Denmark's first national park spans 244 square kilometers of coastal dunes, pine forests, and lakes. Red deer roam freely, while surfers catch waves at Cold Hawaii's beaches.
Thy National Park covers 244 square kilometers along Denmark's northwestern coast. You can walk through wind-swept dunes rising 30 meters above the North Sea, watch red deer graze at sunrise near Nors Lake, or catch waves at the surf spots of Klitmøller. The park's dune heaths stretch inland for 12 kilometers, while small fishing villages like Stenbjerg maintain their 19th-century wooden boat houses and fishing equipment.
Exploring the Dune Landscape
The park runs 55 kilometers from Hanstholm to Agger Tange. Wind and waves have created Denmark's largest sandy heath at Hanstholm Vildtreservat, where purple heather blooms in late summer. You'll walk through a mix of bare dunes and pine forests planted in the 1800s - a successful project to stop sand from covering farmland.
Wildlife Watching
Look for red deer at dawn and dusk from the observation tower at Nors Lake. Common seals often sun themselves on the beaches between Hanstholm and Agger. The Hanstholm game reserve hosts more than 30 nesting bird species, including the rare wood sandpiper. At Agger Tange, you can watch thousands of geese and waders during spring and autumn migration.
Trails and Activities
Walk the West Coast Trail from end to end in about five days, camping along the way. Mountain bike trails range from the beginner-friendly 6-kilometer Tvorup loop to the challenging 10-kilometer Hanstholm circuit. Surfers head to Klitmøller, nicknamed Cold Hawaii, where north-westerly winds create reliable waves year-round.
Foraging and Camping
Search for boletuses and chanterelles in late summer and autumn, especially in the pine forests. Wild cranberries and blackberries grow throughout the dunes from August to October. You can pitch tents at Hvidbjerg Plantation campground or sleep in one of 12 wooden shelters across the park. Each shelter has space for 4-6 people and includes a fire pit.
Historical Sites
Walk through five restored World War II bunkers along the coast to see how German forces fortified the area. Climb the 35-meter Hanstholm Lighthouse, built in 1843, for views across the dunes and sea. In Stenbjerg, 16 white-painted fishing houses from the early 1900s still stand on the beach, with one converted into an information center about local fishing methods.
Getting There
Drive to the park via Route 181 or take the 15-minute ferry from Thyborøn to Agger Tange. Trains connect Thisted and Hurup to major Danish cities. Bus 888 runs from Copenhagen and Aarhus to Thisted, with local buses serving coastal villages. The closest airports are Aalborg (100 km away) and Karup (120 km away).
