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Den Blå Sø at Faxe Limestone Quarry

A vivid turquoise lake framed by towering white chalk walls, Den Blå Sø transforms Faxe Limestone Quarry into one of Denmark’s most surreal and photogenic landscapes.

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Den Blå Sø is a striking turquoise lake set in the vast Faxe Limestone Quarry on South Zealand, where white chalk walls plunge towards intensely blue, crystal-clear water. Formed in a former extraction pit now filled with groundwater, this industrial landscape has transformed into a dramatic, otherworldly nature spot. Visitors come for the sweeping views, the unusual color contrasts, and walks along the quarry edge or down into selected areas of the pit, often combined with fossil hunting at nearby Geomuseum Faxe.

A brief summary to Den blå sø

  • 747M+J3, Faxe, DK
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 3 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon 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

  • Do not swim in Den Blå Sø: the water is extremely cold and alkaline, which can cause cramps and skin irritation. Enjoy the view from the shore and marked paths instead.
  • Wear sturdy, closed footwear and clothes you do not mind getting dusty; the chalk surface is uneven and can be slippery, especially after rain.
  • Bring sunglasses, a hat and plenty of drinking water on sunny days, as the bright white chalk strongly reflects light and heat.
  • Combine your stop at Den Blå Sø with a visit to Geomuseum Faxe to join a guided fossil hunt and learn more about the ancient sea that formed the limestone.
  • Keep an eye on any signage about quarry operations and stay within publicly accessible areas, as parts of Faxe Kalkbrud remain an active industrial site.
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Getting There

  • Train and local walk from Copenhagen

    From Copenhagen, take a regional train towards Næstved and get off at Faxe Ladeplads or Haslev depending on the current timetable; typical journey time is about 1–1.5 hours. From the nearest station, expect roughly 30–40 minutes on foot or a short local taxi ride to the quarry area, where access to Den Blå Sø is free. Standard off‑peak second‑class tickets from Copenhagen to the Faxe area usually cost around 120–180 DKK one way. Trains run regularly during the day, but evening and weekend services can be less frequent, so check departure times in advance.

  • Car from Copenhagen and Zealand

    Arriving by car from Copenhagen or other parts of Zealand typically takes about 1–1.25 hours, depending on traffic. There is free outdoor parking near the quarry and Geomuseum Faxe, from where you can walk to viewpoints over Den Blå Sø. Access to the lake area itself does not require a ticket, but the nearby museum and guided fossil hunts are paid activities. In busy summer periods, parking can fill up late in the morning, so early arrival is advisable.

  • Regional bus within South Zealand

    From nearby towns such as Næstved or Køge, regional buses connect to Faxe town in around 30–60 minutes, with typical single fares in the range of 30–60 DKK depending on distance and ticket type. From central Faxe, you can walk to the quarry area in about 20–30 minutes or use a local taxi. Bus frequencies vary by weekday and season, with fewer departures in the evening and on Sundays, so plan your return journey before you set out.

Den blå sø location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Hot Weather
  • Weather icon Any Weather
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Discover more about Den blå sø

A Turquoise Lake in a Giant Chalk Landscape

Den Blå Sø lies in the middle of Faxe Kalkbrud, Denmark’s largest limestone quarry, a man‑made basin covering around 150 hectares and dropping up to about 45 meters deep. Here, steep white chalk walls enclose pockets of intensely blue water, giving the small lake its name and lending the entire landscape an almost surreal character. The contrast between the blindingly pale rock and the saturated turquoise surface is what draws most visitors to this spot. The lake is fed by clean groundwater that seeps into the quarry floor. Because the water is extremely clear and holds very few algae or plant remains, sunlight penetrates deeply and is scattered by the fine chalk particles, producing the extraordinary blue color. On bright days, the reflections can be dazzling, and the lake shifts from milky turquoise near the edges to deep, inky blue where the quarry is at its deepest.

From Ancient Sea to Modern Quarry

Long before Den Blå Sø appeared, this entire area lay under a warm, tropical sea. Around 60–65 million years ago, coral reefs, bryozoans and other marine life settled on the seabed here, slowly forming thick layers of limestone. Over geological time, the sea retreated and the deposits were uplifted, leaving the rich chalk strata that would later be quarried at Faxe. Industrial extraction shaped the dramatic amphitheatre you see today. As the quarry expanded and deepened, abandoned pits filled with groundwater, creating a series of small lakes, including Den Blå Sø. The quarry is still an active workplace in parts, but designated areas are open for visitors to explore and to see the exposed rock faces, where fossils from the prehistoric seabed can still be found.

Visiting Den Blå Sø Safely

The lake’s clear water looks inviting, but bathing here is strongly discouraged. The quarry lake is very deep and the water is extremely cold just below the surface, which can lead to cramps or cold shock. In addition, the high pH value, caused by dissolved limestone, may irritate skin and eyes. For these reasons, Den Blå Sø is best enjoyed from the shore and surrounding viewpoints. Paths lead along parts of the quarry edge and down into selected sections, though the terrain can be uneven, dusty and slippery in wet weather. Solid footwear is essential, and in sunny conditions the bright chalk can make the light almost glaring, so sunglasses, a hat and drinking water are highly recommended. Visitors should pay attention to signs and respect any restricted zones linked to ongoing quarry operations.

Walking Routes and Fossil Adventures

A marked walking route managed by the Danish nature authorities explores the publicly accessible side of Faxe Kalkbrud, passing viewpoints where you can look across Den Blå Sø and the surrounding chalk landscape. The walk is not long in distance, but the constant visual drama of high walls, blue pools and exposed rock layers makes it memorable. For a deeper dive into the site’s story, many combine a visit to Den Blå Sø with time at Geomuseum Faxe, located by the quarry. The museum offers fossil hunting tours down into the pit, where you can borrow or rent tools and learn to recognize corals, sea urchins and other remains from the ancient sea. Even on a self‑guided visit, it is common to spot fossil fragments in the rubble around the lake.

Atmosphere Through the Seasons

Den Blå Sø has a different mood in each season. On bright summer days, the chalk reflects heat and light, and the lake glows almost tropical in color, even though the water stays cold. In spring and autumn, the air is cooler, and the sharp outlines of the quarry walls stand out under clear Scandinavian skies, ideal conditions for photography. In winter, thin layers of frost or snow on the chalk can make the slopes appear even more otherworldly. Despite its industrial origins, the area around the lake is gradually being reclaimed by nature. Grasses, wildflowers and hardy shrubs colonize ledges and plateaus, while birds use the quarry walls and quiet water as resting and feeding spots. This slow softening of the landscape adds an extra layer to a visit: it is a place where geology, industry and natural regeneration all meet in one compact, dramatic scene.

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