Discover Havndal

Havndal is a former railway station town. Nature destinations and cultural history offer different ways to explore the area during your stay: on the eastern edge of town, Udbyover Sø can be seen from the school and the hall, while buildings and paths in the surrounding area offer further points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel in Havndal, these places can help you decide whether your trip should focus on the lake and landscape, walking paths or the history of the area.

Local History and Architectural Heritage

Havndal’s history is reflected both in its former role as a railway station town and in its buildings. Havndal is designated a cultural environment. Numerous buildings are considered worthy of preservation, both individually and in terms of their urban structure and layout. This gives the town a historical context that goes beyond individual sights.

Havndal Kirke is also part of this townscape: it was originally a chapel and was inaugurated as a church in 1930. Its new altar, created by the artist Erik Heide from Mors, depicts the empty tomb with Christ’s burial cloths. The town’s history thus encompasses both the development of the church and a distinctive work of art.

A runestone stands by Dalbyover Kirke in the surrounding area. It is about 1.5 metres high; its inscription is dated to the years 970 to 1020, or the late Viking Age. There is a public car park and a public toilet at the church. According to the current access information, the church is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm; access is also possible when the cemetery gardener is working, or by arrangement. As opening hours may change, it is advisable to check access times before your visit.

Lake, Paths and Landscape

Udbyover Sø is a specific point of interest on the eastern edge of town. A publicly accessible Madpakkehus is located north of Havndalhallen. You can eat food you have brought with you there and enjoy the view of the lake. The Søstien by the lake is a footpath; bicycles and horses are not allowed. If you are planning to spend time by the water, this distinction is useful: the path is intended for pedestrians, while Hadsundbanen offers a separate option for cycling and walking.

Hadsundbanen is a seven-kilometre combined cycling and walking path on the former railway line between Åmølle and Trudsholm by Mariager Fjord near Havndal. It is part of National Cycle Route 5 and the North Sea Trail. The route therefore combines use as a cycle path and footpath with a historic railway line. This sets it apart from the shorter walking paths in the surrounding area, though the distance alone does not indicate a specific walking or cycling time.

At Udbyhøj Nord, a green route is three kilometres long. It runs from the marina along the dikes to the shelter site and back via Udbyhøj. The shelter site has a shelter, tables, benches and a multi-stall toilet; water is available on the outside wall of the Fjordcentret. Also nearby, a four-kilometre starting section of the Randers Fjord Stien begins at Udbyhøj Lystbådehavn. The three- and four-kilometre options therefore have different described routes and starting points.

For a different combination of landscapes, the Ajstrup Bugt nature reserve has a marked five-kilometre route through heathland, grassland and woodland. Compared with the green route at Udbyhøj Nord, it is longer and explicitly passes through several types of landscape. This lets you compare the routes by length and the surroundings described, rather than choosing by name alone.

Historic Sites in the Surrounding Area

Lyshøj Mølle dates from 1894 and was originally operated as a cooperative mill. Every Thursday, volunteer millwrights work on its restoration and share their knowledge with anyone interested in following the process. As work dates may change, it is best to check in advance whether restoration work is taking place on the day you plan to visit. The mill project adds another theme to the churches and runestone: the preservation of a historic building and the practical work of restoration.

When choosing a stay in Havndal, you can consider a range of interests: the lake and footpath, signposted routes of varying lengths, and local and architectural history. As you plan, consider which of these topics you would like to explore further, and choose your hotel in Havndal according to the travel focus that suits you.

Discover more destinations: Fårup, Sødring, Gjerlev, Dagsvad, Randers, Binderup, Langå.

Return to the main travel overview: Randers Municipality.