At 376 hectares, Stubbe Sø is Djursland’s largest lake and gives a nature and birdwatching trip a clear focus. The lake occupies a water-filled kettle hole. Its history dates back to the Stone Age, when the kettle hole formed the innermost part of a small fjord that extended inland from the coast south of Jernhatten to where the lake is today. This means there are several aspects to consider when planning a visit: the formation of the landscape, the views across the water, and the wildlife.

Landscape and protected area

Stubbe Sø is designated by the EU as a NATURA 2000 site. Its natural habitats require special attention and protective measures. You can explore the protected area along a marked footpath that passes through mixed woodland, across open land, and down to the meadow and lakeshore. The route takes in a variety of landscapes, rather than limiting your visit to views from the shore. There is also a photography hide with a water basin in the nature reserve, which is open to everyone.

Birdwatching by the lake

There is a covered birdwatching tower at the southeastern corner of Stubbe Sø. Openings on three sides offer views across most of the lake, the reeds, and the trees at the eastern end. The tower offers the best views of the lake and its birdlife. It is about 300 metres from the car park on Stubbe Søvej.

Birdwatchers may see large flocks of tufted ducks, pochards, goldeneyes, mallards, and greylag geese, as well as great crested grebes, coots, and cormorants. White-tailed eagles and ospreys may also be spotted, although at different times: white-tailed eagles are regularly seen throughout the year, while ospreys are occasionally spotted during migration periods. You can take this seasonal difference into account when choosing when to visit, without expecting the same sightings in every season.

Trails of different lengths

The Stubbe Sø Øst trail is 2.4 kilometres long and passes a shelter and a birdwatching tower overlooking the lake. The public Gravlevstien trail is longer, at 8 kilometres, and runs from Ebeltoft to Gravlev along a former railway line. Among other places, Gravlevstien provides access to the birdwatching tower at Stubbe Sø. Shortly after Havmølle Å, a side path also leads down from Gravlevstien to the lake. The two trails differ considerably in length and route, so they should be planned as separate options.

There is a car park on Møllebækvej near Gravlev for access to the nature reserve. The entire route to the protected area is signposted from there. This is a different approach from the roughly 300 metres between the car park on Stubbe Søvej and the birdwatching tower. If you have a particular viewpoint in mind, it is worth treating the relevant car park and trail as a separate choice when planning your visit.

Accommodation: shelter or holiday apartment

There are two shelters east of Stubbe Sø, each with around 5–6 sleeping places. There is also a composting toilet and a fire pit. When planning an overnight stay, it is important to note the difference between the shelters: Shelter 1 can be booked, while Shelter 2 is used on a first come, first served basis. The approximate number of sleeping places gives you an idea of capacity; the different rules determine whether booking is available.

A shelter is a different type of accommodation from a holiday apartment. The best option for your trip depends on whether you plan to stay in one of the two shelters or are looking for a holiday apartment. When planning your day, you can consider the trail length, a visit to the birdwatching tower, and time spent watching birds by the lake together, without combining the different routes into a single trail.

Discover more destinations: Skovgårde, Følle, Ebeltoft, Fuglsø, Thorsager, Knebel, Elsegårde, Hornslet

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