Kayak Tour at Kegnæs

The coastlines of southern Als offer beautiful nature experiences with forests, beaches, and a rich variety of wildlife and bird species. Take a fantastic kayak tour around Kegnæs, starting from Høruphav, and enjoy the magical cliffs along Sønderskoven before crossing over to Kegnæs. All in a single day.

The tour starts and ends in Høruphav, where you can stay overnight at Hotel Baltic.

Stay at a Romantic Seaside Hotel

If you’re not already familiar with Hotel Baltic, you can look forward to experiencing a historic seaside hotel from the 1800s, filled with charm and atmosphere. Beautifully situated above the old fishing harbor in Høruphav, the well-preserved buildings offer stunning views over the marina. The hotel’s gardens and south-facing terraces complete the experience — whether you’re enjoying an afternoon drink in the sun or having breakfast on a summer morning.

Easy Access to the Water

The kayak tour begins at the marina in Høruphav, where there’s good parking and easy access to the water via either the jetty or the beach. From here, paddle southwest in the direction of Sønderborg, following the first stretch along the well-known Gendarmstien hiking trail and passing the natural area “Trillen,” where you’ll round the first headland.

Along Cliffs and Beech Forest

Shortly after the headland, the fascinating cliffs along Sønderskoven come into view. The steep clay cliffs rise majestically, crowned with beech forest, and are home to a rich birdlife including sand martins, shelducks, and eiders. Not far away, white-tailed sea eagles are nesting and can sometimes be spotted soaring above the cliffs.

Heading towards Sønderborg, enjoy the stunning scenery on the way to Klinting Hoved, where you’ll reach the tour’s first crossing. The crossing from Klinting Hoved to Kegnæs Ende is approximately 2.5 km. The two wind turbines on Kegnæs provide a clear visual reference point. On windy days, the crossing to Kegnæs is only recommended for experienced paddlers. Alternatively, you can extend the route towards Sønderborg and stay close to the coast for the entire trip.

Kegnæs and the Grønmark Stone

Kegnæs offers plenty of beautiful spots for taking a break and enjoying your packed lunch. A great choice is the Grønmark Stone — one of Denmark’s largest glacial erratic boulders. It measures an impressive 2.4 meters in height and 5.5 meters in length — longer than most kayaks — and is estimated to weigh over 70 tons.

Continue paddling northeast along Kegnæs towards Torsthoved. The flat coastal meadows here contrast beautifully with the steep cliffs of Sønderskoven on the opposite side and are home to a diverse fauna as well as grazing cattle.

After passing the old ferry site, you’ll paddle along the sandspit and head southeast towards the causeway that connects Kegnæs with Als. Near Vibæk Mill, you’ll make the tour’s second crossing of about 1.5 km back to Als, before returning to the marina in Høruphav.

Useful Links

• Book your stay at Hotel Baltic here

• Read more about nature and outdoor experiences in the Sønderjylland region