Secret neighbors

It turns out I have neighbors at my shelter! One of the smaller shelters with an open door has been taken over by a pair of swallows. They are flying back and forth. It’s nice to watch them. At least there’s some life because I’m feeling quite down today.

The last day is a gift

But that quickly fades when, after a long delay, I am back on the road, because this last day on the Hærvejen is truly a gift. The route is so beautiful that I actually don’t want to keep walking and keep stopping to take it all in. The dune landscape is absolutely stunning and the sun… there’s sun! It’s dry, the wind is moderate, and I even get warm at times as I climb up a dune through the loose sand.

On the narrow paths with Wheelie

Characteristic are the narrow paths, which Wheelie can actually pass through without any problems. Something that people often can’t believe, but that cart is not three meters wide, I assure you! I walk from one beautiful path to another, from one phenomenal view to the next. What a beautiful end to this route, with a long stretch along the beach as the cherry on top.

Like an arrow over the sandy beach to the endpoint

Due to the heavy rain, the sand is hard and walks almost like asphalt. Since I also have to cross a few streams, I even go barefoot instead of just in my barefoot shoes. And when I finally arrive in the harbor town of Hirtshals, where I will camp, this trek comes to an end. I have logged 682 kilometers. Including my detour to the Vejle fjord, my wandering kilometers, and all the diversions to supermarkets and shelters. Officially, the Hærvejen from Padborg to Hirtshals, the western route, is 512 kilometers.

That is worth celebrating

This finish that is not a finish is worth celebrating. Here, I toast with a glass of red wine, and tomorrow is a rest day before I take the ferry to Norwegian Larvik. There, I want to walk the Tunsbergleden, a famous pilgrimage route along the west side of the Oslofjord, totaling 190 kilometers. The trail starts in Larvik and ends at the Haslum Church in Bærum, west of Oslo.

Another beautiful new prospect. And… the weather forecasts are good. Could it be?

Overnight stay: Hirtshals