Skagen in October
In early October 2005, I spent a few days at the northern tip of Denmark. Few people walked the beaches where the North Sea and Baltic Sea (or more precisely, Skagerrak and Kattegat) meet. The Baltic Sea had big waves; the North Sea was calm. Most of the time, the sun was shining.
Typical of Skagen are the pale yellow houses with their orange roofs and white trim along the roof edges.
Kattegat and Skagerrak
The peninsula with Skagen divides the North Sea (Skagerrak) in the west from the Baltic Sea (Kattegat) in the east. At Grenen, the tip of the peninsula, the sand extends into the sea - the spray shows where the two seas mix.
On the walk from Skagen to Grenen along the Baltic Sea beach, you pass old bunkers and one of the region’s lighthouses. The spit of land at Grenen continues to grow into both seas. Due to tides, it appears larger or smaller at different times.
Walks along the Baltic Sea shore
South of Skagen lie larger dunes. In the 18th century, they buried the Laurentius Church - later torn down, leaving only its tower.
Today, trees grow on many dunes, but some still move. South of Damsted Klit, Sandmilen - Denmark’s second-largest dune - still drifts into the Baltic Sea. I saw untouched nature around Sandmilen - a wonderful beach.
Since October is off-season, about half the restaurants were closed. Skagen has supermarkets. At the harbor, I ate a delicious fish dish with potatoes (11 EUR in 2005). I had a relaxed holiday in Skagen.
Link Tips
- Grenen history, geology and pictures, Danish website
- Nordjyske Jernbaner train timetable, Danish website
- Youth Hostel in Skagen
- Skagen at Wikipedia
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... more sea around Bornholm:
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... more sea around Gotland:
