Tornby Strand, Denmark

Following our relaxing camping experience in Vorupor, we were up early to explore further up the north-western coast of Denmark. Before we set off, we checked Google earth and confirmed that th4re were a number of huge and stunning looking beaches on our way up the coast towards our destination of Green, the northernmost point of Denmark.

So we set off intending to try to visit a few of them to experience the open beaches and the North Sea.

Tornby Stand, Denmark

Tornby Strand was our first stop on our casual wander up the coast. The approach was less than dramatic, but the scenery and dunes were quite a sight both sides of the road. A short hop from our starting point we saw the sign to our first stop. We travelled down the narrow tarmac road looking like it was leading to nowhere in particular. We hardly saw another car, but we trusted the directions… we were not disappointed. We emerged where the tarmac ran out and the sand started. We edged along the ‘road’ across the beach but didn’t go to far as I was conscious that I did not want to get stuck.

The beach was vast, with many cars and motorhomes spread along flattened area away from the tide’s reach. There were many groups of friends and families enjoying the sun and many brave enough to venture in to the sea. The vista was superb, plus it was incredibly clean considering there were so many people there.

As if to confirm my suspicions, during our beach walk we came across a couple of cars being driven by youngsters that appeared magnetically bound by the soft sand. It took 6-7 people to push while the driver accelerated hard enough o help the forward motion. They had plenty of manpower and were making good progress by the time we got close. Soon enough they were on to the second car. Neither were 4x4, but equally, neither were heavy cars either… fortunately.

Having wandered up and down the beach a reasonable way, we decided that there were too many people for us.

Tversted Strand, Denmark

Another short hop on our journey took us to Tversted Strand (Strand is Danish for beach). This time we decided to stop short of the beach as there was a great parking area next to an ice-cream shop that seemed very popular. Not that there is a theme to where we stop - but this time we did NOT have an ice-cream as we felt that we hadn’t clocked enough steps to have ‘earned’ one this early in the day.

Again the beach was vast, but not deserted. I guess that the Danes were out for the weekend enjoying the sunshine. Again there were large groups of people in and out of the sea enjoying the warmth of the summer sun.

Tversted Strand, Denmark

We also came across a Danish family playing a game that we had never seen before. We watched them play for quite a while, trying to figure out the rules. Once we felt that we had the gist of the game, we went to ask them what it was called. They said that they called it Kubb. It was a reasonably simple set up with 5 square wooden pegs, or pins, at each end and one in the middle with a square peg with a castle turret shape to the top - look it up, it looked like a lot of fun.

After watching the family play and finding out what it was called, we decided that it was time to head further north to see what the top of the country had to offer.

Grenen, Denmark

This was one of the destinations that I was keen to see. It is the not only the most northernmost point of Denmark, but also the place that the North Sea met the Baltic Sea.

Having left the beaches of Tornby and Tversted behind us we continued in a northerly direction towards the top of the country.

We arrived at the small town of Skagen and we though we were already there… but no, there was a little way further to go. It was worth it.

As we arrived we found that there was a well signposted carpark for campers and motorhomes and we headed for a space, it was next to a young English couple that we had already seen and we exchanged waves with while we were in Aarhus. Obviously they were following a similar route.

From the car park there was a lovely walk along the beach, past a couple of picture postcard lighthouses and many massive container ships moored in the sea some way offshore, unmoving.

As we arrived at the northernmost point, the first observation was there were so many people! We weren’t used to it. However, there was little noise apart for the conversations and occasional laughter. It was a really calm place.

Grenen, Denmark

As we walked out in to the place that the seas met, it was quickly obvious that neither sea was rough, but the small waves interacting with each other were fascinating. It made me want to see it on a stormy day. I can imagine it would be quite a sight too beholden.

The meeting of the North and Baltic Seas, Grenen, Denmark

After our statutory picture taking, we headed back the way we came and were amazed that we arrived back at the parking spot so quickly. But definitely worth the visit. The seas were so calm.

Once we were back, we quickly headed on towards our planned overnight stop of Frederikshavn. However, as we arrived we checked the sailing times for the ferries to Gothemburg, Sweden and the prices and realised that it made more sense to save the £100+ and sail late the same evening. So that it what we did - saved money on the budget and got on the ferry for midnight and a night time crossing to Sweden.

It seemed a little bit of a shame to be leaving Denmark so soon, but we it is safe to say that we liked the place, but I wouldn’t go as far as to say we loved it. We would be passing back through Denmark on our return leg, so hoped that Copenhagen would wow us into loving the country.