Salt-tolerant thrift grows in the coastal marsh by Spøttrup Strand; there is also a small bathing beach, coastal paths and the mouth of Spøttrup Bæk. Hou Tjørnen adds a historical connection to the coastal landscape. The paths differ in route, length and surface—useful features when choosing excursions to suit specific interests. Salt-tolerant means that the thrift can withstand salty site conditions.

Beach and access points

Spøttrup Strand is a small bathing beach close to the village. An oak grove reaches the edge of the beach, and a path through the small woodland leads to a beach with a bathing jetty. There is parking opposite Hou Maritime Efterskole and a path to Spøttrup Strand. From Hov Harbour, an 800-metre-long path also runs along the beach to the protected area by Spøttrup Strand. This describes both access to the beach and a precisely measured stretch along the coast.

Coastal paths and bathing water

The Kyststien coastal path runs from the harbour to Egmont Højskolen. It has a firm surface and is suitable for wheelchair users. The Kyststien ved Hou crosses Spøttrup Bæk. For planning purposes, the paths provide different points of reference: for Kyststien, the route, surface and wheelchair suitability are described; for the path from Hov Harbour, the distance to the protected area is given.

The small Spøttrup Bæk flows into the sea at the beach; its mouth is clearly defined and lies between two groynes. According to Odder Municipality’s 2023 bathing water profile, bathing water measurements show that the mouth does not affect the bathing water quality at the beach. Bathing conditions can change, so it is worth checking the current situation before planning a particular day for swimming. All bathing beaches in Odder Municipality have the highest bathing water rating of three stars.

Hou Tjørnen and coastal history

Hou Tjørnen can be visited at its location. Hou Tjørnen is probably older than the town, which was founded in 1849. For many years, Hou Tjørnen stood alone on a hill and served as a sea mark for people passing along the coast by Hov. This connects its possible history with a specific former function: Hou Tjørnen served as a landmark for people on the coast.

Spøttrup in the Hou and surrounding area

The Hou and surrounding area, which also includes Spøttrup, has forests and beaches, as well as a marina and a commercial harbour with ferry connections to Samsø and Tunø. This regional perspective complements the local beach and path features with a wider coastal area. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on Spøttrup’s features or include Hou and the surrounding area as well.

Discover more destinations: Amstrup, Hundslund, Dyngby, Hov, Rude, Sondrup Strand, Torup, Saksild

Go to the main travel overview: Odder Municipality.