DIS Blog

Last spring, DIS Copenhagen student Seychelle (she/her), Smith College, used Easter break to travel across Denmark via train and bus. An avid surfer born and raised in Hawaii, Seychelle paid a visit to Thy National park in northwest Jutland, where she tested the waves on the Danish coast known as “Cold Hawaii.”

Read her story below to see how she used slow travel to explore Denmark and connect with her own heritage, both her Hawaiian home and her Danish ancestry.

Hi, I’m Seychelle, a junior at Smith College in Massachusetts. During the Easter study break, I went on a slow travel adventure across Jutland, going from Copenhagen to the city of Randers, then Thisted, before reaching my ultimate destination, Thy National Park.

Slow travel is the opportunity to explore and connect with a local environment and culture on a deeper level than experienced in the hustle and bustle of more fast-paced travel. This trip was a refreshing change of pace, and it allowed me to immerse myself in the experience and delve deeper into my own heritage.

My route from Copenhagen to Randers and Thisted

Randers is a quaint old market town built alongside Denmark’s longest stream, the Gudenåen.

This waterside location means the town is surrounded by a beautiful estuary ecosystem.

To the northwest, Thisted is a small port town on the shores of the Limfjorden, the channel that separates the Jutland peninsula from the North Jutlandic Island.

Both of these towns are hidden gems, not frequently visited by DIS students, and each provided me a glimpse into Danish life and culture outside of Copenhagen.

Also, as an environmental science and policy major, I chose these locations because I wanted to experience the natural environment in Denmark, especially after spending so much time in the urban capital.

On Monday afternoon, after my last class of the week, I boarded a direct, 3-hour train from Copenhagen Central Station to Randers. As a random twist of fate, just a few days before leaving, I learned that my great-great-grandparents were born and raised in Randers, giving this trip an extra sense of personal connection.

The main walking street in Randers

Randers

My time in Randers was primarily spent exploring the estuary ecosystem that surrounds the area.

The town has capitalized on its proximity to the Gudenån by creating a large series of hiking and biking trails that traverse the estuary ecosystem. In addition to the trails, there are multiple bird-watching towers, complete with local birding guides, piers, and a free nature center.

I trekked along throughout the entire nature park and saw a wide variety of birds, insects, deer, and cows (one of my personal favorites).

Although not a large town, Randers had no shortage of cute cafés, bars, and restaurants where I enjoyed a traditional Danish breakfast and other delicious meals.

One of the most striking aspects of the town was the sense of welcoming and community. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with friendly conversations and help from locals.

With help from the hotel’s receptionist, I discovered that my grandfather actually lived on a small farm outside of Randers. Walking through the cobblestone streets and along worn nature paths, I was struck by a sense of nostalgia and wonder, knowing that they had walked here too.

Photos show examples of the Randers estuary ecosystem.

Thisted, Klitmøller, and Cold Hawaii

On Thursday, I departed Randers and continued my journey to Thisted via train and bus. Upon arrival, I rented a bike from a local bike shop that even transports their goods to the train station, which was incredibly convenient. The station manager who helped me also recommended several biking routes into Thy National Park and gave me his phone number in case of any biking-related emergencies or if I needed any more information.

While my initial plan had been to utilize the free nature shelters that are scattered throughout Denmark, the weather had different ideas. The forecast for the days I was there included rain, strong wind, and more rain so I decided it would be safest to rent a small beachfront cabin instead. I found one at a campground recommended by the local tourism site Visit Nordvestkysten.

For anyone interested in Denmark’s free shelters, I highly recommend udinaturen.dk, a website run by the Danish Nature Agency and designed to be a guide to nature experiences. It lists all types of camping and shelter facilities as well as who to contact if reservations are required. It also has bike paths, hiking trails, and loads of other natural attractions listed.

I spent the first afternoon exploring Thisted, walking along the cobblestone streets and along the water, enjoying the classic hygge of the town. The next morning, I enjoyed a sunrise over the water and got an early start to the day.

