Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality: Fjord, Birdlife and Cultural Heritage

The Ringkøbing Fjord, extensive wetlands and a vibrant Viking history give Ringkøbing-Skjern Municipality a diverse character. During your stay, you can focus on birdwatching, paths through the landscape or culture. When choosing your accommodation, it helps to first consider which of these experiences you would like to include in your trip.

Fjord Landscapes and Bird Migration

The Ringkøbing Fjord covers about 300 km² and is shallow and brackish. Extensive salt meadows surround it, particularly around Tipperne and Værnengene. At Tipperne, shallow meadows, open landscapes and the fjord’s shallow waters form one of Europe’s most important areas for breeding meadow birds and migrating birds stopping to rest. During migration seasons, thousands of ducks, geese and waders stop there. Possible sightings also include harriers, marsh harriers and white-tailed eagles.

An open West Jutland landscape characterizes the region’s fjords. Tens of thousands of geese and ducks stop there in spring and autumn. Skjern Enge offers a different kind of wetland landscape: the area covers around 2,200 hectares around the Skjern Å, mostly meadows and wetlands. Birds found there include white-tailed eagles, spoonbills, kingfishers and great white egrets. The time of year is therefore especially worth considering if you want to plan your trip around birdwatching.

Heathland also adds its own distinctive character. Borris Hede covers 4,720 hectares and is Denmark’s largest contiguous heathland; it is home to numerous animal and plant species. Lønborg Hede is protected for its wild, unspoiled nature and is a destination for a day trip. The Skjern Å also offers opportunities for long walks, salmon fishing and canoeing.

Viking History, Lighthouse and Craftsmanship

At Bork Vikingehavn, you can explore Viking houses, a watermill, ships, a church and a sacrificial grove. Hands-on activities include writing runes, making a leather pouch and archery. The activity programme may vary by season. There are also ten living museums around the Ringkøbing Fjord, offering further insight into the region’s culture.

Lyngvig Fyr was built in 1906 and is the most recently built lighthouse on the west coast of Jutland. Climbing its 228 steps rewards you with views of the North Sea, the Ringkøbing Fjord and the surrounding dune landscape. The site includes a café and shop in Fyrmesterboligen, as well as a large nature playground. The café and shop may have seasonal opening hours; check the details before your visit.

At Stauning Whisky, tours take you through the production process—from grain processing to bottling and from malting to distillation. Tastings of the signature whiskies, including single malt and single rye, may be included as an optional extra. Every grain is malted on the malting floor using traditional methods. Before you travel, check whether tours and tastings are available during your visit.

Naturkraft combines a wind machine, the “Livets træ” exhibition and eight types of nature with explorations of the underwater world and a balance course. At Momhøje Plantage, a nature centre, playground and shelters add to the facilities; there are also disc golf, bridleways, mountain bike trails and additional hiking trails. Facilities and activities may change, so check what is currently available before your visit.

Exploring by Bike and on Foot

The municipality has six signposted cycle routes: two national, three regional and the local Fjorden Rundt cycle route. The national cycle route Danmark på Tværs (N4) is 310 kilometres long in total and runs from Søndervig in the west to Copenhagen in the east; 62 kilometres pass through the municipality. A signposted cycle route runs for 65 kilometres within the municipality, following minor municipal roads and cycle paths through coastal dune landscapes, flat terrain and areas rich in birdlife.

The Skjern Enge and Å cycle route is about 49 kilometres long. It runs on asphalt and gravel through flat terrain and is rated easy. As trail surfaces may change, check current conditions before setting out. The paths in Skjern Enge are suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs for a shorter walk. Facilities include toilets, fire pits, observation towers, fishing spots, a picnic shelter and a tent site.

A walk in Skjern Enge takes you across Kalvholm and over the Skjern Å on two hand-operated ferries; along the way, you can enjoy views of the river delta. Weather can affect conditions. To reach the walk, take bus route 69 from Skjern to Lønborg; from there, it is about five kilometres on foot. Check the timetable before travelling. Bagges Dæmning offers a different perspective on the landscape’s history: its remains are a reminder of a failed drainage project; today, there are two bridges and a cycle and footpath.

Discover more destinations: Nørre Lyngvig, Hovvig, Spjald, Muldbjerg, Dejbjerg, Stavning, Stadil, Skaven, Hemmet, Bork Havn, Årgab, Klegod, Bjerregård, Tarm, Tim, Skjern, Hvide Sande, Lem, Borris, Østerby, Videbæk Municipality, Kloster, Ringkøbing, Søndervig.

For the overview of the wider region: Central Jutland.