In Sottrupskov, nature experiences in the forest and by the beach sit alongside a special chapter in Danish history. When planning, it helps to distinguish between a leisurely walk, longer hiking trails and the topics surrounding Nydam. That way, you can decide whether to focus your time on the coastal forest, historic sections of trail or Iron Age heritage.
Experience the forest and beach
Sottrup Storskov offers a leisurely walk through a coastal Danish beech forest. Historical remains shape the forest as much as its landscape. There are also the nature experiences by the beach and in the forest that make Sottrupskov distinctive. For a walk of a few kilometres, parking in Sottrupskov is an option; check local parking conditions before you travel.
This gives you different options: a walk in Storskov or a trail whose description connects several historic sites and landscapes. The distance alone does not tell you how much time to allow for your outing. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Sottrupskov, your planned walks and hikes can therefore be a helpful starting point for structuring your stay.
Hiking trails with different focuses
The 7-kilometre Nydamstien starts at Sottrup Storskov. Along the way, it passes the places where the Prussian army crossed to Als in rowing boats. The route continues past Sandbjerg Gods, which served as a Prussian headquarters during the 1864 war, and then by Nydam Mose. The trail thus links several specific sites in regional history; its length and starting point can help you decide whether this route suits your plans.
An accessible hiking trail leads from Sottrupskov to Sandbjerg and is part of both the Alssundstien and the Nydamstien. The Alssundstien runs along the western side of the Als Sund through the hilly moraine landscape near Sundeved and shares a section with the historic Nydamstien along the way. The descriptions highlight different aspects: the Nydamstien has a stated distance and starting point, while the route to Sandbjerg is described in terms of its accessibility and connection to two trails. The Alssundstien, in turn, places the route in the landscape around the Als Sund. This lets you choose a route based on what you would like to see along the way, without treating these trails as though they all had the same route profile.
Nydam: the Iron Age and the history of 1864
Nydam Mose contains three wooden boats as well as numerous weapons, tools and items of equipment from the Iron Age (250–550 AD). Nydam Tveir is an exact replica of the Nydam Boat, a sacrificial boat from the Iron Age found in Nydam Mose. The boathouse of Nydambåden is on the beach at the southern end of Sottrupskov. These three references—the find site, the replica and the boathouse—help distinguish between the different places and names.
Groups of all sizes can book visits that include explanations of the finds at Nydam Mose; arrangements are made with the association. A group visit can include an introduction and time aboard the boat. From May to September, you can experience Nydam Tveir on a rowing trip on the Als Sund with members of the boat association. Check the current rowing trip schedule before travelling if you would like to plan for this seasonal option. The bookable group visits at Nydam Mose are therefore different from the rowing trip on the Als Sund.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Sydals, Sønderborg, Augustenborg, Broager, Nordborg, Dalsgård, Stenderup, Bredsten.
For the main travel overview: Sønderborg Municipality.
