Naturkalv – Borreby Nature Preserve
A small protected pasture on Odense’s rural fringe, where grazing cattle, open fields and simple footpaths create a quietly authentic slice of Funen nature.
Tucked on the rural edge of southwest Odense, Naturkalv – Borreby is a small protected nature preserve where open fields, hedgerows and pastureland meet pockets of wild Danish countryside. This quietly managed area is used for nature-friendly cattle grazing, which helps keep the landscape open and biodiverse. It is an unpretentious spot for a peaceful stroll, a look at everyday Danish farmland nature, and a breath of fresh Funen air away from the city streets.
A brief summary to Naturkalv - Borreby
- Store Markvej 8, Odense Municipality, Odense SV, 5250, DK
- +4542195530
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
- Monday 12 am-12 am
- Tuesday 12 am-12 am
- Wednesday 12 am-12 am
- Thursday 12 am-12 am
- Friday 12 am-12 am
- Saturday 12 am-12 am
- Sunday 12 am-12 am
Local tips
- Wear waterproof or sturdy footwear, as paths and field edges can be muddy or uneven, especially after rain.
- If you meet grazing cattle, give them space, move calmly and avoid walking directly between animals and their herd mates.
- Bring binoculars for low-key birdwatching along hedgerows and drainage ditches, particularly in spring and autumn.
- Pack water and snacks; there are no kiosks or cafes at the preserve itself, only basic rural surroundings.
Getting There
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Car from central Odense
From central Odense, driving to Naturkalv – Borreby typically takes 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. The route uses standard city and local roads and is suitable for any regular car. Parking is usually along rural roadside verges or small informal pull-offs near the address, so be prepared for limited marked spaces and take care not to block farm access. Fuel and supermarkets are available in Odense before you leave the city.
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Local bus plus short rural walk
Public buses from Odense center towards the southwestern districts take about 20–35 minutes, depending on the specific line and timetable. Expect a short rural walk at the end, typically 10–20 minutes along pavements and country roads, with no steep gradients but potentially narrow verges. Standard city bus tickets in Odense are usually in the range of 20–40 DKK for a one-way adult fare; check current zone coverage before boarding.
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Cycling from Odense
Cycling from the central city to Naturkalv – Borreby takes around 30–45 minutes for most riders, following a mix of cycle paths and quieter country roads. The terrain is mostly flat with gentle rolling sections, so it is manageable for casual cyclists with basic fitness. Wind can significantly affect the effort, and in wet or dark conditions visibility and road spray become important, so bring lights, reflective gear and a waterproof layer.
Naturkalv - Borreby location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
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Windy Conditions
Discover more about Naturkalv - Borreby
A quiet slice of countryside on Odense’s edge
Naturkalv – Borreby sits just outside the built-up parts of Odense, where the city thins into scattered farms and open fields. At first glance it looks like typical Funen farmland, but this patchwork of meadows, ditches and hedgerows has been set aside as a protected nature area. There are no grand gates or landmark buildings here; instead the attraction lies in the subtle textures of a living rural landscape. You walk into low, open terrain shaped by centuries of agriculture and, more recently, by deliberate conservation. Shallow depressions hold wetter ground, reeds and rough grasses, while slightly higher spots carry a mix of pasture species and wildflowers in season. The atmosphere is relaxed and low-key, the kind of place where the rhythm of the day is marked more by the wind and passing clouds than by human noise.Grazing cattle as landscape gardeners
The name "Naturkalv" hints at how the area is maintained: calves and cattle are used as natural managers of the vegetation. Rather than mowing or intensive farming, controlled grazing keeps the grass sward open, prevents scrub from taking over and allows different plant communities to coexist. In practice this means you may share the paths with curious cows watching you from a distance. Their presence has a clear ecological purpose. By nibbling some plants and trampling others, the animals create micro-habitats for insects, ground-nesting birds and small mammals. In summer the grazed patches buzz with invertebrate life, providing food further up the food chain. It is an everyday example of how traditional farm practices can be adapted to modern conservation goals.Subtle nature-watching and seasonal changes
Naturkalv – Borreby is not about spectacular viewpoints or dramatic cliffs. The rewards here are smaller: the call of a skylark above an open field, the sudden flush of hares across a track, or the shifting colours of meadow plants from spring greens to late-summer golds. Bring binoculars if you enjoy spotting birds along hedgerows and drainage channels, especially during migration periods. Because the area is open and largely treeless, the sky feels expansive. On clear days you can watch weather fronts move across the landscape; on windy afternoons the grasses ripple as if the whole meadow were a single surface. After rain, low-lying patches may become muddy or puddled, but that same moisture draws frogs, insects and the birds that feed on them.Walking, fresh air and simple outdoor time
Paths and farm tracks around the preserve invite short, unhurried walks rather than long-distance hikes. Underfoot, expect a mix of compacted earth, grass and, in places, uneven or soggy ground. This is a place to amble, pause and look, rather than to tick off sights. Simple pleasures dominate: the smell of damp soil after a shower, the crunch of frozen ground in winter, or the warmth radiating from sunlit banks in late spring. Families often appreciate the open surroundings, where children can run within sight across low fields, and adults can enjoy a modest dose of nature without committing to remote terrain. Dog walkers, if permitted under current local rules, should keep animals leashed to avoid disturbing grazing cattle and wildlife.Protected land in an everyday setting
As a designated protected nature area, Naturkalv – Borreby contributes to the wider network of small reserves scattered across Funen. It shows how conservation does not always mean untouched wilderness; here, human use and protection overlap. Fences, gates and simple agricultural infrastructure sit alongside wet meadows and rough pasture, illustrating a working landscape that still leaves room for wild species. Visitors are expected to follow standard countryside etiquette: respecting fences, avoiding disturbance to animals and carrying out any litter. There are no built attractions on site, which keeps the focus on the land itself and its quiet, ongoing story of coexistence between farming and nature.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Det gamle vandtårn
6.9 km
A striking red-brick monument to Odense's industrial heritage and early 20th-century urban modernization.
