Store Økssø Lake

Around Store Økssø, you'll find a beautiful, marked hiking trail where you can experience the lake from many angles. On your trip, you will pass Havemose and St. Økssømose and walk among the tall trees of the forest. The 2.7 km loop is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers and prams. You can find Store Økssø on the Rold Skov map.

Swimming in Store Økssø

Store Økssø is a wonderful place for a dip, boasting some of the cleanest bathing water in North Jutland. At the eastern part of the lake, you will find two lovely beaches, a long jetty, and two large grassy areas where you can settle down with a blanket and towel. Along the shore, the water remains shallow for the first few meters, allowing children to swim safely while adults wade. Further out, the bottom slopes toward the center of the lake, where older children and adults can swim or perhaps try the marked 1,570-meter swimming route. Swimming in Store Økssø is ideal for both children and adults.

The water is nutrient-poor, making it one of the cleanest lakes in North Jutland. However, the water is very brown due to slow-decaying humic substances that seep into the lake from the surrounding forest areas. The brown water is completely harmless, though it does limit visibility. For the same reason, very little light reaches the bottom, resulting in almost no bottom vegetation.

Tip: Avoid wearing white swimwear to prevent discoloration.

Facts about the Lake

Elevation: 65 meters above sea level.
Area: Approx. 33 hectares.
Depth: Approx. 7.5 meters at its deepest point.
Type: Dystrophic lake type with acidic, brown water.
History: The brown color is caused by the high humic content. During World War II, peat bogs were excavated on the western side of the lake, creating several peat pits.

Fishing is permitted in the lake. If you are between 18 and 67 years old, remember to purchase a national fishing license (and any local permits if required), which can be bought at fisketegn.dk. In the lake, you can catch pike, perch, and eel.

In winter, the lake is popular for ice swimming from the jetty with a ladder, as well as a hut that functions as a sauna during the winter months to help you warm up after your cold dip.