Thy National Park: Denmark’s wild west coast

Wild nature, shining lighthouses, small fishing villages, kilometres of sandy beaches and heathland can be found in Denmark’s oldest national park: Thy National Park on the west coast of Jutland. Find out here why a holiday is definitely worthwhile and what makes the national park so special.

Where is Thy National Park located?

Thy National Park is located on the west coast of Jutland in Denmark and stretches over a total of 244 ^km2, from the southern part of Agger Tange to the northernmost point in Hanstholm. Denmark’s oldest national park was established in 2007 and is a popular holiday destination for nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who longs for wild nature and tranquillity.

Activities and sights in Thy National Park

Thy National Park Centre

The National Park Centre in Nr. Vorupør is built right into the dune landscape and is worth a visit for its unique design alone. The centre also provides information about Thy National Park. In the 300 ^km2 exhibition room you can find out about the special landscape and also about possible activities.

Admission is free, but you have the option of making a voluntary donation, which goes directly towards the preservation and maintenance of the national park.

The 3 most beautiful beaches in Thy National Park

In Thy National Park you will find kilometres of beaches along the coast – perfect for anyone who wants to walk, swim, surf or just take a deep breath. These three beaches are among the most beautiful and are worth a visit at any time of year:

Stenbjerg Strand

• Historic boathouses
• Beautiful dune and heathland landscape
• Peace and relaxation

Nr. Vorupør Beach

• Sheltered bathing area, perfect for families with children
• Cafés and toilets nearby
• Colourful fishing boats
• Denmark’s first bathing ramp, with wheelchair access to the sea

Klitmøller beach

• A surfer’s paradise
• Fine sand and plenty of wind
• Many cafés and places to eat nearby

Lighthouse: Lodbjerg Fyr

The “Lodbjerg Fyr” lighthouse is located in the south of the national park, surrounded by forest and dunes. The 35 metre high lighthouse is a popular excursion destination and a good starting point for hikes through the dunes and along the 10 metre high coastal cliff of Lodbjerg.

There is a cosy café at the lighthouse and an exhibition about the lighthouse keeper’s duties – you should definitely plan some time for a visit!

Historic fishing village: Stenbjerg Landingsplads

White huts and colourful boats – that’s the landing place in Stenbjerg. Here you can discover history and enjoy the charm of the small fishing village. The former lifeboat station now houses a museum where you can see an old lifeboat and other sea rescue exhibits.

Even though the town itself is very small and manageable, the evening can be rounded off wonderfully with a sunset on the expansive beach or a hike through the dunes.

Cold Hawaii: Klitmøller

Known as the “Cold Hawaii” of Denmark, the town of Klitmøller in the north of Thy National Park attracts many surfers from all over the world every year. Klitmøller offers the best surfing conditions all year round, and in summer the small town is teeming with people. The many small cafés and shops give the whole place a particularly cosy flair and you could easily forget that you are in Denmark.

Bird sanctuary: Agger Tange

Thy National Park is home to many animals and plants, including seals, deer and birds. The Agger Tange bird sanctuary is on the route of many migratory birds and offers the perfect opportunity to observe a wide variety of birds.

You can also hike, cycle or walk your dog on the Agger Tange headland – a special destination for all nature lovers. However, you should note that access to some areas is partially or even completely prohibited to protect the animals.

Hiking routes

Thy National Park has over 200 kilometres of marked hiking trails through dunes, forests, heathland and along the wild coast. Popular routes include the paths around Lodbjerg Fyr, Stenbjerg and Nors Sø. Here you will find hiking routes of any length, for every fitness level, and you can even plan tours lasting several days with overnight stays in shelters. You can of course find information on suitable routes online or at the Thy National Park Centre.

Cycling and MTB routes

In Thy National Park, you will find numerous cycle and mountain bike routes that take you along the west coast, through dense forests and wild dune landscapes.

