Rabjerg Mile

Råbjerg Mile is Denmark's largest walking dune. You won't avoid sand in your shoes after a mile walk, but in return you will be greeted by a sight you won't find anywhere else in scenic Denmark.

Info about Råbjerg Mile

The mile is about 1000 meters long on each side, contains about 3,5 million m3 of sand, measures up to 40 meters high and covers an area of ​​about 2 square kilometers - and then the dune migrates 15 meters annually to the north-east. This means that in about 100-200 years the main road to Skagen will be covered with sand, and that trees and the like, which are gradually covered by Råbjerg Mile, will appear on the other side about 40 years later. The same goes for small "mile lakes", which are depressions caused by the varying groundwater level. These lakes are initially poor in nutrients and vegetation, but after a while the plants return.

Råbjerg Mile on sand drift

The mile leaves behind a low and damp sand flat, which extends westward to the Skagerak, where Råbjerg Mile was formed more than 300 years ago in the landscape called Råbjerg Stene.

The entire area around Skagen was plagued by sand drift, where the sand came from the west and settled in dunes, thus destroying the possibility of cultivating the land. People were driven from their homes after losing the battle against the sand, as evidenced by the sand-covered church, which has also been left behind among the dunes. Today, only the church tower can be seen sticking up above the sand, and marram grass and conifers have been planted to slow down the sand drift.

However, the area is now protected and owned by the state after strong protests from, among others, Jeppe Aakjær, who was dissatisfied that the plantations (which were supposed to stop sand drift) destroyed many beautiful natural areas.

Note: On a hike at Råbjerg Mile there may be a risk of walking into quicksand!

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Green journey by bus and train in North Jutland

It is easy to get around North Jutland with public transport. Plan your journey by bus, train and Plustur on rejseplanen.dk

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