West Jutland
West Jutland comprise the western part of central Jutland.
By definition, it is the area west of the Jutland Ridge in central Jutland. The Jutland Ridge, also known as the Jutland Esker, is a slightly elevated hilly ridge that runs down the middle of the Jutland peninsula. It was formed by glaciers at the end of the last Ice Age, and includes the highest hills in Denmark.
West Jutland is a rural area, and the least populated region in Denmark. As in North Jutland and South Jutland, the North Sea coast in West Jutland is very popular with holidaymakers in the summer.
Cities
The only city in West Jutland is Herning.
- 🌍 Herning — Formerly an important market town and agricultural and industrial powerhouse, Herning is now a regional center for trade, transport and education mostly. At only slightly more than 51,000 residents, Herning is a rather small city, but it is the largest settlement in all of West Jutland nontheless.
Towns
- 🌍 Holstebro — The town is wellknown for its cultural life and industry, even outside the region, and within the region, it is an important trade center as well, mostly retail. At around 37,000 residents, Holstebro is the next largest settlement in West Jutland.
Ordered by size, other interesting towns in West Jutland includes:
- 🌍 Skive — At a little more than 20,000 residents, Skive is the urban center for the peninsula of Salling (and the smaller peninsula of Nord-Fjends) in the Limfjord area. Skive is a very old settlement with a long history; the site has been inhabited continuously since at least the late Stone Age.
- 🌍 Hvide Sande — Traditional fishing town on the west coast in a peculiar location on a long, thin isthmus separating the North sea and an inland lagoon.
- Søndervig — small coastal town that swells with holidaymakers in the summer. Many holiday homes, a seaside water world resort with cabins for rent, hotels, and a campsite. The beach is great and very popular.
- 🌍 Ulfborg — a small city about 15 km from the west coast with many holiday homes for rent
- 🌍 Videbæk
- Hvide Sande Harbour
Other destinations
Special destinations within the region, includes:
- 🌍 Ringkøbing Fjord — Large shallow lagoon with several attractions. The lagoon is part of a wildlife reserve and an internationally important area for bird migrations. Explore the shallow waters by canoe, hide out in a watchtower and look out for special birds, acquire a fishing license and see if you can catch something interesting, or visit the recreated Viking harbour at Bork Vikingehavn.
- 🌍 Skjern Å National Park — The national park, that isn't a national park! Yes, this is weird. The Skjern Å river system was recreated to it's original pristine glory of meandering flows and wide wet meadows, and the entire delta was prepared to become one of Denmark's national parks. Everything went according to plan, but after all the work, locals decided that the area shouldn't be designated as national park anyway. In all practicality however, the Skjern Å river delta has everything a Danish national park needs and offers plenty of good nature experiences, hikes, or angling adventures. Book a shelter, and live the simple life in great nature, or go here for a one-day trip.
The Limfjord
The brackish water Limfjord inlet in the north of the region holds several points of interest, including two unique islands
- 🌍 Venø — popular holiday destination with good beaches, beautiful varied nature, and interesting hiking trails. Venø is known for its local lamb and Limfjord-oysters, as well as a dish called Venøbøf (Venø Steak). Holiday homes for rent, good campsite, and a nice marina for leisure boats. The island can be accessed by a small ferry from the town of Struer.
- 🌍 Fur — high cliffs and heather-covered hills. Unique geological formation renowned for its especially rich fossil finds from the Eocene. Experience some of the most interesting finds at Fur Museum. Fur Bryghus is a much appraised local micro-brewery. Rent a holiday home, use the campsite, or dock at the small harbour with your leisure boat. The island can be accessed by a small ferry from the top of the Salling peninsula.
The West Coast
The North Sea coast is ubiquitously known as Vestkysten (The West Coast) in Denmark.
The coast can be rough and tough in the autumn and winter seasons, but in the summer, the wide beautiful sandy beaches and shallow waters attract large crowds of joyful beach-goers. Some popular points along the coast are equipped with basic amenities such as lifeguard towers, beach cabins, or small shops and bathrooms. When the wind is strong, paragliders and surfers cheer. See the Do section for specific information on special beach spots.
