A glacial tunnel valley, a mill lake and the Gendarme Path give Kruså a distinctive character for a stay centred on landscape, trails and border history. The local paths and sights can be explored from different perspectives: as a natural area, as part of a longer hiking route and as the setting for historical events.
Tunnel valley and Møllesø
The Kruså tunnel valley stretches for about 7.5 kilometres from Padborg to its mouth at the Flensburg Fjord. It was formed during the last ice age. Steep slopes define the valley, with springs emerging from them in many places. Further east of Kruså, larger ravines can be found near Klosterkløften and Slipskoven.
The Kruså Møllesø lies immediately south of Kruså in the tunnel valley. It covers 12 hectares and is about one metre deep on average. Its formation is linked to the operation of the mill: around 1625, the Kruså was dammed, creating the lake. Møllesø is also a protected site next to the former Kruså watermill.
Trails around Kruså
To take a loop around the lake, you can follow the Gendarme Path from the car park in the eastern part of Kruså Møllesø. The path climbs the hills south of the lake, crosses the Kruså southwest of the lake and returns to the starting point via Padborgvej. Kruså Møllesø thus connects a specific circular route with the wider Gendarme Path network.
Over its full length, the Gendarme Path runs from the Danish-German border at Padborg through Kollund, Gråsten, Broagerland and Vemmingbund, past Dybbøl, and onward to Sønderborg, Høruphav and Skovby on Als. It is also part of the long-distance hiking trail E1 from Rønsdam to Kruså and long-distance hiking trail E6, stages 16 onwards, from Høruphav to Kruså. On 5 May 2015, the Gendarme Path received the “Leading Quality Trail – Best of Europe” certification, making it the first European quality hiking route in Denmark.
Mill history and border memories
The present-day Kruså watermill was built in 1878. Local history also records that Kruså consisted of Krusågård, a watermill, a country inn and a few houses. The historic use of the mill and the present-day landscape are therefore closely connected at Møllesø.
Another chapter in the history of the border recalls the gendarme Aksel Sigurd Hansen. The memorial stone near the spot in Kruså where he died on duty in 1920 was unveiled in September 1924. The site links a specific act of remembrance with the history of border service.
More nature destinations nearby
Nine different fish species have been recorded in the Kruså, including sea trout and salmon. Nearby Kollund Skov also features steep slopes and deep ravines leading down to the Flensburg Fjord. These landscape features broaden the picture beyond the tunnel valley without conflating the different places.
North of Kruså lies Kelstrup Plantation, which covers just under 331 hectares and is crossed by the Gejl Å. The plantation is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders; dogs must be kept on a leash. The Diversitetsstien is an approximately 1.3-kilometre loop through woodland and meadows, suitable for families. Check trail details locally. A dog exercise area is also located in the eastern part of Kiskelund Plantation.
Getting to Møllesø
To get to Kruså Møllesø, take exit 74 on the E45 towards Kruså. Then follow Skrænten and, in Kruså, take Flensborgvej towards the border. Check the route on a map before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Mommark, Skelde, Skovby, Rinkenæs, Augustenborg, Mjels, Skovbyballe, Sønderborg.
For the broader travel overview: Sønderborg Municipality.
