experiences

An extraordinary discovery off Als is Malolorca. This is the local, unofficial name for 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 in the direction of Helberskov. This destination requires careful planning because the route to the beach island does not simply follow a coastal path, but leads through shallow water.

Church, cemetery and local history

Als Church provides a historical focal point. It was built between 1250 and 1275 in the late Romanesque style; the tower and porch were added later in the late Gothic period. For centuries, the church served as a sea mark for shipping. The cemetery contains old iron crosses with white seashells at their feet. This is considered a local maritime burial tradition and connects the history of the church with its location by the sea.

The village of Als itself also dates back a long way: its history can be traced back to the Stone Age. During a stay in Als, you can therefore plan not only landscapes and trails, but also include the historical development of the village in your discoveries. Als Church and its cemetery are independent points of interest for anyone interested in architectural history, shipping and local traditions.

Local flavours and choosing your accommodation

One of the local specialities is Als Bageri, an artisan bakery that has been in operation since 1927. The local delicacy “Mariagerfjord marcipan ål” is also recommended for tasting. Such stops add a culinary dimension to an active day on the coast. If you are travelling with different interests, this allows you to enjoy Als in a varied way without committing to just one type of holiday.

A holiday apartment in Als is particularly suitable for a travel plan in which you want to combine the trails, the coast, the history of the village and your own excursions. For days by the water, you can choose between the pier, the North Sea Trail and Malolorca; for cultural discoveries, Als Church, the cemetery and the village’s long history offer specific points of interest. When choosing your accommodation, consider which of these focal points should shape your trip, and plan Malolorca with its 700-metre wading route as a coastal experience in its own right.

Discover more places in the surrounding area

For further destinations, you can also explore Hadsund, Rold, Mariager, Glenstrup, Hobro, Astrup, Ajstrup and Helberskov.

To the overarching travel overview: Mariagerfjord Municipality.