8 top activities for nature lovers and adrenaline seekers
They have spent the night on top of a Land Rover at Møns Klint, climbed treetop courses at Gavnø, and gone on a night hike in a forest. Steven Mountfield has tested a wide range of nature experiences with his son Christopher. Here they share the highlights of their outdoor adventure.
#1 Mountain biking and hiking at Møns Klint
There was plenty of speed as we raced along the forest trails at Møns Klint on mountain bikes. It’s a truly breathtaking area with challenging terrain. In several places, tree roots stick up from the ground, and when you hit the steep climbs, you really have to push the pedals. You ride through the forest among tree trunks and can get right out to the edge of the cliff. The bikes are rented through GeoCenter Møns Klint, which also provides a guide. Afterwards, we satisfied our hunger with a delicious picnic basket from Villa Huno with the estate’s own Hereford beef and summer salads. In the afternoon, we walked the nearly 500 steps from the top of Møns Klint down to the beach and back up again, then to Møn’s highest point Aborrebjerget and hiked a small part of Klintekongens Rige, voted Europe’s best hiking route.
#2 Treetop climbing at Gavnø
Gavnø Go Fly is a climbing course at several levels with obstacles high above the ground. You climb from tree to tree via ropes, nets, zip lines, and hanging planks. We both have a fear of heights but still almost reached the highest level. It was great to be pushed out of our comfort zone and discover that we dared much more than we thought. Christopher sped ahead, so I just had to keep up.
#3 Fossil hunting in Faxe Quarry
Faxe Quarry was once covered by sea and coral reefs, so today you can make some incredible prehistoric finds. We were given a hammer and chisel by Geomuseum Faxe and then set out to search. Our nature guide examined all the small fossils we found with a magnifying glass, but unfortunately, there were no shark teeth among them. Visitors like us are often the ones who find the most interesting and rare discoveries, we were told.
#4 Seal spotting at Avnø
Avnø is a small peninsula with rich wildlife. Here we saw large flocks of birds, running hares, and seals out on the water through binoculars. Our guide from Avnø Nature Center was an experienced 80-year-old gentleman who knew all the best spots, so we covered quite a few kilometers. In the evening, we slept in a shelter at the tip of Avnø with a view over the fjord.
#5 Land Rover adventure on top of Møns Klint
It’s a bit of a boyhood dream for me to own a Land Rover, and that dream only grew stronger when Christopher and I drove off-road in one at Møns Klint. Camp Møns Klint had created the perfect atmosphere and put a cassette tape with Elvis’ greatest hits in the car radio, and then we drove out across the hilly landscape and greeted the cows. It was the ultimate feeling of freedom. As the sun set, we found a spot to park for the night and went to sleep in the rooftop tent.
#6 Stand-up paddle at Farø
When the wind blows, windsurfers fill Farø Kitespot. We arrived on a calm day and went stand-up paddleboarding instead. Møn Surf had wetsuits and paddleboards ready when we arrived, and we got a quick introduction. It was really easy to keep your balance on the board and a super fun family activity. We felt safe the whole time because you could still touch the bottom quite far out in the bay. Christopher paddled much further out than his father dared.
#7 Fishing trip and surfbike on Præstø Fjord
My children have always wanted to fish, but I’ve never known where to start. Which lures should you use, and how do you do it? That’s why it was fantastic to meet Martin from Flex Fishing, who knew exactly what it took to get something on the hook. We put on waders, got equipped with a fishing rod, and then stood patiently waiting for the day’s catch in Præstø Fjord. Suddenly, there was a bite, and Christopher pulled in a garfish, which we ate that same evening. After the fishing trip, we visited Eventyrbåde and saw Præstø from the water on a couple of surfbikes. It doesn’t get much more beautiful than the blue fjord and the green surroundings.
#8 Night hike on Møn
We went on a fantastic guided night hike in Ulvshale forest on Møn with Susanne from Naturguide Møn, who is a biologist and nature guide. We walked around in the dark forest, and it was amazing to experience how our senses gradually sharpened. Suddenly, we could see and hear better in the dark, and we heard both young tawny owls screeching and toads croaking. At times, the moon found its way through the trees, and Susanne told stories about the forest’s animals, cave people, the night sky, light, and darkness. At the end, we made a fire and drank cocoa with milk and honey.
