Ulvshale Naturcenter

Gateway to Ulvshale’s Wild Peninsula

Ulvshale Naturcenter sits at the edge of one of Møn’s most distinctive landscapes, a low peninsula sculpted by the sea from sand, gravel and flint washed down from the famous chalk cliffs to the east. From the center you look out toward forest, heath and wide, open meadows that stretch toward the shallow waters of Stege Bay. It is less a classic visitor center and more an outdoor base camp, combining practical information, simple facilities and immediate access to trails. The surroundings feel surprisingly remote given the short distance from Stege. Coastal light, wind and the scent of salt and resin define the atmosphere, and even a brief stop here gives you a sense of stepping into a different, wilder side of Møn. Wayfinding boards and maps help you orient yourself before you head out along one of several signed routes that begin right by the center.

Forest of Flint Stones and Twisted Trees

Behind the naturcenter lies Ulvshale Skov, an almost fairytale woodland growing on a carpet of rounded flint stones. These stones, carried by the sea from Møns Klint and deposited over centuries, create an unusually stony forest floor. The trees have adapted by twisting and contorting around the uneven ground, giving the forest a gnarled, almost enchanted character that feels far older than its actual age. Much of the woodland has been left largely unmanaged for decades, allowing dead wood, fallen trunks and dense undergrowth to remain. This rough, natural structure makes it a rewarding place to wander, peer for fungi in autumn or let children clamber on sturdy branches. Several marked walking routes loop from the naturcenter into the forest, ranging from short family-friendly circuits to longer rambles that link woodland, heath and coast in a single outing.

Heath, Meadows and Grazing Animals

Step beyond the forest edge and the landscape opens onto heath and grazing meadows, where hardy horses, cattle and sometimes goats roam in large enclosures. The animals help maintain a mosaic of habitats by nibbling young saplings and keeping the vegetation varied and open. Heather, juniper and sea buckthorn thrive here, along with a range of specialized plants that favour dry, sandy soils and periodically wet hollows. The area forms part of a wider nature protection network and is notable for its biodiversity, including rare butterflies, fungi and a variety of nesting and migratory birds. Information panels around the naturcenter and along selected routes explain why fencing, grazing and leaving dead wood in place are central tools in creating a more self-willed landscape. Visitors are asked to respect gates and keep a sensible distance from the free-ranging animals while enjoying the sense of being in a living, working piece of nature.

Birdlife, Boardwalks and Coastal Views

From the naturcenter it is easy to reach bird hides and viewpoints that overlook shallow lakes and marshy meadows, including the well-known Gåsesøen area. Here flocks of waders, ducks and geese feed and rest, especially during migration seasons. A specially constructed wooden boardwalk through wet woodland leads toward one of the hides, built with gentle gradients and smooth surfaces to accommodate wheelchairs and prams. Other routes offer glimpses of both Stege Bay and the more open waters toward Fakse Bay, as well as access to long stretches of sandy beach on the opposite side of the peninsula. On clear days the wide horizons and low coast give a subtly Scandinavian seascape: big sky, pale light and drifting lines of seabirds. After dark, the limited light pollution makes the area part of a renowned Dark Sky environment, where stars, planets and the Milky Way stand out with unusual clarity.

Practical Base for Slow Outdoor Days

Ulvshale Naturcenter is designed for uncomplicated days outside. Around it you find parking, simple seating areas, information boards and a toilet, including accessible facilities. A large outdoor map of routes in various lengths invites you to pick a path that matches your time and energy, whether that is a quick leg-stretcher through the trees or a longer circuit that combines forest shade with open heath and shore. There are no cafés or shops at the naturcenter itself, so visitors typically bring their own snacks or picnic, using benches and grassy spots as informal dining rooms. The nearest full range of services, including supermarkets and restaurants, lies back in Stege, making the naturcenter feel pleasantly focused on nature rather than amenities. Many travellers plan to spend half a day here, combining walking, quiet observation and perhaps a lingering moment simply listening to the wind move through the flint forest and the calls of birds over the meadows.