Discover the Islands

Several themes can help you plan a trip to the Islands: the Øer Stien runs through a former extraction area and varied landscapes; Øer Maritime Havn is defined by its lock; and the shallow coastal waters near Øer Maritime Ferieby and the Slusen are used by various groups of birds. If you are looking for a hotel on the Islands, you can start by considering which of these aspects you would like to shape your stay.

Hiking through a former extraction area

The Øer Stien runs through an area where sand, gravel, pebble gravel and stones were extracted from 1935 to 1974. Along the trail, old extraction pits are visible as elongated, parallel lakes, separated from one another by narrow strips of land. The shape of these lakes makes the area’s former use visible in the landscape.

The trail also passes through marshland, birch forest, beach and heathland. Alongside the visible traces of extraction, these different landscape types shape the character of the Øer Stien. For hiking enthusiasts, both the area’s history of use and the transitions between these landscapes are central features.

Harbour, lock and hikes

Øer Maritime Havn is the only harbour in Denmark that you reach through a lock. The harbour is also a good starting point for hikes through heathland, sandy terrain and small forests. The harbour therefore offers a distinctive maritime setting, while the surrounding landscapes provide opportunities for hiking.

The lock chamber measures 7 × 30 metres and is filled or emptied within minutes. As operating details may change, check them before your visit. Øer Havn was built in an artificial lake where raw materials were once extracted. The harbour’s history therefore also includes the lake’s former use.

Shallow coastal waters and bird migration

The shallow coastal waters near Øer Maritime Ferieby and the Slusen are used by seabirds, waders and migratory birds. Øer is considered a good place to observe bird migration. The birdlife therefore adds a seasonal nature theme to your travel plans.

Hiking and birdlife offer different focal points: the Øer Stien is about landscape types and their history of use, while the shallow coastal waters are about their seasonal use by birds. If you are looking for a nature- or hiking-focused visit, this distinction can help you tell the different themes on the Islands apart.

Architecture and older history

Øer Maritime Ferieby dates from 1988 and was designed by the architectural firm Friis & Moltke. The date and architectural attribution give the site a clear connection to more recent architectural history. Svarthøje offers a much older historical perspective.

The protected area at Svarthøje includes not only the previously protected Svarthøje, but also the remains of five ploughed-over burial mounds. Taken together, the previously protected Svarthøje and the remains of the five ploughed-over burial mounds are considered an important prehistoric monument from the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Thus, the historical themes range from the architecture of the late 20th century to prehistoric traces. The comparison reveals two distinct historical perspectives on the Islands.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Fuglslev, Knebel, Stubbe, Skødshoved Strand, Rønde, Lyngsbæk, Ugelbølle, Femmøller

Back to the main travel overview: Syddjurs Municipality.