EM-statue-1992 (Richard Møller Nielsen)
9.4 km
Small in size but huge in symbolism, this Odense statue honours the local coach who led Denmark to its unforgettable Euro 1992 triumph.
Kirsebærtræer, Ny Kongevej
10.3 km
Odense's longest cherry blossom avenue, where community passion transforms a neighborhood street into springtime magic.
TheDoorOdense
10.5 km
Experience innovative architecture and 600 years of seafaring history at the award-winning M/S Maritime Museum, nestled below Helsingør’s iconic waterfront.
visit
10.5 km
Experience Odense's premier cocktail bar, Visit, where classic and innovative drinks meet in a cozy, inviting atmosphere.
Papirbåden | H.C. Andersen
10.6 km
A delicate paper boat turned gleaming sculpture, Papirbåden floats on Odense’s Fairytale Garden lake, quietly celebrating H.C. Andersen’s “Steadfast Tin Soldier.”
Oceania
10.6 km
A bold, reclining bronze goddess that provokes, delights, and defines Odense's artistic identity.
Skyggen, rejseskammeraten og improvisatoren
11.0 km
A towering, threefold portrait of Hans Christian Andersen that greets you outside Odense Station with colour, symbolism and quietly dramatic storytelling.
Odense St.
11.0 km
Central rail and bus hub of Funen, Odense Station links Denmark’s mainlines with the city’s historic heart, light rail and cultural sights in one integrated complex.
H. C. Andersen skulptur i havnen
11.4 km
A submerged bronze protest against bureaucracy, honouring Denmark's greatest storyteller beneath the harbour.
Jernalderlandsbyen Odins Odense
12.3 km
Discover Danish and international art at Bredgade Kunsthandel, an elegant gallery in central Copenhagen’s historic Frederiksstaden near top cultural landmarks.
Fredens Kirke
12.4 km
Explore Denmark's rich maritime heritage in an award-winning museum set within a historic dry dock in Helsingør.
Sanderumgaard v/Erik Vind
15.7 km
Discover Sanderumgaard, Funen’s enchanting Romantic-era landscape park: a blend of historic estate, poetic gardens, and serene lakes just beyond Odense.
Rolfshøj
16.7 km
A quiet Neolithic long barrow in the fields near Ferritslev Fyn, where a simple stone chamber and grassy mound bring Funen’s prehistoric past close at hand.
Besættelsesmuseum Fyn... Besættelsesmuseum Fyn er kun åben den første søndag i måneden fra kl 11 til 15.
17.3 km
An immersive, architecturally acclaimed underground museum in Helsingør, bringing Denmark’s rich maritime history to life beside the legendary Kronborg Castle.
Unmissable attractions to see
Lundegård
5.8 km
Quiet Funen manor with centuries of history, a charitable legacy and occasional cozy markets set among barns, gardens and open farmland near Broby.
Marie-Kilden
7.5 km
A small historic spring hidden in Odense’s riverside green belt, Marie-Kilden offers a quiet glimpse of parish history and folklore amid trees, paths and gentle birdsong.
Brickworks
7.8 km
A small creative brick studio in southern Odense where Danish design spirit meets hands-on LEGO-style imagination in a low-key, family-friendly setting.
Parsonage
7.8 km
Experience authentic 18th-century Danish village life through restored buildings, costumed interpreters, and hands-on traditional crafts.
The Funen Village
8.0 km
Step into a living Funen countryside village of thatched farms, mills, orchards and heritage animals, where 18th- and 19th-century rural Denmark comes vividly to life.
