Three national parks in West Jutland

West Jutland is gaining a total of three national parks which will help to protect unique and valuable natural areas.

Denmark’s first national park is Nationalpark Thy. The park, which was opened on 22 August, is situated between the Liim Fjord and the North Sea. The 24,370-hectare area contains a wealth of unique natural landscapes such as dunes, dune heathland, dune afforestation, big lakes and, not least, Hanstholm deer reserve – the biggest such reserve in Denmark.

The establishment of Nationalpark Skjern Å is expected to commence here in autumn 2008. Skjern Å is northern Europe’s biggest restoration project. The national park area is home to numerous rare and threatened species of animals and plants whose habitats are the wetland and the open heathland. The Skjern Å salmon, which was close to extinction, lives in the river. Otters are also becoming more plentiful, and innumerable waterbirds breed in the Skjern marshes.

The third national park in West Jutland will be Nationalpark Vadehavet – the Wadden Sea National Park – which is expected to be established from spring 2009. The park will cover the Danish Wadden Sea, the islands of Rømø, Mandø and Fanø, Skallingen peninsula, Varde river valley and the diked-in marsh areas Tjæreborgmarsken, Ribemarsken, Tøndermarsken and Margrethe Kog. The Wadden Sea is an important resting and breeding place for millions of migratory birds. It is also an important habitat for fish and marine mammals.

The beautiful nature areas in the national parks can be experienced all year round. Set out on your own or take one of the many set tours with a nature guide. Further information is available from the relevant tourist bureau