Scan Magazine, Issue 79, August 2015

Page 62

2_1_ScanMag_79_August_2015_Text.qxp_Scan Magazine 1 06/08/2015 16:46 Page 62

Scan Magazine | Special Theme | Top Experiences in Denmark: Festivals and Culture

Cycle through the Danish wilderness Thy National Park stretches along the coast of Northwest Jutland, covering 244 square kilometres of scenic landscape filled with unspoilt dunes, heath and small lakes, where the power of nature has formed some of Denmark’s most impressive wilderness. Home to red deers, cranes and otters, Thy has a lot to offer – and there is no better way to explore it than by bike. Text: Caroline Edwards | Photos: Thy National Park

“Bicycling is a fantastic way of getting around, allowing you to put all your senses to good use. You can smell the flowers, hear the bird song, feel the wind on your face. Sometimes you can even jump off the bike and wander off to take a closer look at the things catching your interest,” explains Else Østergaard Andersen, Head of Thy National Park. After six years of living in the area, she still hasn’t seen everything the nature has to offer, there is simply too much. One can easily follow the numerous cycle paths around the park for days on end, surrounded by

62 | Issue 79 | August 2015

wild sea, open fields and a brisk wind blowing in from the North. A land of opportunities “EuroVelo’s North Sea Cycle Route goes through Thy National Park. It’s a long challenging route for those who are eager cyclists. However, you don’t have to embark on the entire journey. You can simply stick to Thy National Park, an area that will take you at least three days to get a proper look at,” says Andersen. Moreover, if you wish for a shorter trip, you can go to the cosy seaside village of Hanstholm and

follow a cycle path all the way to Klitmøller, a journey that takes you through captivating landscapes, with the wilderness on one side and the sea on the other. “Thy National Park is home to some charming towns, good places to stay the night with anything from country inns, bed and breakfast to cottages. However, if you seek true adventure there are shelters and tent sites in the wild that can be used,” tells Andersen, stressing that the majority of the park is untouched, without the presence of holiday homes and grand hotels blocking the view like you see on other coastlines. This is what makes the experience so powerful. It’s just you and the bike, surrounded by the peaceful sounds of nature. Wildlife encounters “If you are lucky you can even spot cranes and in the late summer the stags will


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