Padborg brings together border history, hiking and motorsports as different focal points for a stay. Frøslevlejren tells the story of the camps, the Told- og Grænsemuseet spans a broad sweep of Danish border and customs history, and Frøslev Plantage offers a choice of marked trails. Motorsport enthusiasts will find another option at Padborg Park. First decide which topics matter to you; this makes it easier to match your accommodation and travel arrangements to your planned itinerary.

Border history from different perspectives

Through objects and personal stories of individual fates, the Frøslevlejrens Museum tells the story of Frøslevlejren from 1944 to 1945 and Faarhuslejren from 1945 to 1949. The exhibition is spread across three buildings. A public guided tour follows the prisoners’ route and presents the stories at the places where they unfolded. Check the current tour dates and times before your trip.

There are also several exhibitions in the barracks at Frøslevlejren. Their timeline stretches from the German occupation during the Second World War to the present day. The Told- og Grænsemuseet, by contrast, focuses on 1,000 years of Danish border and customs history. Topics covered include the ox trade, plough tax, smuggled goods and cross-border trade. Daily guided tours provide a more in-depth introduction; check the current tour times before travelling.

The Gendarmstien runs directly in front of the Told- og Grænsemuseet at Oldemorstoft. Oldemorstoft has been known since the 15th century and has served over the course of history as an inn, a royal hostel and the residence of the county governor. Here, a historic site and a museum of border history meet a section of the long-distance hiking trail.

Trails through Frøslev Plantage and the border region

In Frøslev Plantage, dune landscapes with grass and heather alternate with coniferous and deciduous forests of different ages and types, firebreaks and small wetlands. The plantation also provides a habitat for red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, foxes, badgers and hares. For a hike, you can choose from three marked trails with clearly stated lengths: Frøslevlejren rundt is 2.2 kilometres long, Sandgårdturen is 3.7 kilometres, and the Frøslev-Lyngpolde-Tour is 5.5 kilometres. This lets you compare the routes according to the distance you want to cover.

The Gendarmstien starts at the Danish-German border near Padborg and runs through Southern Jutland to Skovby on Als. Along the way, it passes through forests, marshes and meadows. On 5 May 2015, it was certified as a “Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe”, making it Denmark’s first European quality hiking trail. The Told- og Grænsemuseet is also a natural starting point for hikes along the local section of the Hærvejen. The Hærvejsrute runs directly through Frøslevlejren and the distinctive dune landscape of Frøslev Plantage.

Getting there and other interests

Frøslev Plantage is about three kilometres from Padborg railway station. Bus route 661 stops at Frøslevlejren, but only on school days. If you plan to travel by bus, check the current timetable before setting out.

Padborg Park offers a different kind of visit: its race track is 2,150 metres long and the second longest in Denmark. Visitors can drive a sports car themselves or experience the ride in a car driven by an instructor. Check the availability of these experiences before planning your booking. If culture and hiking are your main priorities, you can treat motorsports as a separate activity.

Discover more destinations: Aabenraa, Varnæs, Tinglev, Hellevad, Søttrup, Rødekro, Bylderup-Bov, Bajstrup.

For the broader travel overview: Aabenraa Municipality.