Discover Starup

Starup combines natural and church-related attractions with several options for planning your trip. The Camino Haderslev Næs passes through fields and forests; Starup Hede is used for walks and offers views across the Haderslev Fjord. Starup Church adds architectural history, a runestone and archaeological finds. If you are looking for a hotel in Starup, these highlights can help you decide whether to focus particularly on hiking routes, walks or the history of the area.

The Camino Haderslev Næs: total route and stage

The Camino Haderslev Næs is a 106-kilometre hiking route between nine churches. The second stage runs from Hertug Hans Church to Starup Church and is 3 kilometres long. The two figures describe different sections: the full route and a single stage with named endpoints. This makes it possible to distinguish the length of a planned section from the length of the entire Camino.

The Camino is marked with wooden posts bearing the route logo, as well as small signs with the logo and arrows. The route follows gravel roads, country roads and cycle paths. It passes through fields and forests and offers views of hills and water. Along with the distance in kilometres, the types of paths and landscapes provide further points of reference for planning and help you assess the character of the route.

Starup Hede: walks and archaeological traces

Starup Hede is a point of interest both for walks and for the Camino: the hiking route crosses the heath, which is used for walking, including walks with dogs. From there, you can enjoy views across the Haderslev Fjord. This allows you to distinguish between the course of a longer hiking route and a walk on the heath when planning your trip.

The history of the heath also reaches back to the early Middle Ages. Five archaeological excavations uncovered traces of houses and craft activities dating, for example, from around 1000 to 1300. These include evidence of smithing, bronze casting and bone working. The finds therefore include evidence of both habitation and various craft activities; the period places them in an era long before Starup Church was built.

Starup Church and its architectural history

Starup Church dates from the late 11th century. During its restoration from 1908 to 1918, the side aisles were rebuilt and the original arcades were opened. Its medieval origins and a much later chapter in its architectural history can therefore be considered side by side. The restoration can be described specifically in terms of the side aisles and arcades, without conflating the two periods.

In front of Starup Church stands a runestone bearing the inscription “airiks kubl”, read as “Eriks minde” (Erik’s memorial). Built of calcareous tufa, Starup Church has three naves and is located on the Haderslev Fjord. The rectory stands at the end of an avenue; there is also a boat club on the fjord. These individual architectural and local points of interest add further aspects of the area to the picture of the church.

A mountain bike loop through Starup

Another route option is the 56.5-kilometre Hejsager–Sønderballe–Haderslev–Starup–Hejsager mountain bike loop, which passes through Starup. Compared with the 3-kilometre second stage of the Camino, it is a considerably longer loop; the two routes also differ in their respective activities and formats. Check the route details before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Haderslev, Kelstrup, Stenderup, Flovt Beach, Råde, Flovt, Hejsager, Bevtoft

Return to the main travel overview: Haderslev Municipality.