Rubjerg Knude is a beautifully located and unique lighthouse on the northwest coast of Denmark. This lighthouse was built in 1900, and was moved 70 meters land inwards in 2019 to prevent it from collapsing. It’s one of the few lighthouses in Europe visibly losing its battle with the sea, which makes it such a unique spot to visit. It’s in the sand dunes, which makes it a beautiful photography subject.
If you’re planning a road trip through Denmark, then you shouldn’t miss Rubjerg Knude. The coast is eroding around 1 to 1.5 meters inland every year, so visit it soon before it’s too late.
We visited in early June, during a road trip through Jutland in a campervan.
Quick Facts
- Location: Close to Løkken, on the North West coast of Denamrk
- Drive time from Aalborg: about 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Drive time from Aarhus: about 2 to 2.5 hours
- Parking: free for cars and campervans. Overnight stays not allowed.
- Walking time: Around 15 minutes, or a short drive by tractor
- Drones: allowed under standard Danish/EU rules.
- Best time for photography: sunset
In This Post
How to Get to Rubjerg Knude
Rubjerg Knude is located on the northwest coast of Jutland, the largest peninsula of Denmark. The lighthouse is quite far from other public attractions, making it a spot you should visit by car. The closest towns around would be Løkken or Hjørring.
From the parking area, the walk to the lighthouse takes about 20 minutes. The hike is easy, there is no technical difficulty and no steep climbing. The last part goes through loose sand, which can make it feel heavier than the distance suggests. It is doable for anyone in ok physical condition.
A tip for the sand: walk on the side of the path. The sand is less loose there, which makes it a lot easier. We did this with two dogs, who are allowed here.
If you don’t feel like walking, there is a tractor that drives visitors from the parking lot to the lighthouse. Expect to pay around 50 DKK (about 7 USD) per person, and you can pay by card. Another thing worth to mention: bring a jacket. It can get chilly and windy this close to the North Sea, even in summer.
Parking at Rubjerg Knude
Even though the lighthouse is a popular spot, parking at Rubjerg Knude is still free. There is a large parking area with toilets and picnic tables nearby. We arrived around 7 PM and had something to eat at the parking lot before walking to the lighthouse.
Keep in mind that overnight parking is not allowed, so this is not a place to sleep in your car or campervan. There are lots of campsites for campers in Denmark, and we stayed at one of those.
The Best Places To Stay Near Rubjerg Knude
- 8.0Hotel Klitbakken, central Løkken. Check rates and availability
- 9.0Klitgaarden, farm B&B in Skallerup Klit. Check rates and availability
Scores are from Booking.com.
The Moving Lighthouse
What makes Rubjerg Knude different from most lighthouses you will visit is its history with the sea. The lighthouse was built in 1900 on top of a cliff far from the water. In 1968, the lighthouse stopped operating after drifting sand covered its light, making the lighthouse pretty useless. Decades of coastal erosion later, the cliff edge had moved so close to the tower that it was at risk of collapsing into the sea entirely.
In October 2019, engineers put the entire lighthouse on rails and rolled it 70 meters inland over the course of about ten hours. Reading about this reminded me about my time as a kid, when I thought people who would be moving houses would put it on wheels and bring it to its new destination. Lol. The move bought the lighthouse an estimated 30 to 40 more years before the sea catches up again.
When you walk through the sand to get there, you realize how crazy it is that they moved the lighthouse over this kind of loose sand. I only understood the erosion when I flew my drone. From above you can see the edge of the sand cliff, and I started to understand how this cliff moves land inwards yearly.
That is the main reason to visit as soon as you get the opportunity, as this is not a lighthouse that will look the same in a decade.
The Best Photo Spots at Rubjerg Knude
There’s something special about those coastlines. As Rubjerg Knude is located on the west coast of Denmark, the best time for photography would be sunset. It reminded me of my time in Portugal, where I captured Praia da Ursa, another rugged coastline in Europe.
I visited Rubjerg Knude myself on a typical midsummer night in June, when the sun only sets after 10PM.
My favorite shot is the one in the header of this article. I took it with a 28-75mm lens standing a bit further away with the sea and horizon behind the lighthouse. When people walk by, they show up as silhouettes against the horizon.
The drone is a great option here. It can get windy, but the wind also gives you different compositions, and from above you see the full shape of the dunes and the cliff. Standard EU drone rules apply, so register as an operator and check which category your drone falls in before you fly.
Where to Sleep Near Rubjerg Knude
Denmark is a great country to explore by campervan. You cannot sleep at the parking lot, but Denmark has campsites for campers in large numbers. We stayed at one of these after the sunset.
If you are not traveling in a campervan, you have several options.
- Hotel Klitbakken: Located in Løkken, Hotel Klitbakken looks basic from the outside, but the rooms are good, and with an 8.0 on Booking.com it is a solid pick in central Løkken, close to the beach.
- Klitgaarden: This is a quiet farm B&B in Skallerup Klit, close to the beach and about 7.5 km from the lighthouse, with a 9.0 rating. Klitgaarden will give you a good sense of Denmark.
Combine Rubjerg Knude with Aalborg
On our road trip we combined the lighthouse with a visit to Aalborg. It is a young city with plenty of hip places to eat. We ate at Aalborg Streetfood Køkkenfabrikken, close to the water, with a summer atmosphere and boats in the harbor.
Rubjerg Knude: Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Rubjerg Knude?
Visiting the lighthouse and the surrounding dunes is free, and so is parking. The tractor from the parking lot to the lighthouse costs around 50 DKK (about 7 USD) per person, and you can pay by card.
Is Rubjerg Knude worth visiting?
Yes. It is one of my favorite lighthouses in Europe. Lighthouses are always special, but this one stands in the sand, is decommissioned, and was moved because the sea came too close. I have seen lighthouses in the Netherlands and Portugal, but this one feels different. Denmark is a more expensive country, but the peace, the space and the green in summer make a road trip here worth it for me.
Can you stay overnight at Rubjerg Knude?
No, overnight parking is not allowed at the parking lot. There are campsites for campers nearby.
How long does it take to walk to the lighthouse?
About 20 minutes from the parking area. The last stretch goes through loose sand, so it can feel more tiring than the distance suggests.
How long does it take to walk around Eibsee?
The full loop is about 7.5 kilometers and typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours. This entirely depends on the amount of photo stops you take along the trail. Without stops, you could do it in a bit less than 2 hours.
Is the walk to the Rubjerg Knude lighthouse difficult?
No, it is an easy walk for most fitness levels. The only challenge is the loose sand. Walk on the side of the path where the sand is less loose, or take the tractor from the parking lot.
Can you climb the lighthouse?
Yes, and entry is free.
Are dogs allowed at Rubjerg Knude?
Yes, dogs are allowed. We walked with ours along the side of the path. Dogs must remain on a leash at all times while exploring the area, trails, and dunes.
Where is Rubjerg Knude in Denmark?
Rubjerg Knude is in North Jutland, near Lønstrup, on the northwest coast of Denmark.
