National Parks in Denmark - Denmark - VisitDenmark: Official guide to Denmark from VisitDenmark with hotel links, map, visa, pictures, flag, Copenhagen info etc.

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National Parks in Denmark

Five Danish areas have been awarded national park status. The first, Thy National Park, was inaugurated in 2008 followed by Mols Bjerge National Park which opened in August 2009. The three remaining parks, Skjern Å, Wadden Sea and Kongernes Nordsjælland National Parks, are in the process of being established and are scheduled to open over the next few years. Already at present there are a number of exciting activities to delve into when visiting these three places.

What is a national park?
Access for all
A broad array of facilities
Thy National Park
Mols Bjerge National Park
Skjern Å National Park
The Wadden Sea National Park
Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park

What is a national park?

The national parks offer a combination of nature and culture, and in addition to the magnificent and distinctive nature, animals and plants characteristic of the individual areas, there are a well of inspiring outdoor activities and fantastic nature experiences for both children and adults. The area's attractions and local communities are also integrated and involved in the nature parks and contribute to the overall experience.

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Access for all

The national parks are open to everyone and you can travel by foot, bike, car or on horseback. There are no entrance fees and you are free to explore as long as you adhere to the rules and regulations set out for the Danish nature in general - this applies to public as well as privately owned land in the national parks. All national parks have boards and signs providing information about access rights and rules. Read more about visiting the national parks and download area maps from The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website (in Danish only).

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A broad array of facilities

All national parks have e.g. picnic areas and primitive campsites, walking and cycling paths and horse riding trails - some also have nature viewing and bird watching platforms. Moreover, special attention is paid to creating accessible areas for walking-impaired individuals.

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Thy National Park

Denmark's first and largest national park covering an area of 244 km2 of unspoilt and magnificent nature is situated on the west coast of the Jutland peninsula between the lighthouse of Hanstholm and the isthmus of Agger Tange.

Nature and wildlife

The area is shaped by centuries of sand migration and the large, remote and windswept coastal dune heaths are truly unique - not only in Denmark but also internationally. The coastal heath land alternates with tranquil dune plantations, and to the north - in Hanstholm Game Reserve - you find the two large fresh water lakes Nors Lake and Vandet Lake. These areas are home to both roe and red deer as well as some of Denmark's rarest breeding birds - e.g. the Eurasian golden plover and the wood sandpiper. To the south, the salt meadows near the isthmus of Agger Tange provide a resting and breeding place for many water birds. The dunes along the coast provide a nice shelter from the North Sea which can get rough at times but otherwise serves as a great place for a refreshing swim near one of the many excellent beaches.

Attractions and sights

In the small fishing villages of Nørre Vorupør and Stenbjerg Landingsplads (Stenbjerg Landing Place), you can still watch the fishermen haul their boats ashore after a day of fishing. In contrast to this, the large, modern industrial harbour in Hanstholm is home to mega cutters and ferry traffic to e.g. The Faroe Islands and Iceland.

The distinctive rescue stations are still located along the coast, e.g. in Agger, Nørre Vorupør and near Stenbjerg Landing Place, and the grey bunkers on the beach are remnants of Northern Europe’s largest fortifications from the Second World War. At MuseumsCenter Hanstholm, you can learn more about the fortification.

The North Sea Aquarium in Nørre Vorupør features rare and common species of North Sea fish caught by local fishermen. The national park's two lighthouses at Hanstholm and Lodbjerg offer beautiful views. And if you're on the look-out for authentic and unspoilt environments, Stenbjerg Landing Place and Klitmøller are the places to visit. Read more about sights and attractions on The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website.

Activities and the outdoors

A large number of sign-posted paths are provided for cyclists and ramblers, and there are dedicated routes for mountainbikers. You can also experience the national park on horseback if you rent an Icelandic horse.
Birders should bring their binoculars to the isthmus of Agger Tange where there is a large number of breeding and resting birds. In early spring you might be lucky enough to experience the dancing cranes from the bird watching platform in Tved dune plantation.

Klitmøller is known as one of Europe's best surfing spots, and golfers can look forward to a beautiful walk in the national park on Nordvestjysk (North West Jutland) Golf Club's course.

Nature and wildlife

Mols Bjerge National Park situated on the southern part of Djursland in Eastern Jutland is one of Denmark's most hilly and varied landscapes and it is home to many rare animal and plant species.

Further north are Langesø and Stubbe Lakes where the otter population has recovered and is now in a healthy state. The same applies to sea and fish eagles. To the west you find the salt marshes and forests of Kalø offering a fertile flora and fauna, e.g. rare insects in decaying trees. To the east is the Jernhatten (the Iron Helmet) ridge from which there is a wonderful view. Right in the centre of the park area are Mols Bjerge; heather-covered hills, natural forests and large pastures. At 137 meters above sea level, Agri Bavnehøj is the area's highest point. The coast boasts a number of very nice beaches.

