Voderup Klint

Terraced Cliffs Above the South Fyn Archipelago

Voderup Klint is one of Ærø’s most distinctive landscapes, a long, green cliff where the island suddenly falls away toward the Baltic Sea. The cliff runs for around three to three and a half kilometres along the south coast and rises to about 33 metres, high by local standards yet still intimate enough to feel close to the water. From above you see a wide horizon of sea and scattered islets, with ferries and yachts tracing slow lines across the view. What makes this place special is its terraced form. Instead of a single vertical drop, the land descends in giant grassy steps. Broad ledges run parallel to the sea, separated by steeper slopes, creating a kind of natural amphitheatre facing the waves. On a clear day the light plays beautifully across these levels, with shadows picking out each fold in the terrain.

Geological Story Written in Clay and Ice

The unusual stepped profile is the result of geology rather than human design. Voderup Klint sits in an area shaped by the last Ice Age, when glaciers pushed and folded layers of clay and till. Over time, sections of the cliff slowly slipped toward the sea in large landslides, but instead of collapsing completely, they settled into distinct terraces. This slow movement, repeated over thousands of years, produced the layered structure visible today. The cliff forms part of a wider belt of coastal bluffs around Ærø that help tell the story of the South Fyn Archipelago’s formation. Exposed faces of clay and soil reveal bands of different colours and textures, hinting at changing conditions as ice advanced and retreated. The site is recognised as a protected geological and landscape area, where natural processes are allowed to continue with minimal interference.

Walking the Stepped Landscape

A visit to Voderup Klint is largely about walking and pausing. Paths lead along the top edge of the cliff, across fields and meadows, with frequent spots to stop at benches or simply sit in the grass. From here, the eye sweeps over the Baltic, the sky often huge and open, with shifting clouds and the occasional sea eagle or flock of migrating birds overhead. From the upper path, smaller tracks descend to the intermediate terraces. These broad shelves feel sheltered and slightly removed, offering a different perspective as you look both up to the farmland and down toward the beach. The gradients can be uneven and occasionally muddy after rain, so footwear with some grip is useful, but the distances are modest and lend themselves to unhurried exploration.

Sea, Shore and Changing Light

At the foot of the cliff, a narrow shore of stones and patches of sand lines the water. Here the waves are usually gentle, lapping against rounded rocks, but wind can quickly roughen the surface, adding drama to the scene. Driftwood, seaweed and shells collect along the high-tide line, and in quieter corners you may spot wading birds picking through the shallows. The atmosphere changes throughout the day. Morning light can be soft and silvery, while late afternoon often warms the colour of the clay and grasses. On calm evenings, the sea may turn glassy, reflecting pastel skies as the sun lowers toward the horizon. Even in blustery weather the site has appeal, with the wind pushing across the open slopes and the sound of surf and rustling grass filling the air.

Protected Nature and Quiet Contemplation

Because Voderup Klint is a protected area, the management is light-handed. Cattle or sheep sometimes graze sections of the terraces, helping keep the slopes open and maintaining habitats for wildflowers and insects. Seasonal blooms dot the grass, and in summer butterflies move between patches of colour. Visitors are encouraged to stay on established paths and treat the area gently so that erosion and disturbance remain minimal. Despite its significance, the cliff retains a peaceful, low-key character. There are no large buildings on the edge to distract from the views, only a few simple amenities and signs. The setting invites slow wandering, quiet conversation or solitary reflection, whether you come for an hour’s walk or to sit with a thermos and watch the weather move across the Baltic. It is both a showcase of Ærø’s natural heritage and a place to experience the island’s understated coastal beauty at its most authentic.