Find Fossils from Olden Days

Fossil Hunt in Denmark – Nine Great Locations

Above and below ground in Denmark, are several places where it is possible to find fossils and relics of the past. We will provide you with a thorough guide so you can go on a fossil hunt when you spend your holiday in Denmark.

Geocenter Møns Klint and Møns Klint
Møns Klint (Cliff) is the best location. You will certainly find something special to bring home. Spend a whole day at Geocenter Møns Klint and take a walk on the beach. The Centre offers an interactive and modern exhibition which is fun for children and adults. There's much to see and do, including a 3D cinema and workshop. Take the guided tour to Møns Cliff and get help finding fossils or crawl among the rocks and sand. Remember to follow the on-site instructions. A day trip to the island of Møn is possible if you stay at Danhostel Vordingborg.

FOSSIL GUARANTEE
You are guaranteed to find even one thunderstone (belemnite). NB. Strong winds it may be impossible to get down to the beach at Geocenter Møns Klint, so if you would like to take the tour, take the trip a little further south of Busenevej to another beach. There are ample opportunities to find thunderstones and other fossils. Walk the 2.5 km by the cliffs along the water.

Faxe Kalkbrud (Limestone Quarry) and Geomuseum Faxe
Geomuseum Faxe are located at the edge of the beautiful Faxe Limestone Quarry, which has been in use for 900 years. Visit the museum and see the exhibition including various fossils found in the limestone. After the exhibition, rent a hammer and chisel and cut through the limestone to discover your own fossils. It is possible to get a guided tour. The white limestone reflects the light from the sun so remember to bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat on a sunny day. As an additional benefit, Danhostel Faxe lies next door to Geomuseum Faxe and offers views of the beautiful limestone quarry. Book your accommodation and dig for fossils until late in the evening.

FOSSIL GUARANTEE
The limestone contains coral reef fossil.
 

Quartz crystals form a flint geode and a handful of thunderstones.

Museums, Moler Slopes and Moler Pit on Fur
Moler (deposits, also known as mo-clay), on Fur (an island in the middle of the area called Limfjorden), has a treasure trove of animal and plant fossils. Visit Mors Museum or Fur Museum and see some of the best specimens. Ask about the Lynghøj Crystal - the largest found in Denmark. Move freely along the beach on paths, and at the coastline. Try climbing the moler slopes and take in the views from the top. A day on Fur is a wonderful experience. Stay at Danhostel Nykøbing Mors which is close by. Trips to Fur are arranged in Nykøbing Mors.

NaturBornholm and Robbedale Gravel Pit
At NaturBornholm you can take a trip back in time to when the fossils were still living animals and plants. Take one of the guided tours on Bornholm and enjoy the natural surroundings. NaturBornholm offers trips through Robbedale Grusgrav (Gravel Pit) in search of dinosaur and crocodile teeth, turtle shells and fish scales. There are also trips to Arnager Havn (Harbour) and Risegård Waterfalls at the Skelbro Limestone Quarry - well-known places to find fossils on Bornholm. Danhostel Sandvig is close by.

Museum of South Jutland and Gram Lergrav (Clay Pit)
Gram Lergrav (Clay Pit), is located just north of the city of Gram near the Museum of Southern Jutland. Here small screwdrivers and large spades are the preferred tools used to dig is as the clay is very soft. There are opportunities to find fossils of mussel and conch shells that you can take with you, but bones and teeth should be given to the museum. The clay is very muddy when it rains, so bring extra clothes. The museum has exhibits of the most interesting finds from the clay pit, including two large whale skeletons, plus many interesting bones and skulls. It is estimated that these fossils originated from an old sea that was 10 million years old. It is easy to reach Gram Lergrav when you stay at Danhostel Ribe or Danhostel Haderslev.

Antlers from Gram Lergrav, Amber Nugget and Arnager Beach.

Dalbyover Kalkgrav (Limestone Quarry)
In this small limestone quarry between Randers and Hadsund (just south of Dalbyovre) it is possible to find many different fossils, especially many round sea urchins. Collect small amounts of fossils here for your own use. You have access all year round during the daytime. Follow the directions at the location and keep your distance from working machines. Be aware that large chunks of lime can collapse at any time. Dalbyover Quarry is not far from Danhostel Rebild or Danhostel Hobro.

Arnager on Bornholm
Arnager and its associated beach is a small fishing village in the southern section of Bornholm, not far from the capital, Rønne. Here the lime is visible on the coast. Go hunting for fossils on the beach. There are often mussels and conch shells hidden in the lime, plus plants and fish scales. If you find traces of large dinosaurs, these are considered the property of Denmark and should be turned in to the Museum of Natural History. NaturBornholm organises trips to Arnager to hunt fossils. Spend the night at Danhostel Sandvig and travel around the island.

Katbjerg Odde and Bramslev Baker at Mariager Fjord
The area around Mariager fjord offers great places to find fossils, such as the coastline east of Mariager, Katbjerg Odde and Bramslev Bakker. You will find several varieties of sea urchins and Bryozo fossils which come from small bryozoa, also known as moss animals which resemble fish scales. Look for the small columnar symmetrical fossils from silver lilies. It is easier to visit these locations when you stay at Danhostel Hobro.

Go on an Amber Hunt by the North Sea
Amber is millions of years old resin and is therefore called a type of fossil. Along the west coast of Jutland, you might just find a piece of amber. The best time to discover amber is a few days after a storm or strong winds. Walk along the sand and search among rocks and seaweed. Stay at Danhostel Blåvandshuk, Danhostel Nymindegab, Danhostel Henne Strand, Danhostel Ringkøbing, Danhostel Thyborøn, Danhostel Agger or Danhostel Fjaltring to be close to the west coast of Jutland.

On the map, you will see the sites marked in green where you can go on a fossil hunt. The areas in red represent museums and the blue icons are Danhostels.