A beautiful day on the Danish coast
In September we spent a week in North Jutland. It was exactly the kind of week that I associate with Denmark: peaceful, spacious and filled with days of changing weather. Not too warm, perfect for being outdoors – and those windy days are what make the Danish coast so special to me. The light shifts constantly, the sound of the waves fills the air and the landscape feels different every single minute. There is something about Denmark and Scandinavia that keeps drawing me in. It’s the calm, the space, and the people who still take the time for a friendly chat.
We had rented a holiday home near Slettestrand. Renting a house in Denmark is our ideal base: peaceful, comfortable and with plenty of space in the evenings to process photos. It slows the days down in a good way. From Slettestrand you can go in any direction – forests, cliffs, beaches and dunes. A perfect place to spend a week exploring nature.
Location and route
Bulbjerg Knude is a striking limestone cliff on the north coast of Denmark. It is one of the few real rock formations in the country, giving the landscape here a completely different character. The area lies along the so-called Jammerbugt Bay, surrounded by wide beaches, beautiful dune areas and forests.
Our route started in Lild Strand. From the fishing village you can simply walk along the beach towards Bulbjerg. With strong wind you immediately understand why this is a favourite spot for nature and coastal photographers. The waves crash onto the shore and the sky shifts from soft pastel to heavy grey. The cliff slowly rises in the distance, becoming higher and more imposing as you approach.
An encounter with a seal
I know this place from the videos of Morten Hilmer, a Danish wildlife photographer who lives in this region and often visits Bulbjerg. His love for nature – and his way of living – deeply resonate with me, so it felt almost natural to experience this place for myself. (His channel is highly recommended: youtube.com/@MortenHilmer).
On the day of our walk the wind was strong. The beach was wide and empty, the sea restless and foaming. As we approached Bulbjerg we saw something lying on a ledge of sand and stones. A seal. It was sheltering from the wind, high enough to stay safe from the waves – yet low enough that every big wave washed foam over its body.
We kept plenty of distance. We didn’t want to disturb the animal or force it back into the wild sea. But even from afar it was a special moment. The light, the wind, the foam, the way the seal rested while the elements raged around it. I switched lenses and mounted my Nikon 100–400mm so I could photograph it from a safe distance. I wanted to capture the scene and show how it tried to shield itself from the rough water.
Walking through beach and dunes
The planned route was simple but beautiful: from Lild Strand to Bulbjerg Knude along the beach, and back through the dunes. This gives you two completely different landscapes. The beach feels wide, raw and exposed; the dunes feel quiet, sheltered and warm in colour.
The return through the dune landscape shows just how varied this coastline is. Narrow paths, marram grass moving in the wind and here and there a view across the heath. It’s the kind of area where you could easily keep walking for hours.
Accommodation and surroundings
Our holiday home near Slettestrand turned out to be a perfect choice. It’s a beautiful region with many walking and cycling paths. It’s also ideal for photography: from here you can reach every direction, and in the evenings there’s time and space to select and edit images. Denmark always feels relaxed and spacious – exactly why we love coming here. It feels like home.
The coastline around Slettestrand and Thorupstrand is a wonderful area to explore. Fishing boats on the shore, wide dunes and quiet trails everywhere. Or pay a visit to Rubjerg Knude, the lighthouse that was nearly claimed by the sea. Read more about that place in this story.
Best time to visit
North Jutland is beautiful year-round, but September was perfect for us. Temperatures are pleasant, the light is soft and there are enough windy days to really experience the coastline. In summer it may be busier at some beaches, but even then this region rarely feels crowded.
In conclusion
Bulbjerg Knude turned out to be one of those places you visit for the tranquility but leave with far more than you expected. A rugged hike, shifting light, wide beaches – and then suddenly an encounter with a seal you won’t forget anytime soon. Moments like these are why Denmark is one of my favourite countries to photograph nature.
Looking for more inspiration? Read my articles on other coastal and nature areas, or browse through my photo books in the shop. For example: Himmelbjerget – Autumn colours around Silkeborg, Rubjerg Knude lighthouse – photographing the Danish coast, or my book Denmark – Land of the Sea | Photo book of coast & nature. You can also find fine art prints like this one: Resting – Fine art print of fishing boats at Thorup Strand, Denmark.
Location on the map
Pictures say more than words:
Extra information:
- Visit Nordvestkysten – visitnordvestkysten.dk
- Bulbjerg information – visitdenmark.nl
- Jammerbugt – jammerbugt.dk
- Morten Hilmer YouTube – youtube.com/@MortenHilmer