There’s no doubt that we miss nature where we live. Genuine nature. The kind that isn’t just endless fields or other vast stretches of cultivated land. We miss it – and when we head out into the Danish countryside in search of something beautiful, we often seek out places where nature has been allowed to run wild. This Saturday, that was exactly what we were looking for when we got in the car and drove south toward Billund – not to catch a flight, but to experience a small hidden gem with rolling hills and the most wonderful lakes. A small spot on the map of Denmark that reminds us of Finland.
What exactly are Syvårssøerne?
In short, the Syvårssøerne is an area located by Randbøl Heath and Frederikshåb Plantation. It is a small, hilly area featuring a unique natural phenomenon of lakes that come and go. These lakes appear and disappear depending on the groundwater levels. In the old days, the area was named “Syvårssøerne” because it was believed they emerged every seven years. That isn’t quite the case; in reality, their presence varies with the fluctuations of the water table.
When we visited Syvårssøerne, there were large and…
Where are Syvårssøerne located?
Syvårssøerne are located about 10 km southeast of Billund, near Randbøl Heath. If, like us, you arrive by car, you can drive to the Randbøl Heath rest area and park there.
We arrived by car, parked it, and ate our packed lunch before setting off. The sun was shining beautifully on this October day, and we were certainly not the only ones who had found their way to the area, which consisted of several hiking routes. It was clearly a place where people usually go mushroom picking, as many arrived carrying baskets under their arms.
To reach Syvårssøerne, we first walked through a very hilly area and then through an area with very tall spruce trees.
What can you experience at Syvårssøerne?
If, like us, you feel the need to get outside and experience nature, take a walk, search for mushrooms, or simply enjoy the peace and breathe in the fresh air – Syvårssøerne will already deliver most of that. If you also dream of experiencing a different kind of nature in Denmark, there’s a chance that there’s enough water in the lakes for you to get a small taste of being in a little Mini-Finland.
There are many hiking trails, taking you through spruce plantations, clearings, gravel roads, forest paths, and plenty of hills and valleys. You’ll encounter beautiful views over the lakes, as well as cool, shady valleys with moisture and frost on the grasses. You might even come across an area of inland dunes with sand!
Since we live close to the sea, getting out to a lake feels very special for us. The water lies so still, perfectly reflecting the trees and bushes. It’s hard not to stop and take photos, and even though our route was only about 4–5 km long, it still took us several hours to fully enjoy the beauty of the area.
What else can you experience at the Syvårssøerne?
On our walk through the plantation toward Syvårssøerne, we came across signs telling us that we were in an area where the Germans hid their bombers during World War II. In other parts of the forest, you can also find traces from that time – personnel bunkers, remnants of fuel pipelines, and a bunker for a fuel pump – but we didn’t pass these areas on our route.
If it hadn’t been for the signs, we would never have noticed these traces of history. Nature was everywhere, having long since reclaimed the land.
In the area, you can also find Denmark’s largest site of clearance cairns – piles of stones from ancient times that bear witness to past farming and early human work with the land. Had I known this before our trip, I would definitely have looked for them. But I’ll have that on my list for next time we visit Syvårssøerne.
Another place in the area that we didn’t explore on our walk is Kighøj Madpakkehus, a former forester’s house that now serves as a cozy spot for visitors. It has tables, benches, and facilities to make a fire, making it a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the nature. Maybe it’s something you’d like to try?
After a long day in this beautiful area, we turned our faces homeward. Another adventure had been experienced. Another wonderful day had passed. The walk back to the car was just as beautiful as the walk out. It truly was a lovely day.
Quick facts about Syvårssøerne
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Length: 4.2 km
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Types of nature: Forest and lakes
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Facilities: Toilet
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Parking: Yes
Links
- Naturstyrelsen: Syvårssøerne (danish)
- Miljø- og Fødevareministeriet: Randbøl Hede vandreture kort (danish)
- Vandretursguiden: Frederikshåb Plantage, Syvårssøerne (hiking guide, danish)
