Protected Areas and Natural Landscapes near Horsens Fjord, havet øst for og Endelave

Stavns Fjord Protected Area: An Atlas of Danish Coastal Landscapes

Mapping the islands and tidal flats of Samsø

Stavns Fjord offers a rare glimpse into a sheltered coastal landscape set entirely within the island of Samsø. Characterized by its calm waters, shallow tidal flats, and the curving spit of Besser Rev, this protected site is a critical Ramsar wetland habitat for coastal bird populations. Explore the unique geography and layered history, from Viking canals to medieval fortifications, that define this essential Danish protected area.

Area

20 km²

Established

1926

Relief

Lowland

Access

Moderate access

Nordby Bakker Protected Area: Glacial Moraine and Grasslands in Region Midtjylland

Coastal cliffs, dunes, and rare calcareous ecosystems

Nordby Bakker preserves one of the largest continuous dry grassland complexes in Denmark, set upon a prominent glacial terminal moraine. Located at the northern tip of Samsø, this protected area features a unique synthesis of coastal dunes, beach ridges, and inland lakes that support a distinct array of rare plant and insect species within the central Kattegat region.

Area

6.28 km²

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Scope

Mixed

Kysing Fjord Protected Area: Coastal Lagoon and Saltmarsh Geography in Region Midtjylland

Mapped coastal lagoon and wetland protected area

Kysing Fjord serves as a significant coastal lagoon system on the eastern Jutland coast. This protected area in Region Midtjylland integrates shallow lagoon waters, saltmarsh meadows, and riverine terrain, offering a precise look at managed coastal landscapes and their ecological importance for wintering bird populations.

Area

3.7 km²

Established

1942

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Natura 2000-område nr. 55 Stavns Fjord, Samsø Østerflak og Nordby Hede Protected Landscapes

Coastal lagoons and glacial islands in Region Midtjylland

Gain insight into the expansive marine and terrestrial geography of this protected site. The area spans a diverse mosaic of salt meadows, dunes, and shallow reefs while supporting critical habitats for waterbirds and seals within the Kattegat sea.

Area

156.63 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Natura 2000-område nr. 54 Yding Skov og Ejer Skov: Geography and Protected Area Context

Glacial plateau and forest reserve in Region Midtjylland

Natura 2000-område nr. 54 Yding Skov og Ejer Skov covers roughly 130 hectares of diverse Danish terrain. The reserve encompasses mature broadleaf forests and rare seepage habitats, mapped alongside significant Bronze Age archaeological sites. This protected landscape provides a clear view into the glacial geography and woodland conservation efforts characterizing eastern Jutland.

Area

1.3 km²

Established

2011

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Natura 2000-område nr. 52: Protected Lake and River Landscape in Central Denmark

Mapping freshwater habitats, mires, and sandy heath ridges.

Centered on the Salten Å river valley and the expansive waters of Mossø and Salten Langsø, this protected area represents one of the most significant freshwater networks in Denmark. The territory includes diverse habitat types ranging from calcareous fens and rare raised bogs to sandy dry heaths and Atlantic beech woodlands, creating a vital ecological corridor within the Central Denmark Region.

Area

44.7 km²

Established

2011

Salten Å Protected Area: Geography and Landscape Atlas of Central Denmark

Mapping inland river valleys and protected heathland corridors

Salten Å serves as a primary freshwater tributary and a protected natural corridor in the Central Denmark Region. This atlas entry provides insight into the valley's diverse terrain, spanning from the elevated inland heath at Sepstrup Sande to the forest-lined slopes and lake systems that characterize this unbroken Jutland habitat.

Water

Major water bodies

Mols Bjerge National Park: Glacial Geography and Protected Terrain in Central Jutland

Mapping the coastal cliffs and rolling heathland of Denmark

Mols Bjerge National Park protects a sweeping mosaic of glacial hills, woodlands, and coastal zones on the Djursland peninsula. With a landscape shaped by ancient ice sheets, the park offers a detailed view into Denmark's geological history, preserved ancient barrows, and rich botanical diversity along the Kattegat sea.

Area

180 km²

Established

2009

IUCN

II

Relief

Upland

Brabrand Sø Nature Reserve: Mapped Geography of an Aarhus Glacial Tunnel Valley

Protected freshwater wetlands and urban green corridors in Denmark

Brabrand Sø represents a rare, shallow freshwater lake and wetland complex located at the edge of the Aarhus urban fabric. This nature reserve, formed within a post-glacial tunnel valley, remains a cornerstone of the regional landscape through its integration of bird habitats, drinking-water protection, and open meadow terrain. The area offers a profound look at how peri-urban green infrastructure sustains both ecological health and geological character in the Aarhus Kommune region.

Area

1.54 km²

Established

1959

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Årslev Engsø Protected Area in Aarhus Kommune: Geographic and Wetland Map

Restored freshwater lake and ecological tunnel valley habitat

Årslev Engsø is a primary example of freshwater restoration located in the Aarhus Å valley of Denmark. This protected area features a shallow lake basin, managed wet meadows, and essential reed bed habitats that serve as a crucial filtering system for the downstream watershed. Through our mapped atlas, examine the terrain and geographic context of this wetland environment situated near the eastern Jutland coast.

