From Sønderhav to Brunsnæs
The second stage of the Gendarmstien leads from Sønderhav to Brunsnæs – around 20 kilometres, most of which run right along the beach. There are repeated options to detour inland, for example through Kelstrup forest or past old carp pond dams, but we almost always stuck to the original route. Even though it was muddy at times, being so close to the sea more than made up for it.
Map overview and GPX track of the Gendarmstien brick stage
Across bridges to Egernsund
A first little adventure awaited us in Gråsten. There we crossed the Egernsund on a lifting bridge. After a few steps along the water, a spiral staircase led up onto the bridge, and on the other side we climbed back down. Right on the corner we discovered a small snack bar, where we refuelled with a portion of chips.
Once in Egernsund, we strolled along the harbour, past the church and the “Minde” marina. The name recalls the former brickworks that once shaped life here – which brings us to the theme of this stage.
Brick history on the coast
The route is nicknamed the “brick stage” because here you come across the traces of numerous brickworks that shaped life on the coast for centuries. To be honest, we didn’t notice all that much of it – apart, of course, from the houses built of red brick. Only at the Cathrinesminde brickworks museum did we realise how important this industry was for the region.
Shelter site with company
Our stage ended just before Brunsnæs, at a free shelter and tent site right on the water. It was quite busy there: paddlers had taken the tent pitches, and a few Germans had set up their huge tent in front of the shelter. They had been there since Saturday and were having a little party. Fortunately they were really friendly and made room for us and a cyclist, so we all found a place in the shelter.
The whole thing did seem a bit chaotic – so much so that I didn’t even take a photo of the site – but encounters like these are simply part of a hike like the Gendarmstien.
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