Øer Maritime Havn is the only harbor in Denmark that you enter through a lock. The lock chamber measures 7 × 30 meters and is filled or emptied within a few minutes. For a trip to the Islands, it is a distinctive technical point of interest: the harbor and lock add a subject of their own alongside the landscape and trails. Check the latest operating information before visiting, as operating details may change.
Traces of raw-material extraction
Øer Havn was built in an artificial lake where raw materials were once extracted. The Øer Stien runs through a former extraction area, where sand, gravel, ral and stones were extracted from 1935 to 1974. Along the trail, old extraction pits are visible as elongated, parallel lakes separated by narrow strips of land. The area's former raw-material extraction can thus be viewed from two perspectives: as part of the history behind the artificial lake and as a history of land use in the area crossed by the trail.
Hiking through changing landscapes
The Øer Stien passes through wetlands, birch forest, beach and heathland. This makes it an option for hikers who want to experience different landscape types along the way. Øer Maritime Havn is also a good starting point for walks through heathland, sandy terrain and small woods. Here, unlike on the trail, the harbor's role as a starting point takes center stage. At Øreflak ved Øer, there is a stopping place on the Gåsehage section.
Bird migration, monuments and architecture
Øer is considered a good place to observe bird migration. The shallow coastal waters by Øer Maritime Ferieby and the lock are used by seabirds, waders and migratory birds. These details answer different questions: bird migration is a seasonal nature topic, while the information about the waters identifies specific areas used by these groups of birds.
At Svarthøje, the protected area includes not only the previously protected Svarthøje, but also the remains of five ploughed-over burial mounds. Together, they are considered an important prehistoric monument from the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Øer Maritime Ferieby offers a different historical perspective: the complex dates from 1988 and was designed by the architectural firm Friis & Moltke. Thus, prehistoric heritage and more recent architectural history represent distinctly different periods.
Plan your stay around your interests
When looking for a holiday apartment on the Islands, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: hiking, nature observation, or history and architecture? The shared connection to former raw-material extraction links the creation of the artificial lake at Øer Havn with the area crossed by the Øer Stien. Bird migration and the historical topics offer other distinct areas of interest. If you plan to include the lock's operation in your trip, check the latest operating information in advance.
Discover more destinations: Handrup, Ugelbølle, Følle, Fuglsø, Skovgårde, Esby, Begtrup, Fuglslev
Go to the overview of the wider area: Syddjurs Municipality.
