This section was designed specifically for the NST.
The first 119 kilometers of the Nord Süd Trail are not part of an official hiking route and therefore are not consistently marked. To reach the trailhead on Sylt, take bus lines 1 or 5 from Westerland to the “Weststrand” stop. From there, you can reach the northernmost point of Germany either via a paved road or directly along the beach.
Since January 2025, there has been an official trailhead for the NST at the northernmost point – complete with signage approved by the relevant authorities. You can find a blog post about it here.

From the trailhead to Morsum train station, there is no fixed route. Whether you prefer hiking along the west or east coast of the island is entirely up to you. So far, Sylt does not have any officially marked hiking trails – although we’ve been told that may change in the future. Perhaps there will even be a collaboration with local authorities to establish a permanent route for the NST.
Until then, it’s all about freestyle. Enjoy the beginning of your incredible journey – and the beautiful island of Sylt.

From Morsum station, the train takes you across the Hindenburgdamm to the mainland, arriving at Klanxbüll station. Unfortunately, it’s currently not possible to cross the Hindenburgdamm on foot.
From Klanxbüll, the next 8 kilometers unfortunately run mostly along a road. To avoid this “asphalt hell,” we decided in 2025 to reroute the Nord Süd Trail for a short stretch through Denmark, starting at Rosenkranz – following the Marskstien hiking trail. This not only makes the route more pleasant but also gives hikers the chance to use a beautifully located and fully legal trekking campsite. For those who want to start the trail at a slower pace, this is a perfect spot for an overnight stop.

Near the village of Aventoft, the trail reenters German territory and leads into a lovely forest section. The next town, Süderlügum, offers plenty of shopping opportunities and access to the trekking campsite at the Süderlügum Youth Forest Home – a near must-stop!
This idyllic site gives you a taste of what lies ahead on the trail through Schleswig-Holstein.

The next trekking campsite, “Schäferhaus,” is about 38 kilometers from here. If you feel up for the distance, we definitely recommend taking it on. On this stretch, the Nord Süd Trail mainly follows farm tracks and small paved cycle paths. In the first village, Ladelund, there’s a supermarket – perfect for grabbing some breakfast.
From there, the trail leads to the Ladelund concentration camp Memorial and Education Center – a place for reflection and remembrance of the victims.

„We all share the responsibility to ensure that misguided patriotism and abuse of power do not once again lead to exclusion and war. Fascism begins with indifference.“
– Hiking Hairs, Class of 2025

Shortly before reaching the Schäferhaus campsite, you’ll pass through the small village of Ellund. There’s a little kiosk here – ideal for one last water refill. The campsite itself is beautifully quiet, set next to a picturesque heathland – a perfect spot to relax and recharge.
From the campsite, the trail slowly leads you towards Flensburg and the official starting point of the European Long-Distance Trail E1. At the crossroads of Bauer Landstraße and Alter Kupfermühlen Weg, you’ll spot the first trail marker for the E1 – a special moment.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed the so-called North Sea–Baltic Sea Passage of the Nord Süd Trail.

Conclusion:
A successful start to the trail! On Sylt, you can fully enjoy the North Sea – as well as the impressive island landscape. Since most thru-hikers begin their journey in April, the island is still pleasantly quiet at that time and not overrun by tourists.
Once you reach the mainland, the asphalt sections do increase, but those who focus on the beautiful sights along the way will be rewarded with many special moments.