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World Map at Klejtrup Lake (Verdenskortet ved Klejtrup Sø)

Walk the world in an afternoon on a lakeside, stone-and-grass atlas where continents, flags and family-friendly fun turn geography into a playful countryside escape.

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On the shore of Klejtrup Lake near Hobro, the World Map at Klejtrup Lake is a walkable, 4,000 m² atlas built from grass, soil and stones. Created between 1944 and 1969 by farmer Søren Poulsen, this quirky open‑air attraction lets you stroll from Denmark to Australia in a few steps, spot miniature seas, rivers and mountains, and enjoy family-friendly extras such as playgrounds, mini golf, pony rides in season, and lakeside picnic areas with a small café and shop.

A brief summary to Worldmap at Klejtrup Lake

  • Søren Poulsens Vej 5, Hobro, 9500, DK
  • +4598546132
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 4 hours
  • Budget
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 10 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 10 am-3 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-3 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-3 pm
  • Friday 10 am-3 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Bring a picnic or supplies for the on-site grills; enjoying lunch overlooking the miniature continents is one of the most atmospheric ways to experience the park.
  • Plan at least half a day if visiting with children so there is time for the playground, mini golf and seasonal activities as well as exploring the map itself.
  • Wear comfortable shoes with good grip; you will be walking on grass, small slopes and occasionally slightly uneven ground between the modelled coastlines.
  • Check opening hours and seasonal offerings in advance, especially outside the main summer months when activities and café service may be reduced.
  • If you are keen on photography, arrive close to opening or later in the afternoon for softer light and clearer views across the map toward Klejtrup Lake.
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Getting There

  • Car from Hobro

    Driving from central Hobro to the World Map at Klejtrup Lake typically takes around 15–20 minutes via local country roads. The route passes through open farmland with occasional narrow sections, but it is straightforward for most drivers. Parking is available on site and is generally free, though spaces can fill up during busy summer weekends and school holidays, so arriving earlier in the day provides the most flexibility.

  • Car from Viborg

    From Viborg, the drive to Verdenskortet usually takes 30–40 minutes, following regional roads through rolling Jutland countryside. The roads are paved and suitable for standard vehicles in all seasons, but allow a little extra time in winter for possible wet or icy conditions. There is on-site parking close to the entrance, and no special permits or 4x4 vehicles are required.

  • Regional bus and short walk

    It is possible to reach the area using regional buses running between Hobro, Viborg and nearby villages, with typical travel times of 40–60 minutes depending on route and connections. Services are less frequent on weekends and outside peak hours, so checking the timetable in advance is important. The nearest bus stops are in the local village area, from where you continue on foot along rural lanes for roughly 20–30 minutes on mostly flat ground; this final stretch is not well suited to heavy luggage or visitors who need completely step-free, roadside paths.

  • Cycling from nearby towns

    For confident cyclists, reaching the World Map from Hobro or nearby villages by bike is a pleasant option, taking about 30–45 minutes from Hobro depending on your pace. Expect a mix of small country roads and dedicated cycle paths where available, with some gentle hills typical of the Jutland landscape. There are no formal bike lockers on site, but simple racks and fence lines allow you to secure your bicycle; bring lights and reflective gear if returning in the evening, as some stretches have limited lighting.

Worldmap at Klejtrup Lake location weather suitability

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A handcrafted world beside a Danish lake

The World Map at Klejtrup Lake is one of Denmark’s most charming curiosities: a full world map laid out on the lakeshore, with continents, seas and islands modeled in turf, soil and stone. Here, the Earth spans roughly 45 by 90 meters, yet every landmass is placed to scale, so each step you take corresponds to vast distances in the real world. Spread out like an atlas against the water, it feels at once playful and surprisingly precise. At the heart of the attraction is the contrast between its modest rural setting and the ambition of its design. The map occupies a gentle meadow by the lake, framed by low trees, open sky and the shimmer of the water. Flags mark individual countries, red posts trace the equator, and low embankments suggest mountain ranges. The result is a landscape that is both cartographic model and giant playground.

The vision of farmer and mapmaker Søren Poulsen

The story begins in the 1940s, when local farmer Søren Poulsen was working to drain the surrounding meadows and spotted a stone that reminded him of the Jutland peninsula. That small discovery sparked a grand idea: he would build the whole world out of stones in his backyard. Drawing on a lifelong interest in geography and two decades spent in the United States, Poulsen began plotting continents on the frozen lake. Using only simple tools, a wheelbarrow and sheer determination, he placed heavy boulders on winter ice and tilted them into position as the thaw came. Over 25 years, from 1944 until his death in 1969, his project grew into a complete miniature Earth. Some stones weigh more than two tonnes, yet every coastline was carefully adjusted, and even the borders of the American states are traced with yellow bricks in homage to his years abroad.

Walking the globe in an afternoon

Visiting Verdenskortet is as much about the experience as the story. You can literally stroll from Greenland to Africa in a few strides, or follow the curve of South America down towards its southern tip. Children race across oceans on the grass, hop between islands, and search for the tiny flag of their home country. Adults find themselves instinctively checking the shapes of continents and tracing familiar routes from school atlases. The map is edged by paths and lawns, so you can view it from ground level or step down among the continents. Lakes, inlets and channels filled with water stand in for real seas, and small bridges carry you over miniature oceans. It feels light-hearted and hands-on, but it also offers a quietly effective lesson in scale and distance that makes world geography suddenly tangible underfoot.

Family activities around the miniature Earth

The attraction has grown into a small family park wrapped around the original map. A playground, mini golf course and simple labyrinth add to the fun, and in the warmer months there are extra touches such as pony rides or small boats on the "Pacific" near the lake. Open grassy spaces invite informal ball games and cartwheels between visits to different continents. Picnic tables and grilling areas overlook the map so you can unpack your own lunch with a view of the whole world. A modest café and shop serve snacks, drinks and ice cream, with a glass pavilion that groups can reserve for gatherings. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed, encouraging you to linger for a full afternoon rather than rush through.

A gentle countryside setting with a quirky twist

Beyond the map itself, Klejtrup Lake provides a calm backdrop of reeds, waterbirds and open countryside in central Jutland. The setting is rural but accessible, making the site an appealing break on a regional journey or a low‑key day out from nearby towns. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and wide, mostly level paths mean that much of the area is easy to navigate. It is this blend of pastoral landscape, homemade ingenuity and imaginative scale that gives Verdenskortet its unique character. You are never far from a reminder that one determined person with a vision reshaped this corner of the lakeshore into a tiny planet under the Danish sky.

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