Three different distance figures come together near Astrup: about 20 km on the section of the Danish Monastery Route between Astrup and Skørping, 3.2 km from Astrup Church to Langmose, and 8.6 km for the circular walk around Madum Sø in the surrounding area. They show different ways to explore the landscape on foot: a longer route between two places, a section starting from the church, or a loop around the lake. The church’s architecture and the distinctive landscape of bogs and lakes add to the experience.
Hiking the Danish Monastery Route
From Astrup Church, the Danish Monastery Route initially follows cycle route 27, the Bælum Route. It passes through Elsehøj Plantation and near Langmose. The distance from Astrup Church to Langmose is given as 3.2 km; the approximately 20 km, by contrast, refers to the Astrup–Skørping section. These figures therefore do not describe the same route unit. If hiking is your main focus, this distinction can help you plan the distance you want to cover.
Langmose is one of the few remaining raised bogs in Denmark. The name therefore refers not only to a point along the route description, but also to a distinctive type of landscape. The combination of the Monastery Route, plantation and raised bog gives hiking here a clear connection to the area’s cultural and natural history. When choosing a path on site, it is advisable to check the signs, as trail conditions and markings can change.
Madum Sø: Circular trail, bathing spot and plant life
The 8.6 km circular trail around Madum Sø runs in the area around Astrup and is marked with blue triangles. The lake is considered a popular inland bathing spot. Bathing conditions can vary seasonally, so it is worth taking them into account before planning a swim. There is also a large car park by the lake with a view of the water; a marked path leads from there around the lake.
The water quality also makes Madum Sø a distinctive natural feature: the water is unusually clear and low in nutrients. The lake is a Lobelia lake, where the two-flowered water lobelia grows. A visit can therefore appeal to different interests: a marked circular trail, the opportunity to swim and an unusual plant species. Your choice may depend on whether you mainly want to hike, swim or focus on the lake’s natural history.
Astrup Church and local history
Astrup Church is an early Renaissance church with Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. Its octagonal tower houses two bells. The tower is a striking architectural detail, while the different stylistic elements offer a concrete reason not to reduce the building’s history to a single period. For travellers interested in church architecture, Astrup is therefore a cultural destination in its own right, alongside the hiking trails.
The history of settlement is also clearly set out: Astrup is described in Hindsted Herred as a torp, or outlying settlement, dating from the expansion period between 1100 and 1300. This historical context complements the church with another way of understanding the place. Architecture and settlement patterns tell different parts of the story and can be considered as separate points of interest during a stay.
The landscape around Astrup
In the area around Astrup, Astrup Nørskov features a series of parallel, elongated terminal moraine hills. This is a geological aspect of the landscape, distinct from the themes of bogs and lakes. Rold Skov, also in the area, is part of the Natura 2000 site “Rold Skov, Lindenborg Ådal and Madum Sø”. Together with Langmose and Madum Sø, this gives you a picture of nature made up of different landscape types and protected-area designations, without having to combine them into a single route.
North of Astrup, a minor road branches off Route 519 in the direction of Hellum. Check the signs on site if this information is relevant to your journey. When planning your stay, you can choose to focus on cultural history, hiking routes or nature, and match each distance figure to the specific section or circular trail it describes.
Discover more destinations: Glenstrup, Ajstrup, Øster Hurup, Helberskov, Mariager, Hobro, Hadsund, Rold.
Back to the main travel overview: Mariagerfjord Municipality.
