Hirtshals-Tornby

Nordvestjylland

Hirtshals-Tornby

Join the 5-kilometer stage from the port town of Hirtshals to Tornby Klitplantage. Along the stage, you can experience the majestic coastline and inland dunes while following the path through the protected and preserved nature of Vestvendsyssel, which is rich in bird and plant life. Along the route, there is the opportunity to visit Hirtshals Lighthouse, the Hirtshals Bunker Museum, and Tornby Klitplantage.

Kilometers5.3 km

Estimated time1 hour

SurfaceNature trail, gravel roads and paved roads

DifficultyModerate

Hirtshals-Tornby

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Selected experiences on the stage

Hirtshals Lighthouse
Hirtshals lighthouse is situated on the top of Stenbjerg, 22 meters above sea level, and serves as the town's living landmark, having guided mariners for more than 150 years. The lighthouse was inaugurated in 1863 and stands as a symbol of the town's pride and maritime heritage. The lighthouse itself is 35 meters tall, and after climbing the 144 steps, you find yourself 57 meters above the sea level, where you can be captivated by the view over the North Sea and Skagerrak. In the engine room, you can delve into the lighthouse's fascinating history and see an exhibition of artifacts from a bygone era.

Lighthouse 2, 9850 Hirtshals

Hirtshals Bunker Museum
At Hirtshals Bunker Museum, you can explore one of Denmark's best-preserved German defense installations from World War II and see how German soldiers lived and worked. The area, which stretches over 450 x 750 meters, today serves as an open-air museum, and is unique because it is the closest you can get to a fully excavated bunker complex in Denmark. With 54 excavated bunkers out of a total of 70, as well as numerous cannon, mortar, and machine gun positions, it is a paradise for those interested in history. One of the bunkers houses an information exhibition that provides insight into the period.

You can visit the bunker museum all year round, day and night. During your walk among the bunkers, you will not only catch a glimpse of history but also of the area's magnificent nature and enjoy the sight of the town's landmark, Hirtshals Lighthouse. In the summer period, you can participate in guided tours around the Bunker Museum and get up close to both the bunkers and the history.

Vendsyssel Historical Museum, The Lighthouse 3, 9850 Hirtshals

Tornby Dune Plantation
Tornby Dune Plantation is situated right on the coast and is a high-lying, wind-exposed west coast plantation, where centuries of sand drift are clearly visible. Despite its size of just 548 hectares, the dune plantation is rich in varying nature: The hilly terrain offers deep and lush river valleys, and high vantage points with sea views.

With both hiking and biking trails, mountain bike tracks, horse riding routes, and a dog forest, you have ample opportunity to experience the dune plantation while actively engaging with nature. Not least, the plantation also hides a special gem: the Viking fortress Yxenborg, which is especially used for cultural events and role-playing games. You can also find 12 large mythological stones in Tornby Dune Plantation, which are associated with several stories; it is said that the Vikings hammered Scottish slaves' beards to the Slave Stone's holes with wedges, so the slaves were strapped while the Vikings moved around the area.

Tornby Dune Plantation, 9850 Hirtshals

Useful information

How do you get to and from the stage using public transportation?

You can find your way to the stage using public transportation by using Journey Planner and the Hærvej app. To get to the starting point of the stage, you should enter the destination 'Hirtshals Station' in the Journey Planner. Once you arrive, you can use the Hærvej app to find your way out to the Hærvej.