137 kilometers of coastline give Syddjurs Municipality a broad geographical setting. The landscapes of Mols Bjerge National Park add to this: open beaches shaped by Ice Age glaciers, heathland and dry grasslands, as well as old deciduous forests. The hills reach heights of up to 137 meters and provide the setting for hikes and viewpoints. Those who enjoy discovering nature and culture together will also find a rich cultural heritage in the national park, with burial mounds, dolmens and a castle ruin.

Trails through landscape and history

The Mols Bjerge Trail is designed for longer hikes: the 80-kilometer trail is divided into four daily stages and passes natural and cultural-historical sights along the way. The Kløversti in Ebeltoft offers a different scale. Its four routes total 27 kilometers and run around the town and through the surrounding countryside. These details show the different lengths of the trails without prescribing a set itinerary for your visit.

For a shorter, more focused glimpse into the past, follow the 4.5-kilometer Oldtidsstien. It runs through the northwestern part of Ringelmose Forest and starts and ends at Bregnet Church. Along the way, you pass a long barrow, six dolmens, several burial mounds, a ford and a sacred spring. The route connects the landscape with visible traces of earlier history.

Mols Bjerge National Park also has 35 shorter routes through areas of interesting scenery, each returning to its starting point and parking area. For hikers, bus route 123 can help with the return journey to the starting point; check the current timetable before travelling. This makes longer stages, shorter routes and historical discoveries different ways to explore the area.

Cycling, coast and water

Mols Bjerge National Park offers an extensive network of routes for cycling. Gravel paths pass through natural areas, while quieter roads run along the coast and through small villages. The Helgenæs Route is about 20 kilometers long and follows small, low-traffic asphalt roads. Its varied terrain includes both flat stretches and climbs.

There are also a variety of experiences on the water. In summer, the national park offers guided snorkeling tours at designated coastal locations. Many stretches of the coast around Syddjursland have calm, nearshore waters that are well suited to kayaking; there are also overnight stays for kayakers along the coast. The snorkeling tours are explicitly seasonal, while the kayaking information describes conditions along many coastal stretches.

Castles, ships and glass art

The ruins of Kalø Castle can be reached via Denmark’s oldest medieval road. Erik Menved had the castle built in 1313. There is a staircase with a viewing platform at the ruins. You can explore the history here through the date of construction, the road and the surviving structure, while the view from the platform offers another perspective on your visit.

In Ebeltoft, the frigate Jylland tells its own story: today, the world’s longest wooden ship is a museum exploring its transformation from warship to royal ship. Glass offers a different way to experience culture at Glas – Museet for glaskunst, with modern international glass art. Alongside the active glass workshop, there is also a creative workshop for visitors. The Museum Østjylland in Ebeltoft Town Hall also has exhibitions and activities for adults and children that are open year-round.

Museum Østjylland is represented in Syddjurs Municipality by three historic buildings: Farvergården, Det gamle Rådhus and Skatkammer Siam. All three museums offer free admission. The Renaissance-style Rosenholm Castle, dating from 1559, and its castle park offer insights into the life of an aristocratic family in historic Denmark. In Ebeltoft, Maltfabrikken brings together art and creativity, knowledge and wildness, food, music and community: it is both a meeting place and a retreat.

Nature, knowledge and local experiences

Those who want to get to know nature and culture better can explore the visitor center at Øvre Strandkær, which focuses on the area’s plants, animals and geology. Besøgscentret ved Jagtens Hus is open to everyone interested in outdoor life, hunting and nature; its exhibition covers ecosystems, wildlife and the development of hunting in Denmark. There are hiking trails on the grounds of the Molslaboratoriet. Karpenhøj Nature Center adds to these discoveries with a wilderness brunch as a visitor experience. Together, these places offer different ways to explore the area: through landscape, knowledge, activity and food.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Esby, Begtrup, Boeslum, Dejret, Dråby, Ebdrup, Ebeltoft, Egsmark Strand, Femmøller, Fuglslev, Fuglsø, Handrup, Kolind, Lyngsbæk, Rønde, Skovgårde, Thorsager, Vrinners, Øerne, Elsegårde, Holme, Stødov, Ahl, Hornslet, Strands, Fejrup, Bogens, Stubbe, Ugelbølle, Knebel, Skødshoved Strand, Følle, Kongsgårde, Ryomgård, Balle and Mørke.

Go to the main travel overview: Central Jutland.