Area

2.1 km²

Established

2003

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Begtrup Vig Protected Area: Glacial Terrain and Coastal Geography in Denmark

Coastal landscape and regional protected area mapping

Begtrup Vig is a distinct coastal bay defined by its glacial history, stretching across the southern Djursland peninsula in Denmark. Within the broader Mols Bjerge national park framework, the area features varied topography including stony shores, sandy coves, and pastoral meadows. This record provides a focused look at the environmental boundaries and geographic significance of this protected habitat, bridging natural terrain with the regional landscape context.

Relief

Upland

Scope

Mixed

Water

Water-dominated

Season

Year-round

Natura 2000-område nr. 51 Begtrup Vig og kystområder ved Helgenæs Geography and Maps

Coastal grasslands and marine habitats in Region Midtjylland

Examine the complex terrain of Natura 2000-område nr. 51 Begtrup Vig og kystområder ved Helgenæs, an expansive protected area characterized by its diverse coastal cliff systems and large calcareous grasslands. This site documents the evolution of the Kattegat shoreline through its unique recurved spits and lifted seabed formations, providing a window into the natural landscape history of the Helgenæs peninsula.

Area

17.71 km²

Established

2011

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Tved Kær Nature Reserve: Protected Coastal Habitat Geography in Region Midtjylland

Exploring lime-rich fens and coastal cliff terrain.

Tved Kær represents a compact but ecologically dense protected area in Denmark, known for its rare calcareous fen and seepage vegetation. Situated near the village of Tved, this nature reserve integrates coastal cliffs and raised seabed to form a distinct habitat mosaic within the Mols peninsula, serving as a vital site for rare orchid species and lime-rich soil preservation.

Area

0.06 km²

Established

1981

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Silkeborgskovene Nature Reserve: Mapping the Forest and Lake Highlands of Central Jutland

Protected woodlands and freshwater mosaic in Denmark

Silkeborgskovene represents a profound example of Denmark's inland natural heritage, spanning a wide array of mature beech forests and clear lakes across the Søhøjland. This structured record provides geographic and habitat context for the reserve, detailing its role as a vital Natura 2000 protected area that preserves diverse ecosystems ranging from dry heathland to calcareous fens and unique brown-water aquatic environments.

Area

14.55 km²

Established

2011

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Sindbjerg og Stovbjerg: Protected Heath and Glacial Landscape near Silkeborg Municipality

Twin heather summits overlooking the central Danish lake district

Sindbjerg og Stovbjerg features two prominent summits that have remained open heathland since early conservation efforts in 1919. This protected landscape offers a rare perspective on the Gudenå tunnel valley, providing panoramic vantage points across Borre Sø and the surrounding forested ridges of Jutland.

Area

0.22 km²

Established

1910

Relief

Upland

Climate

Temperate

Natura 2000-område nr. 53 Sepstrup Sande, Vrads Sande, Velling Skov og Palsgård Skov Atlas

Protected glacial heathlands and forest landscapes in Central Jutland.

Analyze the topography of this expansive Danish protected area, where flat sandy plains meet undulating moraine hills. The territory contains diverse habitats including the Tingdalsøer lake chain, inland dune complexes, and dense beech woodlands, offering a deep look into the glacial history and regional geography of Central Jutland.

Area

55.72 km²

Relief

Mixed relief

Water

Major water bodies

Nationalpark Mols Bjerge: A Geographic Overview of Central Jutland's Glacial Landscape

Mapped terrain, dead-ice hills, and prehistoric monuments

Nationalpark Mols Bjerge offers a deep look into the glacial heritage of Central Jutland. The area features steep, sun-exposed slopes, heathland, and coastal fringes that provide a unique perspective on the Danish landscape. By examining the park's mapped boundaries, one can identify the convergence of geological landforms and ancient cultural history preserved within this protected environment.

Relief

Mountain

Access

Easy access

Water

Major water bodies

Saltbæk Vig Nature Reserve: Geography and Protected Wetland Landscapes in Kalundborg Municipality

A brackish lagoon basin shaped by historic land reclamation efforts.

Saltbæk Vig is a major coastal water body on the northwestern edge of Zealand, Denmark, defined by shallow waters and low-lying wetland terrain. This nature reserve serves as an important regional landmark, where historic drainage embankments now form unique boundaries that define the lagoon's ecological character and protected status.

Area

26 km²

Established

1992

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Stubbe Sø Nature Reserve: A Geographic Exploration of Djursland Protected Landscapes

Mapping the wetlands, forest fringes, and mire systems of eastern Jutland.

Stubbe Sø is a central protected feature within the landscape of eastern Jutland, comprising a large shallow lake surrounded by alder-birch shorelines and coniferous plantations. This nature reserve offers deep insight into the glaciated terrain and wetland mosaic of the Djursland peninsula, providing an essential geographic reference for understanding local conservation habitats and regional waterbird migration corridors.

Area

7.78 km²

Established

1963

Relief

Lowland

Climate

Temperate

Nekselø Nature Reserve: An Atlas Entry for the Unique Steppe-Climate Island in Denmark

Coastal geography and protected wetland terrain in Kalundborg Kommune

Nekselø represents a distinctive protected area in Denmark, where a unique microclimate creates favorable conditions for diverse, warmth-loving flora and fauna. As a managed nature reserve in Kalundborg Kommune, it offers a compelling study in island geography and small-scale, community-led conservation efforts within the international Ramsar and Natura 2000 protected frameworks.

Area

2.2 km²

Established

1951

Relief

Lowland

Scope

Mixed