Lohals is a small port town on Langeland with 446 inhabitants
(2020), located in Hou Parish. Lohals is located in Langeland
Municipality and belongs to the Region of Southern Denmark.
From Lohals there are almost 18 kilometers to Tranekær, just over 29
to Rudkøbing and almost 52 to Bagenkop. The town was previously
known as a ferry crossing town with routes to Korsør on Zealand and
Lundeborg on Funen. The city has been in decline since the 1990s,
but is now developing into a recreational area with holidaymakers,
cottages and marinas.
Lohals Havn is an old cargo ship and
fishing port, built in the late 1850s. The fishery almost completely
disappeared in the 1980s, but today Lohals has three commercial
fishermen. In 1970, the harbor got a berth and shortly afterwards a
mast and boat crane. In 1981, the new marina was inaugurated.
Lohal's lighthouse from 1893 is a 9 meter high angle lighthouse,
which was rebuilt in 1933. In 1975, the lighthouse was transferred
to remote control from the control station at Fornæs Lighthouse, 6
km northeast of Grenaa. Approx. 3 km northeast of the city is the
still functioning Hou Lighthouse from 1893.
After the harbor
was built, the population grew and in 1873 Hou Church on the
outskirts of Lohals was consecrated.
Lohals Havn (Harbor)
Lohals Havn serves as the heart of the
village, functioning as both a functional marina and a popular tourist
spot. Situated on Langeland's west coast about 6 km from the island's
northern tip, it provides panoramic views of the surrounding archipelago
and is a hub for boat traffic. The harbor has been renovated to include
modern amenities like sanitary facilities, cozy barbecue areas, an ice
cream shop, live music events in summer, and several dining options
including 3-4 sit-down restaurants, a pub, and fast-food spots. Visitors
can enjoy boat tours departing from here, watch vessels come and go, or
simply relax while savoring ice cream during beautiful sunsets. There's
also a small playground for children, restrooms, showers, and laundry
facilities, making it family-friendly and convenient for boaters on
vacation. The adjacent coastal paths offer opportunities for scenic
walks, such as a 12 km trail from Dageløkke to Lohals through farmland,
beaches, cliffs, and woods—described by visitors as "very beautiful"
with options to return by bus. With a Tripadvisor rating of 3.6/5 based
on 37 reviews, it's praised for its cute, atmospheric vibe but can feel
quiet outside peak season.
Lohals Lighthouse
Perched at the
edge of Lohals Havn, the Lohals Lighthouse (also known as Hou
Lighthouse) is an elegant white structure standing 8 meters tall. Built
in 1933, it replaced an earlier lighthouse from 1880 and was constructed
during a time when the harbor was a busy hub for cargo and passenger
ships, including the steamer 'Tranekær' that ferried tourists from
Copenhagen via Korsør. The lighthouse's flame height and classic design
make it a picturesque landmark, symbolizing the area's maritime
heritage. It's easily accessible from the harbor, offering visitors a
chance to admire its architecture up close while enjoying views of the
sea. Though not a major tourist draw with guided tours, it's a serene
spot for photography and reflection, especially at dusk when the light
plays over the water. Nearby, the harbor's history ties in, as the
lighthouse guided vessels during Langeland's busier shipping eras.
Heerwagen Ceramics
Heerwagen Ceramics is a must-visit for art
enthusiasts, located just a short walk from the harbor at Houvej 52.
This workshop and gallery is run by the ceramicist couple Karin and
Erling Heerwagen, whose handmade pieces—such as mugs, teapots, bowls,
egg cups, and sculptures—have gained national and international
recognition. Inspired by artists like Heerup, their work features
unique, whimsical designs that stand out from typical ceramics. The site
includes a modest workshop that opens into a shop selling affordable
items directly from the artists, who are known for their hospitality;
they often demonstrate their craft and engage in friendly conversations
with visitors. The real highlight is the expansive, 50-year-old garden
filled with rare trees (like chestnuts, silk firs, and figs) and dotted
with large, exciting ceramic sculptures, creating an immersive,
dreamlike outdoor gallery. Visitors describe it as an "enriching
experience for all senses," with singing birds, fragrant flowers, and
"aha" moments of creativity—perfect for inspiration in home decor or
gardening. With a perfect 5.0/5 rating on Tripadvisor from 9 reviews,
it's hailed as a non-touristy hidden gem offering originality and great
gift ideas.
Lohals Beach (Nordstrand/Strand)
Lohals Beach,
often referred to as Lohals Nordstrand or simply Lohals Strand, is a
spacious sandy coastline just north of the village, about 400-600 meters
from the harbor. This wild, natural beach is surrounded by coastal
forests and features crystal-clear waters, making it ideal for swimming,
paddling, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up
paddleboarding (SUP). It includes a bathing jetty for easy access to the
sea and is child-friendly with shallow areas, though it lacks extensive
amenities like lifeguards or rentals—emphasizing its uncrowded, tranquil
vibe even during peak season. The beach is perfect for sunbathing,
barbecues, or quiet moments, with opportunities to spot local wildlife
or enjoy sunsets. Nearby parking and a newsstand/café add convenience.
As part of Langeland's 152 km of coastline, it's praised for its clean,
scenic beauty and is a short walk through the village from camping sites
or the harbor.