Attractions and sights

The distinctive bronze age burial mounds are scattered throughout the landscape. Old villages and merchant towns, churches and manor houses bear witness to the area's development to present day. An example is Kalø Castle Ruin which are the ruins of a royal castle dating back to medieval times.

Ebeltoft is one of Denmark's small and cosy market towns but it boasts large attractions such as The Frigate "Jylland" and The Ebeltoft Glass Museum.

The area has always attracted many artists and artisans, and several have their own galleries or open workshops.

Activities and the outdoors

There are sign-posted cycle and walking routes throughout the national park. If you are up for a challenge, you should head for Mols Bjerge.

The coast offers many nice and child-friendly swimming beaches with shallow waters. Anglers will also have great opportunity to find a good spot. Read more about the outdoors and activities in the national park on The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website.

Nature and wildlife

The open river valley landscape, never-ending expanses and large heath areas are characteristic of the scenery. Thousands of breeding and resting birds live in the wet meadows and lakes, the otter population is healthy and the number of much-coveted Skjern Å salmon has also been restored.

On Borris Heath, Denmark's largest open stretch of heath, you can encounter large herds of roe deer and rare bird species such as the plover, the bittern and the hen harrier.

An interconnected network of walking and cycling paths makes it possible for you to navigate large parts of the future national park. This also means that in some places you can get close to the birds and other wildlife.

Attractions and sights

Every year, birders flock here to study the many bird species, the spoonbill is one of the area's most exciting breeding birds.

West Jutland's Ecomuseum is not one single museum but rather a group of museums and visitor attractions of which Bundsbæk Mølle (Bundsbæk Mill) and the iron age town of Dejbjerg Jernalder are situated in the future national park. An extensive network of paths that run past numerable activities and sights links the museums.

Activities and the outdoors

The Skjern Enge meadows have a large and well-developed path network suitable for walking, cycling or horseback riding. If you want to try your luck at angling, you might catch one of the popular Skjern Å salmon. You can also try your hand at canoeing on the Skjern Å river. Read more about the outdoors and activities in the national park on The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website.

Nature and wildlife

The area is characterised by the tidal waters. And the high dikes, which are constructed to offer protection against storm surges, boast magnificent and uninterrupted views of the Wadden Sea and the flat marsh land. The numerous sand dunes in the Wadden Sea are popular habitats for breeding seal colonies. The three Wadden Sea islands of Rømø, Fanø and Mandø are known for untouched nature, dunes and fantastic beaches.

The Wadden Sea is an Eldorado for birdwatchers as it is one of the world's most important breeding and resting places for millions of birds. Particularly in Tøndermarsken salt-marsh where every spring and autumn, you can experience thousands of starlings create fascinating patterns in the sky before settling for the night - this is the natural phenomenon called Black Sun.

At the Wadden Sea Centre near the village of Vester Vedsted, you can learn much more about the nature and culture of the marsh and you can join one of the centre's rangers for a tour of the marsh.

Attractions and sights

The future national park has many attractions of importance to the national cultural heritage, e.g. the Fisheries and Maritime Museum in Esbjerg and Denmark's oldest town Ribe which has a cathedral and pretty, old buildings. And at the islands of Rømø, Fanø and Mandø, you still sense the proud maritime traditions.

Activities and the outdoors

Other than bird watching, there are a host of other activities to try out in the Wadden Sea region, e.g. seal safaris or cycling, walking and horseback riding along sign-posted routes, or how about joining a ranger tour. Both Fanø and Rømø have wide and beautiful beaches and a lively beach life. Read more about the outdoors and activities in the national park on The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website

Nature and wildlife

Denmark's second biggest forest, Gribskov which has 200 year old oak trees and a rich animal and bird life is situated centrally in the future national park. There are a wealth of nice walking and cycling routes along sign-posted paths in the forest.

In addition, Denmark's two largest lakes, Esrum and Arresø Lakes are found in this area which is also traversed by several small streams. The northern coast which borders Kattegat has some amazing coastal stretches and great beaches.

Attractions and sights

The many castle and monastery ruins testify to the area's importance throughout history. There are castle ruins dating back to medieval times near e.g. Asserbo and Gurre, and by Esrum Lake you find the well-preserved remains of Esrum Monastery. Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, which is now home to The Museum of National History, and Fredensborg Palace used to be the kings' preferred residence during the hunting season.

Elsinore is home to Kronborg Castle and this is also where you find The Danish Maritime Museum. Another attraction based in town is The Technical Museum of Denmark.

Activities and the outdoors

The future national park has a tightly knit network of cycling paths and Gribskov forest offers a number of sign-posted walking routes. During autumn, the forest areas are excellent for mushroom hunting.

You can rent horses several different places if you fancy a horseback ride in the forest, and there are ample angling opportunities by the coast, in the lakes and by the streams.

Golfers have many courses to choose from, and the north coast features some great swimming beaches on the stretch between the holiday towns of Hornbæk and Liseleje. Read more about the outdoors and activities in the national parks on The Danish Forest and Nature Agency's website.