Sønæs Soltrappe & Strand, Viborg

Lakeside steps where Viborg meets the water

Sønæs Soltrappe & Strand sits on the southern edge of Søndersø, where the city of Viborg seems to casually sink down into the lake. Here, a broad cascade of wooden terraces doubles as both a grand set of steps and an informal urban beach. On sunny days the planks warm quickly, turning each step into a natural sunbed facing the glittering surface of the water. Instead of a conventional sandy shore, the gently tiered structure creates a series of levels where you can stretch out, dangle your feet, or sit with a picnic close to the waterline. The lowest steps bring you almost to the lake itself, giving confident swimmers and stand‑up paddlers an easy, unpretentious access point right in town.

Part of Viborg’s pioneering sØnæs climate park

The soltrappe is one eye‑catching element in the larger sØnæs landscape, a multi‑purpose park designed to manage stormwater while offering everyday recreation. The surrounding lawns, reeds and shallow basins are not just decorative; they help cleanse and delay rainwater on its way to Søndersø, reducing the strain on the city during heavy downpours. Interpretive features scattered through the area explain how the terrain has been shaped to handle changing weather. Even if you are here simply to sit by the water, you are in the middle of a working piece of climate infrastructure, where technical functions have been translated into a calm, open green space.

Everyday rituals: sun, swims and simple pleasures

For most visitors, Sønæs Soltrappe & Strand is about uncomplicated outdoor time. The wide steps invite you to lie back with a book, share takeaway coffee, or quietly watch rowing boats and birds pass along Søndersø. In warm weather, the area becomes an informal bathing spot, with people wading or plunging in from the edge where conditions allow. Paths link the soltrappe to the rest of the park, making it easy to combine a lakeside pause with a longer stroll around the water. Children often gravitate towards nearby lawns and playful water elements elsewhere in sØnæs, while the steps themselves function as relaxed seating for all ages.

Design details and changing light over Søndersø

The terraced structure is simple at first glance, but it has been carefully aligned with the curve of the shoreline and the long views across the lake. The repeated rhythm of timber and the broad, horizontal lines echo the still surface of the water on calm days. In late afternoon and evening, the soltrappe becomes a natural vantage point for sunsets, with the light sliding across Søndersø and the city skyline beyond. Because the area is open and relatively unbuilt, you remain close to the elements: the sound of wind on the lake, the creak of moored boats, the calls of waterfowl. Even brief visits can feel like a reset from urban life, despite the city centre being only a short distance away.

Seasons, atmosphere and practical comforts

Although the soltrappe is most obviously a summer hangout, it has a quiet appeal year‑round. On crisp mornings outside the high season you may find only a few walkers, joggers and dog‑owners sharing the wide steps. In cooler months they become a place to pause with a thermos and take in the play of clouds over the water, rather than a sunbathing spot. Facilities are modest but sufficient for a short visit, with basic park amenities available in the wider sØnæs area. Combined with flat, well‑made paths and open sightlines, Sønæs Soltrappe & Strand feels easygoing and accessible, inviting you to treat the lake as an everyday living room for Viborg rather than a distant backdrop.