What to Do In The Mols Bjerge National Park

Panoramic views over a bright blue bay and a hilly interior where traces of the last Ice Age are still clearly visible. You'll find it all at the Danish Mols Bjerge National Park. It's a beautiful stop during your road trip through Denmark, but also a great destination for a multi-day hiking trip. On the Danish Mols Bjerge Trail, you will spend four days on foot traversing this enchanting landscape.

Mols Bjerge Nationaal Park

Mols Bjerge National Park is located in the east of Jutland, the mainland of Denmark. The park covers an area of about 180 square kilometers and stretches across the regions of Syddjurs and Norddjurs, east of the city of Aarhus. The park was formed eighteen thousand years ago by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Here you will find rolling hills, valleys, and gorges shaped by ice and a fantastic coastline. You can also find shelter under ancient oaks or in open plains covered with heather, ideal for a picnic.

What to Do in Mols Bjerge National Park

Hiking and Biking

The Mols Bjerge Trail is the park's showpiece. This 80 km long hiking trail takes you right through the park. But even for those who prefer a day of hiking or just a few hours, the park is a paradise. More information about all the routes can be found at the visitor center in Rønde. Prefer biking? There are also various marked routes for cyclists, from paved bike paths to the most beautiful off-road MTB routes. Especially in the Søndre Plantage near the village of Ebeltoft is good for mountain biking.

Bird Watching

For bird lovers, Mols Bjerge is also fantastic. You'll find a rich variety of birds, including seabirds, birds that hide in the forest, and birds of prey that ride the winds above the hills. There are several lookout points in the park designated for bird spotting. So, be sure to bring your binoculars, even if you're not good at recognizing different species.

On the Water

Because the park is located along the coast, there are plenty of opportunities in and on the water. On a beautiful day, it's great to sunbathe on the beach and in between, there are enough options to take a refreshing dip. Additionally, in the park, you can also snorkel, sail, kitesurf, and fish!

Fuglsø Strand is excellent for snorkelers, where you can also rent equipment. Surfers will find the best spots on the beaches in the south of the park, such as at Ahl Hage on Vibæk Beach and Kalø Vig. A sailing trip can be booked, for instance, in the town of Ebeltoft.

A truly cool experience is a multi-day trip along the coast in a kayak. Together with the Syddjurs municipality, the national park has opened up a number of camping sites, ranging from primitive spots and shelters to real campgrounds. Signs with a kayak on them help you find your way.

Horse Riding

Besides cycling and hiking trails, there are also trails for horses. This makes it a wonderful place for a ride through the forests and over the beaches. Around and within the park, there are various stables that organize outdoor rides.

Cultural and Historical Sites

The Mols Bjerge National Park is not only a haven for natural beauty but also a treasure trove of cultural and historical significance. As you explore the trails, you'll encounter various sites that tell the story of the region's past. One such site is the Poskær Stenhus, one of Denmark's largest and oldest preserved stone burial chambers, dating back to the Neolithic era. Another significant historical landmark is the ruins of Kalø Castle, a medieval castle that offers a glimpse into the feudal period and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. These sites provide a unique opportunity to combine physical activity with educational enrichment, making your visit both informative and invigorating.

Guided Tours and Educational Programs

For those looking to deepen their understanding of the park’s diverse ecosystems and history, Mols Bjerge National Park offers a variety of guided tours and educational programs. These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who can provide insightful commentary on the flora and fauna, as well as the geological and historical aspects of the park. Additionally, the visitor center offers workshops and activities for children and families, making it an excellent option for educational trips. These programs not only enhance the visitor experience but also promote environmental awareness and conservation.

The Mols Bjerge Trail

I visited the park for the multi-day Mols Bjerge Trail. This is an 80-kilometer long hiking route along the beautiful coastline with light-colored beaches and panoramic views over the water. The rest of the route goes through the ancient landscape.

The trail consists of four stages:

The Kalø Stage

• Length: about 20 kilometers
• Time: about 6 hours
• Difficulty: medium

The Mountain Stage

• Length: about 19.5 km
• Time: about 7 hours
• Difficulty: medium

The Ebeltoft Stage

• Length: about 22 km
• Time: about 6 hours
• Difficulty: easy

The Gåsehage Stage

• Length: about 22.4 kilometers
• Time: about 5.5 hours
• Difficulty: easy to medium

During the Kalø stage, you also get a taste of the landscape, and you pass through the idyllic Femmøller with its many old watermills. The mountain stage takes you over steep paths right from the start, but you are rewarded with beautiful views. The Ebeltoft stage takes you through ancient forests and past the Ørnbjerg Mill. The Gåsehage stage winds along the fantastic coast.

You can find the official website here.

^{Foto links: Trehøje Mols door Jonas Togo, foto rechts: Kalø Castle door Ruslan Merzlyakov / Visit Denmark}

 

Culture along the Mols Bjerge Trail

Along the Mols Bjerge Trail, you can soak up the local culture and history. Various stages pass through the old town of Ebeltoft, with its timber-framed houses, cobblestone squares, and friendly residents. Here, you will also find the longest wooden warship, the Frigate Jylland, and the largest glass museum in Denmark. The ruin of Kalø Castle is also an attractive stopover. The ruin of the castle from 1313 has now been converted into a lookout tower, from which you can view the national park and the hiking trail.

^{Foto: Ebeltoft door Kim Wyon/Visit Denmark}

^{Foto: Ebeltoft haven door Sebastian Nils/Visit Aarhus}

A Leading Quality Trail

Less than a year after the launch of the Mols Bjerge Trail, the route was named a Leading Quality Trail of Europe. Across Europe, only twenty hiking trails meet the requirements set by this certification. The landscape must be attractive, the route must be well-marked, and visitors must be able to use sufficient accommodation and luggage transport along the route. Denmark now has two hiking trails that may bear this certification.

^{Foto: Irina Raiu/Flickr}

Practical information about the Mols Bjerge Trail

he 80-kilometer hiking route is typically divided by most hikers into four stages of about twenty kilometers each. You can make the stages as long as you want, depending on how you have planned your accommodations.

If you choose to stay in a shelter or a natural camping site, it is nice to carry your own luggage, but for more comfort, you can also have your suitcase transported by a luggage transport company. Overnight stays are also possible in one of the bed and breakfasts along the route.

Parking is best done in Rønde at the parking lot by Kalø Slotsruin. You could also skip the first stage and follow the routes that start and end in Ebeltoft. Parking can then be done at the parking lot opposite Femmøller Efterskole or that at Ebeltoft School.

All the information is available on the Official website of the hiking route. Want to keep an online travel journal during your hike about everything you experience? In the Travel Diaries App, you can easily keep track of all your stories!

Traveling in Denmark? Also read: What to do in Copenhagen in winter and summer!