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Discovering the Danish countryside
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The Danish countryside is richly varied. In a country so closely associated with the sea and waterways, the coastal regions are distinctive features of the landscape. The tall dunes and sandy beaches alternate with salt meadows, flat marshlands and steep cliffs, at the top of which the beech casts its reflection into the blue waves below.
The shape of the land was wrought by the greatest landscape architect of all – the ice-age glacier that created the moorland, woodland, hills and dales, lakes and fascinating wetlands. In Denmark deep countryside is never far away, and is even there to be explored in the cities where the parks are green havens in which the locals take time out to enjoy the sunshine.
The Danish Protection of Nature ActThe Danes enjoy getting around and are often out and about in the countryside on picnics or hiking in the historic moorlands, or cycling down slopes and through the picturesque river valleys, or on fishing trips to lakes, rivers or coastal locations. The Danish Protection of Nature Act contains guidelines for access to the countryside. But its aim is not only to protect nature but also to give us greater access to the wonder of the natural world. Read more on the Nature Act.
Denmark is a green country in more than one sense. The Danes take good care of the natural diversity of their country and are known worldwide for their environmental awareness. In Denmark you can safely turn on the tap and enjoy fresh, clean drinking water.
Blue FlagThe more than 7300km-long coastline offers visitors plenty of wonderful bathing beaches, of which 188 have applied for and been granted the Blue Flag that signals clean water for bathers. Alternatively, tether the yacht at one of the 79 marinas where the same blue flag will be flying. The Blue Flag is an internationally recognised symbol indicating that the water is clean and that the marina satisfies a number of stringent environmental requirements. But the water is also clean where you do not see the Blue Flag. Out of the whole length of coastline there are only 8km where bathing is prohibited.
The organisation, Destination 21 was founded in 1997 to help promote sustainable tourism development at a destination level. A destination that have earned the label of “Destination 21” develops its tourism so that it takes account not only of the natural world and the landscape, but also helps to foster a new appreciation of cultural values for the benefit of local inhabitants and tourists alike.
The natural wayOne of the distinctive features of a Destination 21 is that it must be possible to get around without using a car for transport. Nature is best appreciated when travelling on foot, by bike, canoe or kayak. This is the way to enjoy it close up without the sides of the car between you and the open air, and this form of transport is in itself an all-natural experience. A Destination 21 can be a municipality or a large region in which the business community, tourism and public authorities work together to develop the region into a sustainable destination that will be environmentally, economically and socially equitable.
Car-drivers are not barred from seeing the best side of Denmark. Brown-white-yellow Marguerite signs mark the Marguerite Route, which takes you on a 3,500-km long drive through the country. Travelling along minor country roads you pass more than 200 of our major attractions – not to mention picturesque villages, hilltops with breathtaking views, airy beechwoods and much, much more!
In Denmark much dedicated effort is put into making hotels, hostels and camping sites and holiday homes environmentally sound. The Green Key is a diploma to certify that a hotel, holiday centre, camping site or hostel satisfies no fewer than 55 environmental requirements. Internationally, The Green Key is regarded as one of the world’s leading environmental certifications for the tourism industry. More and more hotels, holiday centres, camping sites, country inns and hostels are being awarded The Green Key. Read more about The Green Key.
Organic farmsFarm holidays are another type of green holiday. In many places in Denmark you can visit organic farms to see how ecology works in practice and even sample the produce in the farm shop.
Tent pitches To experience nature in Denmark at close range there are also 700 tent pitches for hikers, cyclists and sailing/canoeing enthusiasts. The pitches are primitive, with just the basic facilities in the form of running water, toilets and camp-fire site. It costs just DKK 15/EUR 3 for a pitch for one night. Read more about primitive camp sites.
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