Follow the iconic daisy signs for a scenic Danish road trip
With Denmark’s borders opening up to vaccinated travelers, it’s time to consider this small but mighty little Scandinavian country for your next trip. While you should always come to Copenhagen, she said, there is so much more to see outside the cute capital. Wondering where else to go? What better place to get some space than exploring outside the more crowded cities and into the Danish countryside. Consider a drive along the Margueritruten, or Marguerite Route, to tour some of Denmark’s most scenic back roads.
MARGUERITRUTEN WAS NAMED FOR THE NATIONAL FLOWER OF DENMARK
The path was ceremoniously opened in 1991 by the reigning Queen Margrethe II herself and wend through 3600 kilometers along smaller Danish tracks and back roads. Developed by the Danish Tourism Council at the time, it was intended to share more of the country’s natural attractions, historic places, plus culturally significant sites.
In 2008, management of the Marguerite Route was given to the Dansk Friluftsrådet or Outdoor Council. Today, the route you can ride now connects and incorporates a plethora of outdoor facilities for hiking and biking, offering a total of 4,218 kilometers for those who might follow the entire thing. Look for small square brown signs with the iconic white daisy when you’re out and about. Turn right! Turn left! Follow it that direction for a new Danish destination you didn’t even know that you needed to see.
DID YOU KNOW? Queen Margrethe II was named after her grandmother Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden. When she was born, the Danish princess was quickly nicknamed “Daisy,” as her given name sounded like the Marguerite Daisies prevalent in Scandinavia. The name stuck and the floral image is now emblematic of the popular Danish queen. The Marguerite Daisy is the National Flower of Denmark.
WHERE TO FIND THE ROUTE MAP
At present, individual municipalities are responsible for maintaining the darling daisy signage along the length of the route. You can pick a starting point anywhere in Denmark and just follow the flowers for an idyllic day out. Or if you are a planner and want to plot out your journey, you can download the entire map’s GPS to use with the Google Earth app on your phone or plug it into your navigation device.
Head to The Danish Nature Agency to find and download it. There are easy-to-follow directions online for those who feel less tech-savvy. Or explore the incredible interactive map at Udinaturen (Out in Nature) and click on Margueritruten from the key on the right. Choose from the many other map options to find playgrounds for your little people or places where your dog can come along for the day. Infinitely customizable for whatever your crew likes to do – you can track down picnic spots, campsites, and plenty of pretty places to hike.
SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS AROUND THE ROUTE
The Marguerite Route is divided into eight sections that take you through Zealand, Møn, Falster, Lolland, Ærø, Funen, and Jutland, and never will you traverse the same road twice. It only follows the motorway once across the Store Bælt or Great Belt Bridge so that cyclists can join the daisy journey everywhere but there. Designed to share Danish delights and tourist sites both large and small, the path highlights major attractions like Thy National Park, Wadden Sea National Park and Mols Bjerge National Park all in Jutland.
On the eastern side of Denmark, wind through little roads to the impressive chalk cliffs at Stevns Klint, across the gorgeous Queen Alexandrine’s Bridge, and on to the island of Møns and Møns Klint. Or discover some adorable small Danish villages like Praestø, or Nysted on Lolland; Faaborg and Kerteminde on Fyn; or Grenaa, Ebeltoft and Ribe in Jutland.
With so much see and so many options to see it, add a little daisy chain adventure to your Scandinavian exploring this summer.
Tree-lined road outside Roskilde 
Queen Alexandrine Bridge to Møn 
Men by the Sea sculpture in Esbjerg
This post was originally published in The International, an English language newspaper and website dedicated to helping foreigners assimilate and live their best life in Denmark. Live here? Pick up a copy locally or read online here.