Odense Dyrskueplads
8.2 km
Odense’s flexible fairground, where quiet open fields transform into bustling arenas for Det Fynske Dyrskue, major concerts and large outdoor events.
Bøgetoppen i Odense Zoo
8.3 km
A gentle treetop adventure above Odense Zoo, Bøgetoppen lets you wander through the beech canopy, combining forest views, local nature stories and family-friendly fun.
Odense Zoo
8.4 km
Leafy riverside zoo in Odense where manatees, penguins and savannah wildlife meet treetop walks, play areas and hands-on encounters in a certified green attraction.
Bolbro vartegn
9.1 km
A slender steel silhouette on Bolbro Bakke, Bolbro Vartegn keeps the memory of Odense’s lost Odinstårnet alive as a compact, contemporary neighborhood landmark.
Fyns Militærhistoriske Museum
9.1 km
Compact military museum in Odense’s former barracks, tracing 400 years of Funen’s soldiers, resistance and overseas missions through objects, stories and uniforms.
Richard Møller Nielsens Plads
9.4 km
A modest suburban square in Odense V that quietly honours Denmark’s Euro 1992 coach beside the city’s main football stadium complex.
Glisholm Sø
9.4 km
Odense's largest lake where climate resilience meets natural beauty and community recreation.
Gerthasminde
9.8 km
A hidden royal villa set amidst the enchanting palace gardens of Marselisborg in Aarhus, where Danish history and tranquil beauty harmoniously meet.
Skjoldsparken bålsted 1
9.8 km
Community sports park in Odense's spirited western neighbourhood, where local pride and Nordic heritage meet recreational opportunity.
Munke Mose Park
9.9 km
Lakes, lawns and fairytales along Odense River, Munke Mose Park is the city’s easygoing green refuge for picnics, play and riverside wandering.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Carlslund
7.9 km
Historic forest inn serving legendary Danish æggekage and traditional Funen cuisine in a charming woodland setting.
Sortebro Kro
7.9 km
Thatched-roof country inn on Odense’s historic edge, blending classic Danish kro charm with refined, seasonal fine dining and warmly polished hospitality.
Restaurant Wienerstuen
8.2 km
Unpretentious Danish comfort food in a cosy Odense C neighborhood restaurant, serving hearty classics and generous portions from late morning into the evening.
Restaurant Bondestuen
8.2 km
Historic half-timbered traktørsted in Odense C serving hearty traditional Danish dishes in a cosy, rustic setting with the feel of a local countryside inn.
Restaurant Knudsens Gaard
9.6 km
Refined Danish cuisine in a half-timbered hotel farmhouse, where seasonal Funen produce meets candlelit country-house ambience on Odense’s tranquil south side.
Café Cuckoo's Nest
10.2 km
Odense's vibrant brasserie where weekend brunches, grilled steaks, and convivial gatherings meet pedestrian-friendly charm.
Mona Lisa
10.2 km
Cozy Italian trattoria tucked into Odense’s artsy Brandts Passage, serving generous pastas, crisp pizzas and classic antipasti in a warm, candlelit setting.
Kong Volmer Odense
10.2 km
Authentic Danish smørrebrød and lunch tradition in Odense's cultural heart.
Pasfall
10.3 km
Refined French-inspired fine dining in Odense’s atmospheric Brandts Passage, where seasonal Nordic ingredients, precise cooking and relaxed elegance turn meals into occasions.
Marcello's
10.3 km
All‑day café life on Odense’s main pedestrian street, blending generous brunches, comfort food and cocktails with a warm, urban brasserie feel.
The Burger Odense
10.3 km
Quality flame-grilled burgers in casual comfort at the heart of Odense.
I Pupi Siciliani
10.3 km
Intimate Sicilian restaurant in central Odense, serving seasonal tasting menus, handmade pasta and robust southern Italian flavours in a warm, candlelit setting.
Marcantonio Trattoria - Pizzeria
10.4 km
Cosy Roman-style trattoria and pizzeria tucked into Odense’s old-town cobbles, serving wood-fired pizzas, generous pasta plates and classic Italian comfort food.
Mitchell's Odense
10.4 km
Denmark's only British gastro pub, serving authentic carvery and craft beverages in warm, family-friendly surroundings.
Olivia Brasserie - Restaurant Odense
10.4 km
French-inspired brasserie cooking, relaxed café energy and cobbled-lane atmosphere in the heart of Odense’s historic Vintapperstræde.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Red Cross Op Shop
2.7 km
Volunteer-run Danish Red Cross thrift shop in Bellinge, Odense, where low-priced second-hand finds and everyday treasure hunts help fund vital humanitarian work.
Gårdbutik Verningelund
4.5 km
Organic Jersey dairy farm and small farm shop on Funen, selling carefully matured meat, sausages and occasionally fresh milk straight from the source.
