Hadsund (Danish: [hæðˈsɔnˀ] ⓘ) is a town in the eastern part of Jutland with a population of 4,965 (1 January 2024; 5,394 incl.

The area has had human presence since at least the Iron Age, though the settlement of modern Hadsund, centred around the ferry connection across the fjord, is first mentioned in 1736.

The western part of the greater Hadsund area is home to the oldest still-existing windmill in northern Jutland, Havnø Mølle, which was built in 1842 and operated until approximately 1927.

The place name Hadsund was initially used to refer to the waters of the narrow strait of the Mariager Fjord were the town now lies.

The oldest written mentions of Hadsund come from the 15th century, when its name was recorded as Haddeswnth, Hadesundt, Haddersund, and Hadissunt.

The establishment of the settlement was tied Hadsund strait's use as a crossing point, though its growth may have relied on fishing prospects in the fjord.

[4] In 1769, Erik Pontoppidan recorded in Den Danske Atlas that the Dalsgaard estate, located just east of village, was using the crossing at Hadsund as a loading dock for its agricultural goods.

[9] Hadsund was officially founded on 1 December 1854 when it received trading post privileges (handelspladsprivilegier), though it was never granted market town rights.

In 1904, a railroad bridge spanning Mariager Fjord was constructed, creating easier access to the hinterland south of the inlet.

[11][12] The 1904 bridge across the fjord became an important connection for road traffic traveling between eastern Himmerland and Randers.

[13] By 1911, Hadsund had a school, church, railway connection, telephone exchange, pharmacy, postoffice, and water and electrical infrastructure.

[17] On 27 January 1937 a second referendum was held, this time suggesting that Hadsund municipality be formed by merging the two parishes.

The substantial growth which the town of Hadsund itself saw during the mid 20th century was not enough to offset the depopulation of the municipality's shrinking rural settlements.

[22] The city's center is the oldest part of Hadsund and surrounds the main street, Storegade (lit.

[24] Hadsund Butikscenter opened on 16 August 1975, partially housed in buildings formerly used as by Johan & Axel Hornbech's jam factory.

[1] The area developed around the original ferry crossing point of the fjord and lies immediately south of Hadsund bridge (about 250 meters).

[32] The north-western corner of the forest contains Lindhøj, the city's Iron Age burial mound which has been protected since 1937.

[5] A beech and deciduous forest called Thygeslund Skov is located on the western side of Hadsund.