The popular West Coast Cycle Route takes you over 50 kilometres through the vast nature of Thy National Park. From Agger Tange, via Nr. Vorupør, to Klitmøller, you have breathtaking views of the coast, dunes and the small surrounding fishing villages.

In the Tvorup, Vilsbøl and Klitmøller plantations, you will find moderate to difficult mountain bike routes that take you through narrow forest paths, hilly dune and heathland landscapes or single trails in beautiful pine forests.

Riding routes

The Thy riding route runs for around 100 kilometres from Lodbjerg lighthouse in the south to Tved Plantage in the north of the national park. Dune heath, pine forests, lakes and open coastal sections make the route a varied experience. Along the way, you will always find opportunities to take a break or stay overnight with your horse.

If you are not travelling with your own horse, there are many opportunities for guided riding tours through the beautiful landscape. Campsites such as Nystrup Camping in Klitmøller also offer various guided tours.

From 1 June to 31 August, riding on the beach is only permitted to a limited extent, with some exceptions on private beaches or more remote beaches that are outside the bathing area.

Shelter sites: Spending the night in nature

Shelter sites are simple, weather-protected places to spend the night in nature and offer a great alternative to a tent. At these sites, you will often also find a barbecue area with firewood, a simple toilet and sometimes even a water point to fill up your drinking water. You can usually only reach these places on foot or by bike, which means you often have nature all to yourself.

On the website of the Danish Nature Agency “Naturstyrelsen” you will find a map with an overview of the tent and shelter sites. You can reserve some sites in advance, which can be particularly helpful during the season. Shelters that are not occupied by 8 pm can be used freely – existing reservations expire at this time. The shelters are usually free of charge, but in some cases there may be a small charge for the reservation.

In Thy National Park you will also find a few very special shelters: In Agger there are 4 shelters that float on the water and in Lodbjerg there is a barrier-free shelter that you can also book via the Naturstyrelsen website.

Hanstholm Bunker Museum

At the northernmost edge of the national park you will find the Hanstholm Bunker Museum, where you can learn all about Europe’s largest fortifications and the history of the Second World War. On the large grounds, you can enter original bunkers or use one of the many walking trails to explore the museum grounds along the many bunkers.

Seasonal highlights

In Thy National Park, you will find various fascinating highlights throughout the year that make every season special. Seasonal natural phenomena and the right experiences for every time of year can be found here:

Spring (March – May)

• Return of migratory birds (e.g. cranes, lapwings, swallows)
• First blossoms on the heathland
• Wild animals are very active
• Pleasant weather for hiking

Summer (June – August)

• Swimming and surfing on the beaches
• Heather in full bloom
• Perfect for cycling, horse riding and overnight shelter holidays
• Large selection of guided tours and family offers

Autumn (September – November)

• Experience the red deer rut
• Migratory birds gather
• Beautiful colours in nature
• Amber hunting

Winter (December – February)

• Quiet landscape and clear air
• Discover wild animal tracks in the snow
• Winter hike along the coast
• Mystical atmosphere in the dunes

Weather in Thy National Park

In July and August, you have the best chance of many hours of sunshine in Thy National Park, and the usually pleasant temperatures between 15-22 degrees are perfect for excursions into nature. However, you should always be prepared for wind and rapid changes in the weather on the coast, so don’t forget your rain jacket in case of an emergency, even in summer! It rarely gets really hot in Thy National Park.

Thy National Park: travelling and accommodation

The best way to get to Thy National Park is by car, so you remain flexible and can easily reach the various locations. Travelling by motorhome is also worthwhile, as the national park offers some beautiful campsites.

If you don’t want to travel by car, you can fly to Aalborg and drive to the national park from there in a hire car in around 1.5 hours. However, there is no direct flight to Aalborg from Germany.

You can also find holiday homes here in all sizes and variations, perfect for a relaxing holiday in the dunes and by the sea, or as a nice starting point for your active holiday in Thy National Park.