Store Pigesten, Rønnerne, Læsø
A stranded Ice Age boulder on Læsø’s tidal meadows, Store Pigesten fuses geology and folklore in one stark, unforgettable landmark on the Rønnerne.
Store Pigesten rises from the flat tidal meadows of Rønnerne on Læsø like a stranded giant. This glacial erratic boulder, about 2 m high and 5 m long, breaks the razor-flat horizon of salt marsh and shallow sea, creating a striking natural landmark wrapped in island folklore. According to legend, two girls escaped a pair of raging bulls by scrambling onto this stone – a story that adds a dash of drama to the peaceful, wind-brushed landscape and makes the boulder a favorite pause point on excursions across the Rønner.
A brief summary to Store Pigesten
- Hornfiskrønvej 3, Læsø Municipality, 9940, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
Local tips
- Wear waterproof or at least sturdy shoes; the Rønnerne meadows around Store Pigesten can be soft, muddy and occasionally shallowly flooded depending on tide and season.
- Check local tide and weather information before planning a visit, as strong winds and high water can make access across the flats more challenging.
- Bring binoculars to enjoy the rich birdlife that frequents the salt meadows and channels surrounding the boulder.
- If you are visiting with children, supervise climbing on the stone, as the granite surface can be uneven and slippery when wet.
- Pack water, snacks and a windproof layer; there is no shade or shelter near the stone and the open landscape amplifies sun, wind and chill.
Getting There
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Guided tractor bus from central Læsø
From Byrum or selected stops on Læsø, join the seasonal Rønner bus excursions that drive across the salt meadows towards Hornfiskrøn, typically taking 30–60 minutes each way including stops. Tickets for these guided outings usually cost around 150–250 DKK per adult, with reduced fares for children. Departures tend to be less frequent outside high summer and depend on tide and ground conditions, so advance booking and confirmation of departure times are important.
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Bicycle from Byrum area
Cyclists can ride from Byrum or nearby holiday accommodation towards the southern coast and the access points for the Rønnerne, with travel times of about 30–50 minutes depending on starting point and wind. Using a regular city or touring bike is generally sufficient, but expect exposed conditions and occasional soft stretches near the meadows where you may need to walk the bike. There is no dedicated bike parking at the edge of the Rønner, so bring a lock and leave the bike in a discreet, non-obstructive spot before continuing on foot.
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On foot across the Rønnerne
When tides and weather allow, experienced walkers can reach the area around Store Pigesten on foot from the southern side of Læsø in roughly 30–60 minutes of walking each way over flat but potentially wet and uneven ground. Waterproof boots or sturdy shoes are recommended, and conditions can change quickly with wind and water levels. This option is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams, and should be avoided in fog, heavy rain or during high water.
Store Pigesten location weather suitability
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Windy Conditions
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Hot Weather
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Store Pigesten
An island of stone in a walking sea
Store Pigesten stands almost alone on the Rønnerne, Læsø’s famously flat salt meadows, where land and water blur into a shallow, shimmering plain. From a distance, the boulder seems to hover at the boundary between sea and sky, an anchoring point in a landscape so level it feels like wading through a horizontal mirror. As you approach across the grazing marsh, the stone gradually swells from a thin line on the horizon into a solid, sculptural presence. The boulder is a classic glacial erratic, carried here by moving ice during the last Ice Age and left behind when the ice retreated. Measuring roughly 2 m in height and about 5 m in length, it pushes up through the low salt-tolerant plants and grasses like the back of some buried creature. Its coarse-grained surface, streaked and pitted by thousands of seasons of salt wind and winter frost, tells a quiet geological story that is far older than the island itself.Folktales of frightened girls and wild bulls
Store Pigesten is more than just a geological relic; it is also a character in Læsø’s storytelling tradition. Local legend tells that two girls were once chased across these meadows by enraged bulls. With the animals closing in, the girls scrambled onto this massive rock and found safety high above the charging horns. From that narrow escape the stone gained its name: the Great Girls’ Rock. The tale gives an almost theatrical quality to the otherwise tranquil setting. It is easy to imagine the drama playing out against the wide sky, with the wind whipping over the open flats and the cries of seabirds cutting through the air. Whether or not the story is true matters less than the way it binds people, animals and landscape to this single, immovable block of stone.Reading the landscape around the boulder
Standing beside Store Pigesten, the Rønnerne open up in all directions. At high water the surrounding terrain can look like a patchwork of flooded pools and channels; at lower tides you see grazing areas, saltmarsh plants and the subtle traces of centuries of uplift from the sea. Læsø is still slowly rising, and this shallow coastal platform is one of the best places to sense that ongoing change. The boulder itself serves as a natural viewing platform. From its base you get low, 360-degree views of the island’s south side: distant farmsteads, faint lines of dunes and the bright edge of the sea. Birds use the stone as a resting place, leaving white streaks on the upper surfaces, while sheep often graze nearby, emphasizing how outsized the rock is within such a delicate, horizontal environment.A quiet pause on Rønner excursions
Store Pigesten often becomes a natural waypoint on excursions over the Rønner, whether you arrive with a guided tour, a local tractor bus or on your own two feet when conditions allow. Reaching the stone usually involves crossing soft, sometimes damp ground, and timing with tides and seasons is important, but the sense of arrival is unmistakable. The sudden nearness of this great rock makes the preceding walk feel longer and the setting more remote. Many visitors linger here, using the stone’s lee side as a windbreak or resting spot. Children are often drawn to climb onto its lower flanks where the surface is gently rounded, while others circle it slowly, tracing grooves, quartz veins and lichen patterns with their fingers. In a place with almost no built structures, the boulder feels like a natural monument and a subtle gathering point.Changing light and shifting moods
What makes Store Pigesten particularly memorable is how dramatically it responds to light and weather. Under clear skies the granite glows warm and speckled, standing out sharply against olive-green marsh and deep blue sea. In overcast or misty conditions the stone appears darker, almost brooding, and it can momentarily vanish into the haze before reappearing as you draw close. On windy days you may hear nothing but the rush of air and the distant murmur of waves at the outer reefs. In calmer weather, the scene becomes hushed: small splashes in the channels, the soft calls of waders picking through the shallows, and the faint creak of grasses bending. At sunrise or sunset the low sun stretches the boulder’s shadow far across the flats, underlining its role as the Rønnerne’s quiet, enduring landmark.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
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Unmissable attractions to see
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Holtemmen
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Essential places to dine
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Orangeriet
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Cafe Læsø
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Hummerens Hus Restaurant
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Carlsens Hotel
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Majids Pizzaria
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VesterØL
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Grill-Cafeen Læsø v/ Bent Frimodt Andersen
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Den lille Deli
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Læsøfærgens Bistro
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Modvind
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Røget Læsø Fjæsing
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Frøken Madsen's Spisehus
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Cafe Fru Olsen
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Læsøfruerne
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Læsøshoppen
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Læsø Uldstue ApS
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Folkekirkens Nødhjælp Genbrug
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SuperBrugsen
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Læsø Økologi
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Nightclubs & after hour spots
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For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Relaxing
- Adventurous
For the architecture buff
- Viewpoints
- Parks & Gardens
- Landmarks
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
- Sunset Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Wildlife Habitat
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Nature Escape
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Myth & Legends
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
- Mindfulness
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Requires Hike
- Remote
- Seasonal Only
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
