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Skelsnæs Pavilion

A 19th-century forest pavilion overlooking Denmark's most island-dotted lakes and richest birdlife.

4.6

A charming Golden Age pavilion nestled in the forest on the Skelsnæs peninsula, overlooking the Maribo Lakes in southeastern Denmark. This 19th-century structure offers a peaceful retreat surrounded by pristine nature, rich birdlife, and historic manor landscapes. Accessible by hiking trail or boat tour, it serves as a focal point for exploring one of Denmark's most ecologically significant lake systems.

A brief summary to Skelsnæs-pavillionen

  • Søholtvej, Maribo, DK
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 1.5 to 4 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 out of 5

Local tips

  • Visit during spring and early summer (April to September) to observe white-tailed eagles and ospreys. The Anemonen tour boat operates May through September, offering guided three-hour lake tours with high probability of eagle sightings.
  • Combine your visit with the Søholt Estate's Baroque garden and café, which operates Friday through Sunday. The estate is adjacent to the pavilion and offers refreshments and historical context.
  • Bring binoculars and a bird identification guide. The area's international importance for birdlife means patient observation often rewards visitors with sightings of rare species.
  • Choose the 4.5-kilometre shorter loop if time is limited, or the full 9.5-kilometre Søholt Storskov trail for a deeper forest experience. Both routes are well-marked and suitable for moderate fitness levels.
  • Download the Naturlandet app before visiting for detailed route maps, real-time information, and additional context about flora, fauna, and cultural heritage sites throughout the nature park.
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Getting There

  • Hiking from Søholt Estate

    The Søholt Storskov hiking trail begins near the Søholt Estate parking area. The full route is approximately 9.5 kilometres and takes 2.5 to 3 hours at a moderate pace. The trail passes through forest and reaches the Skelsnæs Pavilion, with an option to continue to the Pumping Station picnic area. A shorter 4.5-kilometre loop returns from the pavilion. The route is well-marked and suitable for most fitness levels. Parking is available at the Pumping Station or near the Søholt Estate.

  • Anemonen Tour Boat

    The Anemonen tour boat operates from May through September, departing from a dock in the Maribo Lakes area. The three-hour guided tour includes a landing at the Skelsnæs peninsula where the pavilion is located. The boat tour offers excellent opportunities for observing white-tailed eagles and other bird species. Tours depart on scheduled dates; advance booking is recommended. Estimated cost is approximately 200–250 Danish kroner per adult.

  • Cycling Route

    The Maribo Lakes Nature Park offers multiple cycling routes that pass through or near the Skelsnæs area. The terrain is generally flat to gently rolling, suitable for recreational cyclists. Routes can be customized using the Naturlandet app, which provides detailed maps and distance information. Cycling typically takes 1.5 to 2 hours to reach the pavilion from central Maribo, depending on the chosen route.

  • Kayaking or Canoeing

    Kayak and canoe rentals are available in the Maribo Lakes area. Paddling to the Skelsnæs peninsula offers a water-level perspective of the lakes and surrounding landscape. The journey takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours depending on starting point and paddling speed. This option is weather-dependent and requires basic water safety skills. Rental costs typically range from 150–300 Danish kroner per day.

Skelsnæs-pavillionen location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures

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Discover more about Skelsnæs-pavillionen

A Golden Age Gem in the Forest

The Skelsnæs Pavilion stands as an elegant reminder of Denmark's Golden Age, a period of cultural and architectural flourishing in the 19th century. Positioned on the Skelsnæs peninsula within the Maribo Lakes Nature Park, this refined structure emerges from the surrounding forest like a portal to a more leisurely era. The pavilion's architectural grace reflects the refined tastes of the era, offering visitors a tangible connection to Denmark's heritage while providing a serene vantage point over the interconnected lake system. The pavilion's location was deliberately chosen to showcase the natural beauty of the Maribo Lakes, allowing visitors of that era to experience the landscape in comfort and style. Today, it remains a cherished landmark that bridges history and nature, drawing both cultural enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers to this remote corner of Lolland.

Gateway to Denmark's Most Island-Dotted Lakes

The Skelsnæs Pavilion sits at the heart of the Maribo Lakes Nature Park, a protected area encompassing four interconnected freshwater lakes: Søndersø, Hejrede Sø, Røgbølle Sø, and Nørresø. Together, these lakes form one of Denmark's largest freshwater systems, covering approximately 1,140 hectares of water surface. Søndersø, the largest lake, is Denmark's most island-dotted lake, consisting of three basins and creating a landscape of remarkable complexity and beauty. The surrounding terrain tells the story of Denmark's glacial past. The hilly landscape, with elevations reaching above 20 metres, was formed by enormous blocks of ice left by glaciers during the last ice age. As these ice blocks melted, they created the natural depressions that now hold the lakes, resulting in a landscape distinctly different from the flatter regions of Lolland.

A Sanctuary for Rare and Magnificent Birdlife

The Maribo Lakes area is internationally recognized for its exceptional birdlife, making the Skelsnæs Pavilion an ideal observation point for ornithologists and nature enthusiasts. The region supports Denmark's largest population of white-tailed eagles, impressive raptors that can be observed year-round. Between April and September, ospreys join the resident eagles, adding another layer of avian diversity to the landscape. Beyond these majestic birds of prey, the area hosts an unusually rich variety of species including greylag geese, common pochards, and all four Danish species of grebe. The unique combination of open water, reed beds, woodlands, and meadows creates ideal habitats for numerous species, making every visit a potential opportunity for memorable wildlife encounters.

Exploring the Søholt Estate and Historic Landscape

The Skelsnæs Pavilion serves as a gateway to the broader cultural and historical narrative of the Maribo Lakes region. Nearby stands the Søholt Estate, a Renaissance Revival manor house dating to 1804, which anchors the landscape with centuries of aristocratic heritage. The estate's Baroque garden, open to the public, represents another layer of historical significance and aesthetic refinement. The forest surrounding the pavilion, known as Søholt Storskov, was acquired by the Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation in 2019, ensuring its protection and sustainable management. This forest area exhibits high biodiversity, with many rare plant and animal species thriving in its protected environment. The integration of cultural heritage sites, historic estates, and pristine natural areas creates a landscape where human history and nature coexist in remarkable harmony.

Access and Visitor Experience

The pavilion is accessible via multiple routes, making it adaptable to different preferences and abilities. The popular Søholt Storskov hiking trail, approximately 9.5 kilometres in length, winds through the forest and passes the pavilion, offering a full immersion in the landscape. For those preferring a shorter walk, a 4.5-kilometre route turns around at the pavilion. The Anemonen tour boat, operating from May to September, provides an alternative approach, landing on the Skelsnæs peninsula and offering a three-hour guided experience of the lakes with opportunities to observe white-tailed eagles and other bird species. The pavilion's location within the Søholt Storskov forest ensures a sense of remoteness and tranquility, despite its accessibility. The surrounding woodland provides shelter and shade, while the proximity to water and open vistas creates a balanced natural environment that appeals to visitors seeking both solitude and connection with nature.

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