Gyldensteen Strand

Fyn > Denmark

This 616 hectares area was previously dammed and is now Funen's largest nature restoration project. From seabed to agriculture and back again.

Added* by Maria Petersen
Most recent update 7 January 2023

Description

Gyldensteen Strand is a big nature restoration project. In the dammed-up area there were fields and agricultural land, but now the dikes are gone and the water has returned. The large Danish foundation Aage V. Jensen Naturfond has bought the area and recreated a shallow coastal lagoon, freshwater lake and a reed forest. The new wetlands attract breeding waders, ducks, geese, gulls and terns. The large number of resting waterfowl year-round attracts many birds of prey, including Peregrine Falcon, White-tailed Eagle and Hen Harrier. In a short period of time, Gyldensteen Strand has become one of Funen's best bird areas. There are good hiking trails in the area and there are bird observation towers. Among the birds you can encounter are Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Black-necked Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Avocet, Grey Plover, Eurasian Curlew, Common Snipe and many more, see the birdlist below.

Details

Access

Gyldensteen Strand can be reached from route 327 between Bogense and Vester Egense. From the road there is access to several car parks and look-out points. At Eriksholm there is a visitor centre. Eriksholm can be reached by turning off route 327 northwards along the road called Langø, about halfway along the stretch of road that passes the area. At the southern end of the road are a car park and a handicap car park. The road continues along the embankment to Eriksholm and the nature centre. From here, paths and cycle trails lead to several outlook posts. To the west is a bird observation post at the old pump station, with a view over the lagoon. To the east, trails through the plantation lead to the newly renovated mill Langø Mølle, which is now an outlook tower with a lovely panorama over “Reservatet” and the sea.

There is a car park next to the road at the eastern end of the area, from where one can reach a new handicap-friendly bird observation tower “Egensehytten” in the south eastern corner of the Engsø. In the western end of the area are a car park and a handicap-friendly bird observation tower.

Terrain and Habitat

Lake , Mud flats , Beach , Reedbeds , Sea

Conditions

Flat , Dry , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Can be useful

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Summer

Route

Paved road , Unpaved road , Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Extra info

You have the opportunity to hire a guide who will take you on a trip where you get to know a lot about the beautiful area. Contact VisitNordfyn on tel. 6481 2044 or send an email to info@visitnordfyn.dk to get in touch with the guides.

Links