Apart of the beaches, the West Coast offers plenty opportunity for good nature hikes, or bicycle trips, in the unique dune landscapes that form this region. Plenty of opportunity for angling, both lake fishing, coastal surf fishing, and sea fishing from boats if this is your thing.
Understand
The West Coast area is usually sparsely populated, as the rest of West Jutland, but in the summer it swells with tourists, as the beaches are very popular. The coastal area is packed with holiday homes for rent, but as the demand often exceeds the supply, it can be difficult to find a free one on a last moment's notice. German tourists, in particular, are very fond of the Danish West Coast in the summer, so in this part of West Jutland, you can expect most locals to speak at least some rudimentary German.
See
- 🌍 HEART - Herning Museum of Contemporary Art (on the eastside of Herning). Art exhibit with prominent contemporary art by Danish and international artists. The building sits in a cluster of other interesting art exhibits.
- 🌍 Tirpitz Museum Blåvand. A museum in a World War II German bunker. Learn about the Atlantic Wall and hear personal stories from the surrounding areas.
- 🌍 Naturkraft (northwest of the town of Ringkøbing). Edutainment park about nature, biodiversity and climate.
- 🌍 Hjerl Hede, Hjerlhedevej 14 7830 Vinderup (by car midway between Holsterbro and Skive), ☏ +45 9611 5030, info@hjerlhede.dk. 10:00 - 16:00 or 17.30 depending on season. Open-air museum about country life in Denmark from 1500 to 1900. 90 kr for an adult.
Nature
- 🌍 Tipperne (South of ringkøbing Fjord.). Watch birds at Tipperne, an important stopover for migratory birds.
- Tirpitz Museum
Do
- 🌍 Bork Vikingehavn (Southwest of the town of Skjern). Reconstructed Viking harbour town. Viking re-enactments and cultural activities. Great for kids and history enthusiasts.
Hiking
Beaches
Great and popular beaches in West Jutland includes:
- 🌍 Blåvand (west of Varde).
- 🌍 Henne Strand (Northwest from Varde). Amazing and popular beach. Campsite nearby, and a plethora of holiday homes.
- 🌍 Nymindegab Strand (At the bottom of Ringkøbing Fjord, southwest from the town of Skjern). Great coastal beach. Good opportunity for a nature hike or rent a canoe and explore the shallow lagoon of Ringkøbing Fjord. Angling in the brackish lagoon waters if you have a fishing license.
- 🌍 Søndervig (Just west of the town of Ringkøbing). Amazing beach at a small coastal town by the same name. International sand sculpture festival for ten days every year in early May.
- 🌍 Bækbygård.
- 🌍 Vedersø Klit. Another great beach. The area presents a good opportunity for nature hiking at the northern end.
- 🌍 Ferring Strand.
- 🌍 Vejlby Klit.
Eat
Apart from restaurants and regular eateries, West Jutland presents a number of local specialities:
- Dabs — Salted and wind-dried flatfish. This is a local delicacy in the fishing town of Hvide Sande that can be had in May specifically. Eaten in various ways; dabs with chives-sauce is popular.
- Venøbøf — Thin steaks cut from well-matured beef tenderloin, spiced with garlic, and fried very briefly on a hot pan. Served in various ways, and typically with both a yellow and a red dressing. The recipe originates from the island of Venø, where it can still be had at the local inn.
- Rulleål — Filleted eel, rolled with onion and parsley, and cooked in salty water. When cold, the eel-rolls are sliced and served with a special salad (lettuce with a dressing of cream, vinegar and a dash of sugar), and sometimes Danish dark ryebread. In a variation of the dish, known as Ål i gelé, the eel-rolls are jellied. Local delicacy from the Limfjord region.
- Ølben — Brined pork ribs are cooked with herbs and porter beer, and rested for days - then roasted and served with cabbage.
- Grønlangkål — Stewed kale in white sauce
Drink
- Fur Bryghus - much appraised micro-brewery on the island of Fur. Their quality beers can be enjoyed elsewhere in Denmark at a few well-assorted bars, but visiting the brewpub itself is an even better experience.
- Hancock - with a history dating back to 1876, this brewery is a pride for the town of Skive. Hancock only use Saaz hops and Danish malts for their beers, and they are also known for being quite strong. Their beers are available all over Denmark at well-assorted bars, but a guided tour at the brewery offers something extra.