Udbyhøj brings together beaches, fjord nature and trails at the mouth of Randers Fjord. Udbyhøj Marina lies at the mouth of the fjord and is part of Randers Fjord Nature Park. Swimming, hiking and nature watching offer different ways to enjoy a stay; the village’s history and ferry service are also specific topics that can help you get to know the area.

Beach and fjord nature

Udbyhøj Beach is a family-friendly beach with fine sand and is suitable for swimming. Several national cycling and hiking trails run nearby, as does the international North Sea Trail – Nordsøstien. This means that a beach visit and cycling or hiking routes are different interests to enjoy in the same area.

Another side of the fjord’s natural environment can be seen in the shallow waters north of Udbyhøj Marina. They are very important for resting and breeding birds; seals are often easy to spot there. Unlike swimming, the focus here is on wildlife, specifically in these shallow waters north of the marina.

Trails on different scales

The “Stierne ved Udbyhøj N, Pumpehuset” route starts at the harbour and heads south along Udbyhøj Beach to the pumping station on Randers Fjord. It is part of the 32 km long “Randers Fjord Stien” long-distance hiking trail. The 3 km green route at “Stierne ved Udbyhøj Nord” runs from the harbour along the dikes to the shelter site at Fjordcentret and back via Udbyhøj By. The routes therefore differ in scale: the green route has a stated length of 3 km, while the route to the pumping station is part of the 32 km long long-distance hiking trail.

Village history and ferry service

Udbyhøj is a village around 400 years old that developed around the historic ferry crossing at the mouth of Randers Fjord. The Udbyhøj cable ferry connects the harbours of Udbyhøj Nord and Udbyhøj Syd and crosses the mouth of the fjord. The historic ferry crossing is part of the village’s origins; today’s cable ferry provides passage between the two harbours. If you are planning to cross, check the timetable in advance.

Fortification and Kanonbåden

Udbyhøj Skanse is a so-called star-shaped fortification. If, in addition to the beach and nature, you are also interested in fortifications, this offers another specific topic to explore in the area.

Kanonbåden in Udbyhøj Nord is a mobile information platform on the water that provides information about Randers Fjord Nature Park. When it was introduced, visitors could look across the fjord from the upper deck with binoculars and learn about the nature park. Information about the nature park and views across the fjord are distinctive aspects of Kanonbåden, alongside the trails and wildlife watching on land.

Discover more destinations: Allingåbro, Anholt, Ramten, Nimtofte, Ørsted, Bønnerup Strand, Glesborg, Grenå.

For the overview of the wider area: Norddjurs Municipality.