Odense Jagt & Fritid
5.1 km
Specialist 1,000 m² hunting, fishing and outdoor store in Odense SV, equipping you for Fyn’s forests, coasts and everyday life in nature.
Lindholm Antik og Design
5.2 km
Trusted Danish design specialists with 25 years of expertise in mid-century furniture and respectful estate services.
Ch Lagersalg
5.7 km
Warehouse clearance shopping in rural Denmark—where bargain hunters find unexpected treasures.
Butik Sortebro
5.8 km
Cozy countryside wine and gift shop in Tommerup, blending carefully chosen bottles, Danish delicacies and bespoke gift baskets in a relaxed village setting.
The Baroness and Baron
7.8 km
A cozy Tommerup clothing boutique where countryside calm meets quietly elegant Scandinavian style and a warm, personal shopping experience.
StiLia ApS
7.8 km
Curated Scandinavian gifts and homeware where design meets everyday living.
Bohemian Wonders
9.1 km
Odense’s intimate vintage and boho boutique, blending handpicked pre-2000 treasures, colorful slow-fashion pieces and home accessories in a cozy, conscious showroom.
Underground
10.3 km
Curated streetwear and sneakers with urban culture vibes in central Odense.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
10.3 km
A colourful, budget-friendly design playground in central Odense, packed with quirky gifts, stationery, toys and home essentials for spontaneous, feel-good browsing.
Tryde Andrés - Wunderwear - Odense C
10.3 km
Intimate Danish lingerie and swimwear boutique on Odense’s main shopping street, blending heritage, personal fittings and understated Scandinavian style.
All About Kids
10.3 km
A welcoming children’s universe in central Odense, combining Scandinavian-style toys and décor with a calming baby lounge and practical stroller rentals.
Bog & idé - Odense C
10.3 km
Odense's premier destination for books, games, stationery, and creative supplies in the city centre.
Moby Disc
10.4 km
Odense’s long-standing record shop, where forty thousand-plus vinyl and CD titles, cozy aisles and music-savvy staff keep the spirit of crate-digging alive.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Hjallese Puben
7.7 km
Vibrant neighborhood bar where Odense locals gather for music, drinks, and authentic Danish pub atmosphere.
Den Røde Bar
10.0 km
A cozy, crimson-toned bar inside Teater Momentum, serving relaxed drinks, local Arnbitter cocktails and cultural vibes in the heart of Odense’s creative scene.
Carlsens Kvarter
10.1 km
Characterful Odense beer bar pairing old-school pub coziness with one of the city’s most impressive selections of Danish and international brews.
Heidi's Bier Bar Odense
10.2 km
Closed but not forgotten, this basement bar once turned central Odense into a roaring Alpine lodge of big steins, table dancing and unapologetic après-ski energy.
Proud Mary Odense
10.3 km
Big, boisterous and central, Proud Mary Pub Odense turns a former arcade into a vast English-style party pub with sports screens, cocktails and dancing till late.
James Dean Bar
10.3 km
Retro 1950s vibes and karaoke nights in the heart of Odense's nightlife scene.
No Stress Odense
10.3 km
Laid‑back cocktail den in central Odense, blending dessert‑inspired drinks, old‑school beats and retro gaming in a cozy living‑room atmosphere.
The Old Irish Pub
10.3 km
Odense's multi-level music venue where Irish tradition meets electronic beats across three unforgettable floors.
Tingstedet
10.4 km
Smoky, lively and unapologetically brown, Tingstedet is Odense’s cellar bar where cheap beers, close tables and local stories fuel long, unpretentious nights.
Christian Firtal
10.4 km
Odense's premier craft beer specialist with rotating taps and expert bartenders in a cozy pedestrian street setting.
LA Tequila Bar Odense
10.4 km
Basement tequila shots, loud beats and a young crowd turn this Odense city‑centre bar into a compact late‑night party zone on weekend nights.
Lalou Vinbar
10.4 km
Intimate Odense wine bar pairing timeless European recipes with a curated list of continental wines in a warm, candlelit setting on Klaregade.
Champagniet
10.4 km
Intimate champagne bar in Odense’s old town, pairing carefully curated bubbles with cosy hygge vibes and small plates made for slow, sparkling evenings.
City Club
10.4 km
Odense's casual sports bar where pool, darts, and community spirit meet affordable drinks and good times.
Den Brølende And
10.4 km
Odense’s roaring dance basement where karaoke Thursdays, sing-along party hits and shared buckets of cocktails fuel carefree, late-night dancing on tables.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Relaxing
- Scenic
- Casual
- Unique
For the architecture buff
- Parks & Gardens
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Reel-Friendly
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Sustainable
- Eco-Friendly
- Low Impact
- Protected Area
- Locally Managed
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly