Location: Grenaavej 12, 8410 Rønde, Central Jutland Map
Area: 180 sq km (69 sq mi)
Official site
Mols Bjerge National Park, Denmark's second national park, is a stunning expanse of rolling hills, ancient forests, and coastal landscapes nestled in the heart of the Djursland peninsula in Central Jutland. Spanning approximately 180 square kilometers (69 square miles), it encompasses the southern parts of the Djursland headland, bounded by the Kattegat Sea to the east, the Kaløskovene forests to the west, and a series of glacially carved inlets, coves, and plains to the south. The park includes the charming coastal town of Ebeltoft and several villages, blending wild natural beauty with human settlements and summer house areas. Established under Executive Order 789 on August 21, 2009, and officially inaugurated by Queen Margrethe II on August 29 of the same year, the park was announced by Environment Minister Troels Lund Poulsen on January 17, 2008, to protect and unify fragmented natural and cultural sites in the region. Unlike traditional fenced reserves, the park has no physical boundaries—its edges are marked by a symbolic green line on maps—allowing seamless integration with surrounding farmlands and communities. Open year-round with no entrance fee, it welcomes visitors to immerse themselves in a landscape shaped by the Ice Age, where ice and water have sculpted dramatic peaks, deep glacial pits, and diverse habitats over millions of years.
The defining character of Mols Bjerge lies in its varied and
undulating topography, often described as one of Denmark's most
"mountainous" regions despite the country's generally flat terrain.
The park's elevations peak at 137 meters (449 feet) in the Mols
Hills, a 2,500-hectare core area of open heathland and rolling
moorlands that evoke a sense of wild, untamed wilderness. This
landscape, formed at the end of the last Ice Age around 15,000 years
ago, features a mosaic of habitats: dense woodlands covering about
20% of the area, open grasslands and pastures, peat bogs, wild
meadows, coastal dunes, and even stretches of the Kattegat Sea
itself. The southern edges give way to moraine plains dotted with
glacial erratics—massive boulders transported by ancient ice
sheets—while the eastern coast boasts rugged cliffs, stony reefs,
and kelp forests visible just offshore.
Nearly 33% of the park
remains under cultivation, with 80% of the hill areas privately
owned, creating a harmonious blend of protected wilderness and
working farmland. Key geological highlights include Jernhatten, a
dramatic coastal headland with panoramic sea views, and Begtrup Vig,
a sheltered bay designated as a Natura 2000 site for its pristine
coastal ecosystems. The park's proximity to the sea influences its
microclimates, fostering misty mornings over heathlands and brisk
winds along the shore, making it a dynamic environment that changes
with the seasons—from vibrant wildflower blooms in summer to
frost-kissed heaths in winter.
Mols Bjerge is a biodiversity hotspot, harboring more than half of
Denmark's wild plant species across its 40 conservation-worthy
habitat types, including rare coastal heaths, beach meadows, and
salt marshes. The flora is particularly diverse in the open
heathlands, where pasque flowers (Pulsatilla vernalis) carpet the
ground in spring, alongside catchfly, cudweed, and a variety of
orchids. Ancient oak woodlands like Skovbjerg support epiphytic
lichens and mosses, while coastal areas feature salt-tolerant
grasses and sea thrift. Threatened fungi species, some endemic to
the park, thrive in the damp bogs and forest floors.
The fauna is
equally rich, with mammals such as roe deer (with densities up to 20
per square kilometer in Skovbjerg), red foxes, hares, and badgers
roaming the hills. Reptiles include the rare sand lizard and the
venomous (but non-aggressive) European adder, often spotted basking
on sunny slopes. Birdlife is a major draw, with over 200 species
recorded: waders and sea birds along the coast, forest dwellers like
woodpeckers in the plantations, and birds of prey such as buzzards
and kestrels soaring overhead. Inland wetlands like Stubbe Sø
attract migratory flocks, viewable from dedicated bird towers.
Insects, including rare butterflies and beetles, add to the
ecological tapestry, supported by the park's mosaic of open and
wooded areas. Livestock like beef cattle, sheep, and horses graze
selectively to maintain habitats, preventing overgrowth and
promoting wildflower diversity.
Conservation efforts emphasize
habitat restoration and species protection, with much of the park
overlapping Natura 2000 designations. Moderate grazing in woodlands
like Skovbjerg mimics natural processes, while ongoing monitoring
targets vulnerable ecosystems against climate change and invasive
species.
Layered with human history spanning millennia, Mols Bjerge serves as
an open-air museum of Denmark's past. Prehistoric sites abound,
including Stone Age granite barrows, dolmens, and passage graves
from the Neolithic era, as well as the Bronze Age burial mound of
Stabelhøje, one of the largest in Scandinavia and still unexcavated.
The 14th-century ruins of Kalø Castle, perched on a tiny artificial
island in the bay, stand as a medieval fortress built by King Erik
Menved; accessible via a 500-meter cobblestone causeway, it offers
evocative views and tales of royal intrigue.
Later landmarks
include the 18th-century Kalø Gods manor, now a state-owned
environmental education center, and the Jagtslottet hunting lodge
(designed in 1898 by architect Hack Kampmann), which houses the
park's secretariat. The Ørnbjerg water mill, operational since the
16th century with 19th-century buildings, demonstrates traditional
milling techniques. Remnants of 19th-century wartime
defenses—trenches and bunkers from the 1801–1814 conflicts—dot the
landscape, while Tolløkke Wood near Ebeltoft hosts local folklore
festivals. The park's cultural fabric also weaves in modern
elements, like Ebeltoft's cobblestoned streets lined with
hollyhocks, evoking a timeless Danish idyll. This blend of nature
and heritage underscores the park's role in preserving Denmark's
layered identity.
Mols Bjerge offers endless ways to engage with its wonders, from
gentle strolls to adventurous pursuits. Hiking and cycling trails
crisscross the park, with over 10 notable routes on AllTrails,
ranging from easy 5-km loops around Stubbe Sø to challenging 20-km
treks through the Mols Hills. The Jernhatten trail culminates in
cliff-top vistas and snorkeling spots amid kelp forests and
cold-water reefs, ideal for marine exploration. Birdwatching
hotspots like Hestehave Wood and Ahl Plantation draw ornithologists,
while Begtrup Vig provides calm waters for windsurfing, kayaking,
and safe snorkeling.
Cultural activities include guided tours of
Kalø Castle ruins, Viking-themed hikes uncovering Bronze Age mounds
at Tustrup, and amber-hunting expeditions along the beaches. For a
hands-on experience, try the "hunter for a day" program or kayak
courses. Forested areas like Bjørnkær-Egedal and Strandkær offer
shaded walks, and the Ørnbjerg mill provides demonstrations of
historical crafts. In summer, cultural tours explore Poskær Stenhus,
a quirky Renaissance-style folly. Sailing and fishing are popular on
the Kattegat, with Ebeltoft serving as a launch point for boat
trips.
Access is straightforward via car (parking at trailheads) or public transport to Ebeltoft, with bike rentals available in town. Visitor centers like Nedre Strandkær (research-focused) and Karlsladen (at Kalø estate, in a restored 18th-century barn) offer maps, exhibits, and info. The park's management, overseen by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency, promotes sustainable tourism—stick to trails to protect fragile heaths, and respect private lands. For inspiration, follow #NationalParkMolsBjerge on Instagram or use the interactive GeoGuide app for navigation. As a living ecosystem, Mols Bjerge invites mindful exploration, ensuring its Ice Age legacy endures for future generations.