Top 10 Lakes in Nationalpark Skjoldungernes Land

For swimming, Avnsø Lake is renowned as one of Zealand's cleanest lakes, featuring a bathing jetty, small sandy beach, and picnic facilities. Avnsø Lake is officially open for swimming from June 1st to September 15th. Himmelsøen also offers a refreshing swim with a 140-meter floating bridge and a fine sandy beach. The Lynghøjsøerne are another excellent choice, equipped with swimming lanes and a pontoon with a slide.

The Little Kattinge Lake (Lille Kattinge Sø) and Store Kattinge Sø are particularly celebrated for their exceptionally rich birdlife, attracting large flocks of tufted ducks and seasonal visitors like osprey and kingfisher. Store Kattinge Lake features a birdwatching tower at its northern end. Selsø Sø is also a significant conservation area best experienced from Selsø Church or a birdwatching tower, offering panoramic views of the lake and its avian inhabitants.

Yes, several lakes are great for families. Avnsø Lake has a gradually sloping sandy bottom, making it suitable for children, along with picnic tables and a fire pit. Himmelsøen is also ideal for families, offering a sandy beach, a 2-kilometer path for walks, a shelter, and a campfire site. The Pond in Folkeparken is within a large open park with a cafe, streams, and open lawns, providing a relaxing environment for all ages.

The lakes offer a variety of outdoor activities. At Lynghøjsøerne, you can enjoy swimming, fishing (with a license), cycling, and hiking, with dedicated mountain bike tracks. Many lakes, including Avnsø Lake, are surrounded by woodlands perfect for walks. For hiking, you can explore routes like the moderate Bidstrup Forests Avnstrup Trail or the Skjoldungesti, which includes a section around Little Kattinge Lake.

Yes, there are numerous hiking opportunities. A branch of the 40km Skjoldungesti hiking trail includes an 8.5 km walk around Little Kattinge Lake, featuring a unique cable ferry. Himmelsøen has a 2-kilometer path circling the lake. For more options, explore the Hiking in Nationalpark Skjoldungernes Land guide, which lists trails like the Skjoldunge Trail.

Yes, dogs are generally welcome, but leash rules apply in most areas. The Lynghøjsøerne area even features a dedicated dog park where dogs can run freely, though they must be leashed elsewhere in the vicinity.

The lakes are nestled within a diverse landscape of forests and rolling Ice Age terrain. You'll find dense woodlands surrounding lakes like Avnsø, reed beds and deciduous forests around the Kattinge Lakes, and wild nature with scenic views at Himmelsøen. The park's diverse natural mosaic also includes pastures and bogs.

Many lakes offer facilities for visitors. Avnsø Lake provides a bathing jetty, a small sandy beach, picnic tables, and a fire pit. Himmelsøen has a shelter and a campfire site free for public use. The Lynghøjsøerne are equipped with swimming lanes, a pontoon with a slide, and shelters for overnight stays. The Pond in Folkeparken includes a cafe.

For easy walks, the 2-kilometer path around Himmelsøen is perfect. The path around Little Kattinge Lake is also suitable for walking. Additionally, the Kattinge Vig area offers an easy hike on a well-prepared path through a nature-protected forest. You can find more options in the Easy hikes in Nationalpark Skjoldungernes Land guide.

Visitors highly appreciate the clean waters for swimming, the peaceful and scenic environments for walks, and the rich birdlife. The facilities like picnic areas, jetties, and shelters enhance the experience. The diverse activities available, from hiking and cycling to fishing, also contribute to a positive visitor experience, as seen by the 46 upvotes and 26 photos shared by the komoot community for various highlights.

Yes, Himmelsøen offers bridleways specifically designed for horse riding, allowing equestrians to enjoy the beautiful setting and scenic views around the lake.

Fishing is possible in some lakes, typically requiring a license. Avnsø Lake is known to have roach, pike, and perch. The Lynghøjsøerne also permit fishing with a valid license.