Saltbæk – Beach, Bathing Pier and Nature

When choosing Saltbæk as a destination, the coast and surrounding nature are key considerations. Saltbæk Beach lies on Sejerø Bay; nearby Saltbæk Vig offers a different focus: a large brackish-water lake and distinctive plant and birdlife. There are also meadows that invite you to hike and small roads that are ideal for cycling. So, when planning your trip, the key question is whether you would prefer a stay focused on the beach, activities on land or an interest in nature.

Beach and outdoor activities

Saltbæk Beach is a pebble and sandy beach on Sejerø Bay. There is a permanent bathing pier at the beach. The beach lies at the edge of the Saltbæk Vig wildlife reserve. The coastline and the protected area are therefore two distinct features of the surroundings: the bathing pier belongs to the beach, while the wildlife reserve is a nature destination in its own right.

Nearby meadows invite you to hike, while small roads are ideal for cycling. So, in addition to the beach, there are two other outdoor activities to choose from, each involving a different kind of movement: hiking through meadows and cycling on small roads.

Saltbæk Vig and the surrounding nature

Saltbæk Vig is a brackish-water lake covering 16.1 km² and Denmark’s fifth-largest lake. The area gives you an idea of the lake’s size, while its national ranking puts it in context alongside other Danish lakes. Together, the two figures offer different points of reference: a specific area and a comparison on a nationwide scale.

Two distinct conservation topics are relevant when it comes to plants. Saltbæk Vig is home to Denmark’s largest population of the fen orchid (Mygblomst). Several hundred protected plants of the moonwort (Enkelt månerude) also grow in the surrounding area; their habitat is protected as well. For nature enthusiasts, the two details have different focuses: the fen orchid population’s size, and the protected moonwort plants and their habitat.

In the area around Saltbæk, Alleshave Bay is a shallow area that attracts large numbers of ducks and wading birds throughout the year. While foraging, birds travel daily between Alleshave Bay and Saltbæk Vig. This brings together two aspects: the bay attracts birds in every season, while their daily foraging connects the two areas.

Guided tours and planning your visit

Saltbæk Vig is normally closed to the public. At the same time, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening Kalundborg, together with Kalundborg Turistforening and Saltbæk Vig A/S, organizes several guided tours into the protected area. If you are considering a guided tour, check the latest dates before your trip. Both the usual access restrictions and the guided tours are important to keep in mind when planning.

The destinations on guided tours through Saltbæk Vig include the village, Sorte Mølle and one of Denmark’s largest white-tailed eagle sites. The tours therefore range from a village and Sorte Mølle to an important site for white-tailed eagles.

Discover more destinations: Store Fuglede, Kaldred, Nostrup, Gørlev, Sejerø, Drøsselbjerg, Melby, Bjerge

For the main travel overview: Kalundborg.