The Lohals Route (Trail)
The Lohals Route is a
34.6 km circular cycling and hiking trail that showcases northern
Langeland's diverse landscapes, starting and ending in Lohals. With a
moderate elevation gain of 364 meters, it's suitable for most fitness
levels and typically takes several hours to complete. The route combines
open fields, beech forests, and coastal views, primarily on tarmac roads
with some gravel sections—making it accessible yet adventurous.
Highlights include passing by Lohals Havn (with its caravan site), the
scenic Skovhaven garden, and Snøde Hesselbjerg Strand beach. Dogs are
welcome on a leash, and the trail is open year-round, though spring and
summer offer the best weather for enjoying the blooming flora. It's
described as usually not too busy, providing a peaceful way to explore
the island's natural beauty. For hikers, shorter segments like the
coastal path near the harbor can be enjoyed independently.
In 1630, Lohals was declared a legal shipping place
for goods and persons. The agricultural products from the catchment
area were driven into the water in a horse-drawn carriage, where
they were loaded on a flat-bottomed barge, which was rowed out to
yachts and deck boats transporting the goods to the nearest larger
cities and to Germany, from where they took tar, salt and other
goods. back.
During the Napoleonic Wars, a gunboat station
was established in Lohals from 1807. After the end of the war in
1814, some of the soldiers settled in the area, and a new stand of
sailors and peasants arose.
The remains of the cannon boat
harbor bridges could still be used after the conclusion of the
peace. Gradually the port facility fell into disrepair and in 1860
the skippers and traders formed a joint stock company with the aim
of building a better port. In 1863, the new Lohals harbor with ship
bridge and pier to the north was inaugurated. By the early 1900s,
the city had developed into a smaller port city with streets, shops,
telegraph and telephone stations, seaside resorts, guest houses,
shops, fishermen, artisans, shipyards, and mission houses.
The wealthy tourists arrived via the railway to Korsør, from where a
ferry route to Lohals had been established in 1898.
Around
1914 there were approx. 15 ships and many commercial fishermen in
Lohals. During the interwar period, many cottages were built. In
1930, there were 57 resident fishing boats and the city's schooners
sailed good profits into domestic shipping with a few detours to
Germany and Sweden. Lohal's last cargo ship was sold in 1972.
During World War II, the city's development was hampered by the
fact that the Great Belt was mined and by the fact that
holidaymakers had been replaced with accommodation by German
soldiers.
The Lohals-Korsør ferry route was closed down at
the end of 1998.
In 2009, the Safari Museum in the old Hou
school was closed down, and the museum's fortune passed to Th. R.
Knudsen's Memorial Fund.
There has been a ferry connection from Lohals to Korsør from 1851 to
1998. From 1851 to 1862, the passengers were rowed out to the ferry
that sailed between Korsør and Rudkøbing. In 1898, SFDS took over
the Korsør-Lohals route, and from 1929, the car ferry S / S Tranekær
II was used. The route stopped on 10 April 1940 and reopened on 1
July 1947. From 1955, S / S Mjølner sailed two daily double trips.
From 1970, the newly built M / F "Lohals" Korsør-Lohals sails and
the route becomes an alternative to the Great Belt crossing. In 1979
M / S Langelandsbælt is inserted and in 1982 M / F Spodsbjerg sails
5 daily double trips. From 1992 to 1994, Dannebrog Rederi operated
the route with M / F Lundenborg. In 1996, the route was
re-established by DSB Rederi, which renamed the former ferry to M /
F Tranekær III, and the ferry route Lohals-Korsør was finally closed
at the end of 1998, after having had a tumultuous existence since
1991.
The passenger route Lohals-Lundeborg was established in
the spring of 1928 with a rebuilt fishing cutter, which carried 40
passengers. I de ca. two years sailing with the cutter, in the
season 4-5 daily trips were made to Lohals and return. 1931-32 the
route was sailed by M / S "Ivan". In 1932, the M / F "Lundeborg" was
deployed, which carried 10 cars and the crossing time was 40
minutes. The ferry stopped sailing in the winter of 1964/65, but
sailed again from June 1965 with summer sailing until 1969, when the
ferry from 1969 to 1974 sailed on the Svendborg-Drejø route, after
which it was sold for scrapping. In 1996, the passenger boat "Ingrid
Olivia" sailed a few weekly departures. From 2001 to 2006 M / S
"Habeleto" sailed Lohals-Lundeborg. In the summer of 2008, the
rebuilt cutter "Græsholm" with room for 36 passengers and bicycles,
had two weekly departures to Lundeborg.
From the summer of
2009, "Græsholm" only sails from Korsør to Lohals and back every
Tuesday and Thursday in July and August.
Lohals
has a marina which is visited by a number of tourists every summer,
just as the town's campsite is used during the tourist season.
By the harbor is the maritime culture house "Banjen", where in
the summer there are free concerts and dancing by the pier.
Lohals is surrounded by the forests Vestre Stigtehave and Øster
Stigtehave. On the outskirts of Vestre Stigtehave is the museum
Hollænderhus with exhibitions about the forests on Nordlangeland and
the island of Vresen.
Lohals is the northeastern starting
point for the more than 200 km long hiking trail Øhavsstien.