“One of the most striking aspects of my slow travel was the sense of welcoming and community. Everywhere I went, I was greeted with friendly conversations and help from locals.”

My first destination in the National Park was Klitmøller, a small town on the edge of the North Sea nicknamed “Cold Hawaii” due to the good surfing conditions. 

Bike ride on the Nordthy bike route from Thisted to Klitmøller

As someone born and raised in Hawaii, I decided I had to give their waves a try, to see how they compared to the break back home. I took the Nordthy bike route from Thisted to Klitmøller, one of the many bike paths throughout the park.

This route was an incredible way to experience the national park. It took me into the countryside, through the forest, and along the coast on a beautiful 2-hour bike ride that really showed all that Thy has to offer. I began biking in Copenhagen and absolutely love it, although I will warn my fellow city bikers that Jutland is much hillier than Copenhagen, so be prepared to work just a bit.

It took approximately 10 minutes to bike through the entirety of Klitmøller, a quaint surfing town tucked among the sand dunes. I rented a surfboard and all the necessary cold-weather gear from a local surf shop. The employees were happy to share some of their recommendations for surf spots before I headed off to the beach.

Although the wind was strong, there was a constant swell and good break, about 2-3 feet, which is my perfect range. I lasted for around an hour of surfing before tapping out due to the cold. It was a truly phenomenal experience, Klitmøller really did live up to the Cold Hawaii nickname. After warming up in a small restaurant overlooking the surf break, I set off back to Thisted. The weather had taken a turn for the worst and I didn’t fancy the idea of biking back in the pouring rain.

“Engaging with the local guides provided me with a deeper understanding of the ecological and historical importance of Thy.

It was a reminder of the interconnectedness between nature, travel, sustainability, and responsible tourism.”

Vorupør, museums, and a beach cleanup

The rain abated the next morning and the sun finally made a much welcome appearance. My destination of the day was the town of Vorupør, home to the National Park Center and surrounded by rolling sand dunes and heathland.

After another beautiful bike ride, I arrived in Vorupør and set off to explore. At my first stop, the National Park Center, I talked to a very helpful guide who explained the geographical evolution of the area and how Thy became Denmark’s oldest national park. Engaging with the local guides provided me with a deeper understanding of the ecological and historical importance of Thy. It was a reminder of the interconnectedness between nature, travel, sustainability, and responsible tourism.

The next few hours I spent walking along the coast, admiring the view of the sand dunes, watching surfers, and picking up trash. Cleaning the beach is an important part of the community here. The people who enjoy the beaches and surfing the waves know how important it is to preserve this place they love to use, a perfect example of the sustainable tourism that slow travel is all about.

After enjoying a delicious calzone, I began my bike journey back to Thisted. On the way, I stopped by Faddersbøl Mølle, an old windmill built in 1861 that is currently a museum.

Return journey

On Saturday, I enjoyed a slow and restful morning before heading to the train station to begin my trip back to Copenhagen. Throughout my journey, I made a conscious effort to savor each moment and embrace the slow mindset. I took my time to meander along forest trails, listen to the sounds of nature, and marvel at the beauty of Danish landscapes.

As I reflect on my slow travel experience, I am filled with gratitude for the meaningful connections I made and the profound insights gained. In particular I’ve learned how rewarding and fulfilling slow travel can be, and how immersed one can feel in a new local culture. It was an incredible experience that left me energized and thankful.

Slow travel is so much more than a way to visit new places, it’s about traveling with intention, fostering a deeper appreciation towards the places and communities we visit, and creating lasting memories.

– Seychelle

The different bike routes I took each day

“Throughout my journey, I made a conscious effort to savor each moment and embrace the slow mindset.
I took my time to meander along forest trails, listen to the sounds of nature, and marvel at the beauty of Danish landscapes.”


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