Aarhus Bay is my daily paddling water. This is where I have paddled the most over the years.

The bay is fantastic for both day trips and is also the perfect size for a weekend trip. Depending on how close to the coast you paddle and where you choose to cross, the trip is 45–55 km. See more under overnight trips.

As a day trip, there are many places to start all the way around the bay at various marinas and beaches. You are welcome to send me an email if you want my help designing the perfect trip.

Take a paddle through Aarhus Ø and experience the new district from the waterside

Aarhus By

The area, which was formerly an industrial port, has since 2007 been transformed into a modern residential and marina environment with distinctive architecture and life along the quays.

Aarhus Ø is an artificially created island, which today houses around 6,000 residents and Denmark's tallest residential building, the Lighthouse, which, at 142 meters, dominates the city skyline. Canals run between the buildings, providing unique opportunities to paddle up close to the architecture and experience the district from a different perspective.

Paddle through Aarhus city

From the marina, you paddle through the canal towards Dokk1 – the city’s modern culture and media center, which opened in 2015 and is now one of Northern Europe’s largest libraries. From here, you can make a short transfer and continue directly up Aarhus Å.

When you paddle up the canal, you move into the heart of the city. You glide past cafés, restaurants and the big shopping mall Magasin, while city life unfolds along the banks. Aarhus Å was reopened in 2008 as part of the city’s urban renewal and has since been a popular and atmospheric area — both on foot and from the water.

The trip can be continued much further than many people think. It is possible to paddle all the way up to Brabrand Lake and the rowing stadium, where the city is gradually replaced by greener surroundings and quieter stretches.

At low tide, at the wind farm, you may risk having to carry the kayak across the road or jump into the water and pull the kayak over the elevation that can be found under the bridge.

Distance from the inner harbor/Søsporten (round trip):
• Dokk1: approx. 3 km
• Magasin: approx. 4 km
• Mølleparken: approx. 5 km
• Brabrand rowing stadium/club: approx. 20 km