THE ANHOLT LANDSCAPE The island can be divided into three landscape types: Vesterlandet (the western land), Flakket (coastal headland) and Ørkenen (“The Desert” – dunes/heath) VESTERLANDET The western part mainly consists of moraine hills, which surround a damp meadow and bog area. Here, the fantastic viewing places, hiking opportunities, fishing waters and birds are the biggest attractions. Summer atmosphere at Anholt Harbour Ørkenen – as far as the eye can see The sand earwig – one of the rare insects on Anholt Until the mid-eighteenth century this area was a lake, which is now partly drained by ditches that have their outfall south Be aware about inshore fishing that there is no backup on FLAKKET sedge, crowberry bushes, violets and wild pansy. In the flat of Dræthøj, at Vesterstrand. the island and that the weather changes fast. From early northeast of the harbour, is an area that formed after the open areas grey hair grass, sand sedge, sheep›s sorrel and May to mid-June, the garfish come close to the shore. In harbour was built around 1900. It consists of beach ridges, heather all grow well and give a colourful display. The moist In this part of the island, the best feature is the striking view addition, there are good chances - if you are lucky - of low salt marshes with reeds, small and large brackish and depressions have birch, aspen, creeping willow, heather, from both Nordbjerg and Sønderbjerg. In clear weather you catching sea trout, flounders, dabs, eels, weevers (be very freshwater lakes and wet areas. cross-leaved heather, bog myrtle, bog bilberry, orchids and can see both Djursland, to the west on the Danish mainland, careful if you think you have one) and even turbots. There is cranberries. On a quiet spring day, the scents are wonderful. and Sweden, far to the east. There are also fantastic views also growing interest in catching flat fish with gaffs. There are good chances to see seals on the beach at Flakket You can pick berries from junipers as well as crowberry, bog over Ørkenen. In the summer, many wind and kite surfers and off Nordstrand except during the summer months. bilberry, cranberry bushes and a sprig of bog myrtle to flavour can be seen on beaches around the harbour. In Wilhelminelyst and the surrounding moist meadow areas the “snaps”, which you really must try. west of the village, you should be able to see heron and East of the road to Nordstrand, past the big anchor beside If you want something quieter, take a walk round Sønderbjerg geese and hear nightjars and nightingales. At the harbour, the road and about 1 km from the harbour, there are humid Insects and birds and keep a lookout for fossils, such as belemnites and sea you can see little auks and the breeding black guillemot. In areas where many interesting plants can be found. These There are myriad butterflies, but mostly grayling, fritillary and urchins. There are also great opportunities if you want to fish. spring and autumn, one can see large flocks of migratory include sundew, orchids, winter green, club moss and common blue. Among rarer insects, there are sand earwigs Best places on the coast are by Sønderbjerg, to the north side birds from Nordbjerg and Sønderbjerg. cranberries. and the Apalus bimaculatus. Near the airport in spring, you of the harbour, and at the centre of Nordstrand. may see pearlwort spurrey. Ørkenen also has wintergreen, ØRKENEN various orchids and several species of club moss. Ørkenen, “The Desert”, is formed of materials from the moraines to the west, driven by wind and currents and Birds breed in Ørkenen. There are colonies of lesser deposited on the sheltered side of the high ground, while the black-backed gulls and common gulls, and there is scattered Stone Age sea has retreated. Thus, the landscape is ancient nesting of the great black-backed gull, common eider, seabed, with beach ridges and large and small inland dunes. woodcock, tawny pipit and whimbrel. By the seal reserves and other places, there are tern colonies including little tern. In the area along the Pakhusbugt (Warehouse Bay) on the Along the coast oyster-catchers, dunlin, gannets and many south-east side of the island, where there is no shelter from other seabirds are seen. the west wind, the dunes have migrated to the northeast and have thus left behind large and small wet areas Note: Furthest to the east of the lighthouse is a great (Porsemosen and Indien). In some areas, the dunes still opportunity to see seals. migrate. It may be a tough trip to go to the lighthouse (7-9 km). Berries, plants and flowers So remember drinks and suitable clothing and, not least, The landscape is in itself an experience. The scattered good footwear. Vehicles are not allowed. dunes are overgrown with marram, common juniper, sand