Idestrup between shallow coastal waters, cliffs and history

Idestrup combines diverse coastal experiences with a tangible local history. The water at Sildestrup Beach is shallow and child-friendly. Havlykke Beach, by contrast, offers a protected coastal area with sea views from steep coastal cliffs. The coastal contrast is clear: the shallow waters at Sildestrup Beach stand in contrast to the striking coastal landscape with steep cliffs near Havlykke.

Coast, dike and special nature experiences

You can go snorkelling in the area around Havlykke Beach. Pipefish and broadnosed pipefish live in the seagrass, making this stretch of coast interesting for observing small marine creatures. Visitors can walk or cycle along the dike near Havlykkevej. The dike was built after the storm surge disaster of 1872. It complements the waterside area with a firm stretch for walking or cycling. Snorkelling is associated with Havlykke Beach, while the walk and cycle ride belong to the dike near Havlykkevej.

At Havlykkevej Beach, the road leading there may be temporarily flooded. In this case, visitors must walk the final 100 m to the car park. Havlykkevej Beach can be reached by bus from Idestrup; from Idestrup, it is approximately 5 km to the beach. The approximate distance of 5 km and the possible 100 m walk describe two different sections: the connection from Idestrup to the beach and the final route from the car park. When planning the journey, the possible walk at the car park should be considered as a separate section.

Cycling routes of different lengths and local history

The three historic cycling routes from Pitstop Idestrup differ in length: the Severin-Jørgensen Route is 9.7 km long, the Rasmus-Claussen Route 29.5 km and the Edward-Tesdorpf Route 30.4 km. The two longer routes are only 0.9 km apart; at 9.7 km, the Severin-Jørgensen Route is considerably shorter and can be planned as a shorter cycling leg. The different distances provide various time frames for planning a day by bicycle. Pitstop Idestrup’s local historic cycling routes are based on the local history of Idestrup from around 1870 and on the emergence of the first cooperatives.

Church, cooperative history and local cuisine

Idestrup Church is a medieval Romanesque building with a chancel and nave made of fieldstone and monk bricks, and is dedicated to Saint George. Its furnishings include a High Renaissance altarpiece from 1598, a chancel arch crucifix from the mid-14th century and a commemorative plaque from 1601 hanging in the nave. The church was restored in 1876 by J.D. Herholdt.

Pitstop Idestrup also brings together the present and local history. The extension was added to the original building of the consumer cooperative founded in 1911 and includes rental accommodation for cycling tourists. Café Pitstop places emphasis on using as many locally grown foods as possible.

For further orientation: Eskilstrup, Øster-Ulslev, Hjelm, Toreby, Næs, Hesnæs, Listrup, Vaeggerloese

For the overarching travel overview: Guldborgsund Municipality.