The following are some of the ways to get in touch with each otherAs we strolled along the sun-drenched woodland paths, Michael, our knowledgeable guide began to explain the connections between local geology and the flora. The beech trees’ unusually bright light green leaves? This is due to the lack magnesium in the chalky ground. There are 18 different species of wild orchids here. “That’s high calcium content. “You see?” You see?
That’s a phrase my companion and I kept hearing at Møns Klint on the Danish island of Møn. The glaciers of the last ice ages carved out this unique landscape, which is a four-mile-long (6km) stretch consisting of hills and cliffs, topped with a forest covering 700 hectares (1,730-acres). In 2026, a Unesco committee will decide whether Møns Klint (“the cliffs of Møn”) should be awarded world heritage site status, safeguarding it for future generations.
Using Interrail passes, we took the train from London to Vordingborg (Møn’s nearest railway station) via the Eurostar, with overnight breaks in Cologne going out and Odense, Denmark’s third-largest city, coming back. There’s an efficient bus service both from Vordingborg station to Møn (over an impressive bridge) and on the island itself but, for maximum flexibility, we hired electric bikes Stege. About 12 miles from Møns Klint, Stege has been Møn’s main town since early medieval times. Stege is home to ancient ramparts, a medieval castle and an impressive old town. bijou museumIt’s the perfect place to shop, as most of the shops on the island are located along the high street.
One wind-and-battery-assisted pedal to Møns Klint later and Michael was taking us about 500 steps down to the beach, the scene of cliff collapses so immense that the spoil sometimes forms peninsulas sticking out a quarter of a mile into the sea. Slowly dissolving chalk turns the water near the shore milky white and gives it a distinct Mediterranean flavour. Almost every stone we picked up was a 30m-year-old fossil of some sort – Michael identified squid, sea sponges, sea urchins and oysters.
Another day we spent meandering along Klintekongens Rige, the longest of Møns Klint’s nine waymarked footpaths. The nine mile circular trail sent us up, down, up and back down through the forest. It also took us into the 18th century “romantic” gardens of Liselund where we heard the soprano singing of peacocks in contrast to the bass-heavy sound of frogs. Finally it led to a stretch of sandy beach with plenty of opportunities to climb over fallen trees or mounds of rock.
We met at the end of the day when it was dark. night-time guide SusanneWe were led into the forest by a guide who explained the cries from tawny and scrabbling noises (the owls potential dinner). The islands of Møn and Nyord form Scandinavia’s first Dark Sky ParkSusanne prepared a gin and Tonic with wild rose petals and mint from her garden.
We explored the area in the morning. mountain bike trails Uffe is a guide like Michael from the GeoCenterThe local interpretive museum, where an exhibition on biodiversity has the appropriate title “Everything Is Connected” He pointed out beautiful displays of lady orchis and a goat herd whose grazing improved biodiversity. After barely breaking a sweat we were suddenly out of the forest and on top of Denmark’s 8th highest peak. Aborrebjerg is a humble 143m high, but still provided us with panoramic views across Møn and the shimmering sea. Kesia took us paddleboarding from Klintholm Havn. Møn SurfFrom a different perspective, you can appreciate the magnificence of the chalk cliffs.
At night, we slept in a modern and stylish apartment at the nearby Villa Huno – an eco-build with a living roof and a view over a peaceful lake. After a stroll around the eco-build, we came across a woodpecker watching over the remains of an old medieval fort. Then, we enjoyed a delicious meal in Koral – Villa Huno’s only summer restaurant. After a couple of nights we switched to a well-appointed bell tent next door at Camp Møns Klint. Then, as a base for exploring the island of Møn further, we pedalled west to Ellevilde boutique hotel. Kirstine and Kenneth, the new owners of Restaurant 56 Degrees in Copenhagen, recently relocated to Mon. Kenneth’s small plates blew us away – imagine a Danish Ottolenghi – with many ingredients from the garden or neighbouring farms. The sweet pickled rhubarb and onion salad, and crisp herby breads served with gazpacho were unforgettable.
After Newsletter Promotion
Møns Klint represents a mere sliver of the island of Møn, so we spent our last day exploring its mostly flat countryside on our electric bikes. The island’s main road is paralleled by a cycle path, and the roads we took were almost entirely car-free. This made for an enjoyable experience. We watched hares race along hedges, marvelled at the eccentric medieval frescos of Elmelunde Church and bought ceramics from a friendly pottery called JacobThen we stopped by the flea markets that islanders have in their front gardens.
We watched the lapwings playing and visited the island Nyord, which has a population of 35. Denmark’s smallest museum. The former lookout station is not much larger than the average telephone booth, but it tells the story of those who guided the boats through the perilous Straits in the vicinity.
We dropped into Nyord (the only village in Nyord) to see what it was like. Noorbohandelen For some rum-mustard, one of many flavoured varieties which are a speciality in the area. We enjoyed their colourful shelves filled with bottles of all kinds of spirits, made in-house, before enjoying a colourful salad alfresco, while swallows soared joyfully above us.
The trip was organized by southzealand-mon.com, Travel is a great way to meet new people. Providing by Interrail. An Interrail Global Pass for 4 days travel within a month costs £241 Adults, £217-year-olds, £180 12-27s, 4-11s Enjoy a free adult. Villa Huno has apartments from £145 A night. Camp Møns Klint has tent pitches with electricity from £40 A night. Ellevilde boutique Double the hotel’s occupancys from £119 A night