Anholt Lighthouse – built 1785-1788 and heightened 1881 The dunes by Pakhusbugten THE SEALS In the period 2005-2011, Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser (National Environmental Research Institute) attached satellite transmitters to 27 spotted seals. The information gathered has told about the seals’ movement patterns, and that they can dive down 60 metres and hold their breath for 15 minutes. By the lighthouse on Anholt’s eastern point, there is an observation shelter containing a telescope with a very strong zoom, so visitors have an opportunity to see the seals up close in their natural habitat. In earlier times, the seals were an important resource for Anholt’s residents. They extracted seal oil themselves for Map key lamps and heating, and the blubber could be sold in Grenaa or traded for grain. Sailing atmosphere one summer day in the harbour Tarmac roads Note: Today, Anholt is the only place in Denmark where Non surfaced/gravel roads the seals can be easily observed from land. Footpath Since 1977, all Danish seals have been totally protected Viewing point and, in addition, the seal reserve on Anholt’s eastern point Camping site (Totten) was created in 1982. Since the breeding season unfortunately coincides with the tourist season, one of the Museum reserve’s most important functions is to ensure that the Steps seals have peace to give birth to and nurse their young. If the seals are disturbed in this period, they flee out into the Church sea and the young risk losing contact with their mothers and thus can die of hunger. Outside of the tourist season, 1 Anholt Tourist the seals also reside along the whole length of Nordstrand, 2 Anholt School and Library and when you walk on the beach, you often are followed by curious seals in the water. 3 Brugsen - Supermarket One of the many lichens in Ørkenen 4 Potters Hus - appartments to let Welcome to Anholt – a nature island you never forget! 5 Doctor 6 Anholt Bed and Breakfast 7 Anholt Gartneri – vegetables, wine, clothes and gifts Please note: Remember that, on Anholt, there are also bye-laws about 8 Harbour Office/Sailor House/Bath behaviour and traffic. Please read the bulletins and note 9 Ferry Ticket Office also the text on the boards placed around the island. 10 Molevitten/Restaurant/Grocer/Pay Laundry • There are strict rules about the use of open flames and 11 Restaurant Casablanca smoking. There can be serious danger of fire. • There is no access to the seal reserve. There is a large 12 Havheksen telescope at the foot of the lighthouse, but the only way 13 Cycle Hire to it is along the beach. • Don’t go near ANY seals on land, particularly seal pups. 14 Anholt Inn If you do, mothers will be scared and pups may go unfed. 15 Café ved Vejen • Always keep your distance from breeding birds. Anholt Havmøllepark – completed in 2013 16 Public toilet The island is always worth a trip - at any time of year. When on Anholt, you must not fail to see: There are countless opportunities for nature lovers. Ørkenen (heath), Nordbjerg, Sønderbjerg, Totten and the fine old 18th century lighthouse right at the eastern end. Look for Anholt is a special island. With its 25 km long coastline, its seals, birds, plants, insects, rare mosses and lichens, rocks, peace and quiet and its cosy environment, it attracts guests fossils and much, much more. Experience the amazing calm from both Denmark and abroad. Out of season, there are that prevails when you get a little away from the village and Anholt only around 160 residents. the harbour. Most of the island is protected. That goes for Ørkenen Anholt Offshore Wind Farm – Denmark’s largest wind farm (heath) and the little brackish lake on Flakket. Anholt is rich At the Grenaa Harbour by the aquarium, Kattegatcentret, - an island with animal and plant life, but the island is best known for not far from where the ferry to Anholt departs, you find its colony of spotted seals. DjursWindGlobe. DjursWindGlobe is the digital exhibit about the offshore wind farm near Anholt for both adults and The first thing you notice when approaching Anholt, whether children and deals with how big a feat it is to build and run paradise in by boat or plane, is the crystal clear sea. Even where the sea an offshore wind farm. Anholt Offshore Wind Farm is one See the whole wind farm on a unique windmill cruise tour is many metres deep, stones and seaweed at the bottom can of Europe’s largest and includes an area of 88 km2 and clearly be seen. 111 windmills. Get up close to Denmark’s largest wind farm – Anholt Offshore Wind Farm – when Stena Nautica goes the fresh By day, the light is remarkably strong, and at night, there are out to the windmills during certain sailings in the spring and vast numbers of stars in the heavens.