Hærvejen Hub, Bække

Welcome to Bække – a hub on the Ancient Road (Hærvejen) for both hikers and cyclists. And welcome to one of the most authentic places along the route. The landscape with the watershed and large moorland areas surrounding Bække tells us that the original Ancient Road passed straight through the town – just as it does today.

At the Hærvejen hub in Bække, you will find:

Resting spots:

• Hærvejshuset (the Hærvej House) – a small community house along the Ancient Road. You are very welcome to step inside and take a break. Pick up a key fob at the local "Brugsen" supermarket. Learn more about what you can do at Hærvejshuset here.
  • Picnic hut – located about 50 m on the other side of the large parking area. Look towards the trees to the west.
  • Sun loungers under shady trees – rest your legs and relax here.
  • A little further south along Søndergade, past the church, you’ll find Bække Park with a covered picnic table and a bonfire area. It is about 400 m away.

Shopping:

• Brugsen supermarket is located right across from the Hærvejen hub – open daily. You can also buy a hot cup of coffee/tea/cocoa here.
• Heading south, your next shopping opportunity is in Vejen, where you’ll find several supermarkets. Northbound, there are limited options near the route at Bindeballe Købmandsgård (soda, ice cream etc.) and Ødsted Brugs (near Vingsted – a bit off the route).

Facilities:

• Hærvejshuset is also used by local associations – get a glimpse of everyday life along Hærvejen. Just step in, even if others are there. There's often coffee and a chance for a good chat. Before you leave, we’d love for you to sign the guestbook. If no one's there – you're still welcome. Pick up a key fob at Brugsen and return it when you leave. You can enjoy your packed lunch indoors, rest, view the Hærvejen exhibition, and more.
• Toilets: inside Hærvejshuset, in Brugsen, at Bække Church (east side of the cemetery), and during summer at Bække Park.
• Water: available at Hærvejshuset on the wall facing the asphalt area and inside Hærvejshuset, at the cemetery at Bække Church, and in Brugsen.
• Shower: available at Hærvejshuset.
• Bins: both outside and inside Hærvejshuset.
• Bike station: at Hærvejshuset facing Vestergade. Read more about the bike station here.
• Charging options for phones: inside Hærvejshuset.
• Wi-Fi code: displayed inside near the screen.
• "Self-help box" and first aid kit: on the bottom shelf of the counter inside for simple gear repairs.
• Parking: 4 free spaces with no time limit available below Hærvejshuset and the local archive (Bække Veerst Lokalarkiv).
• Printed info materials about Bække: inside Hærvejshuset and in the brochure holder at eye level on the wall just inside the first sliding door of Brugsen. Mostly in Danish.

Accommodation:

• All types of accommodation in Bække and along the route to the north and south can be found here.  (in Danish)

Food and catering:

• All food options in Bække and along the route north and south can be found here.  (in Danish)

Hærvejen Culture:
Bække and the Ancient Road are inseparably linked. The surrounding landscape reveals that the road passed right through the village. So when you walk through Bække, you are exactly on the original Hærvej stretch.
Bække lies on the watershed – the divide where water runs either east or west. In ancient times, this made it the ideal route – fewer streams to cross. And that was a hassle back then. Pour out a huge bucket of water in Bække, and it will flow via five different streams to both the east and west coasts of Jutland! So when you pass Bække Church, think about how many others have walked here before you – for over 1,000 years.
Bække’s central location on Hærvejen means you’ll also find strong cultural ties and stories related to Hærvejen here today.

• Hærvejen passport stamp: found near the church – go to the red brick building just south of the church’s parking area. The stamp is mounted on the wall there. Learn more here.
  • Cultural experiences, art, and nature in Bække and on nearby route sections can be found [here].
  • Audio stories – introduction and link coming soon.

Onward journey:

• To Vejen: 12.5 km
• To Bindeballe: 17.8 km

Public transport:

• Bus stops for routes 111 (Vejle–Bække–Vejen) and 179 (Vejen–Grindsted):
o To Vejle/north – outside Nørregade 12 (look for the pub)
o To Vejen/south – outside Nørregade 3, between Skolegade and Baunevej
o Check bus schedules via Sydtrafik here.
• Flex transport: must be booked in advance. Pickup at Hærvejen hub, Vestergade 2, 6622 Bække.
• Vejen Train Station – train connections to Esbjerg, Kolding, Aarhus, Padborg, and Copenhagen. See rejseplanen.dk.
• Bække Taxi – must be booked in advance.