Two new hiking trails in Denmark aim to educate locals and visitors about the country’s bat population—including 10 species found in a single region—while increasing public support for the protection of these endangered mammals.
New Trails Celebrate Denmark’s Bat Diversity
Two new hiking trails have been inaugurated in southern Jutland to promote awareness of Denmark’s native bat species. Located in Hostrup Krat and Søgård Forest near the town of Aabenraa, the trails are designed to educate the public about one of the country’s most unique and endangered groups of mammals. The new hiking trails in Denmark give people a chance to see bats up close.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between WWF Denmark (WWF Verdensnaturfonden) and the Danish Bat Association (Dansk Flagermus Forening). It aims to elevate the profile of bats, challenge public misconceptions, and spotlight their crucial ecological role. The project hopes to show that bats are important to Danish nature.
Søgård Forest and the nearby Hostrup Krat are home to an impressive 10 of Denmark’s 17 native bat species, making the area a notable biodiversity hotspot for bats. These include several protected and declining species, such as the pond bat and the brown long-eared bat.
The hiking trails in Denmark measures approximately 2.5 kilometers in length and features a series of information panels that explain the biology, habits, and conservation status of bats. The trails are open to the public year-round and are accessible free of charge.
Technology Meets Nature in New Trail Experience
The official trail opening on September 10 welcomed nature enthusiasts, families, and local officials. Visitors in Søgård Forest not only explored the new hiking trails in Denmark but also had the chance to use thermal imaging equipment to spot bats at dusk. Participants were also provided with ultrasonic bat detectors, allowing them to hear the high-frequency echolocation calls that bats use to navigate and hunt—vocalizations usually undetectable to the human ear.
These interactive tools are intended to offer a firsthand look at the hidden lives of bats and break down unfounded fears many still harbor. Bats are sometimes unfairly stigmatized but actually play a key role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and pollinating plants.
Conservation Work Beyond the Trails
In addition to the educational trails, WWF and the Danish Bat Association have been working to improve the local environment for bats. Conservationists have installed dozens of bat boxes in the forests to provide artificial roosting sites and are experimenting with creating deliberate splits in trees that simulate natural nesting spaces.
These efforts are critical because many of Denmark’s bat species are in decline. Factors such as habitat loss, pollution, and climate change continue to pressure bat populations across Europe. In Denmark, all bat species are legally protected, but official protections often fall short without public engagement and localized conservation action.
A key goal of the project is to inspire everyday citizens to support bat-friendly initiatives, such as installing bat boxes on private property or preserving old trees and forest undergrowth in their communities.
WWF Denmark’s Broader Conservation Mission
The new trails are part of a larger WWF Denmark initiative to strengthen public understanding and stewardship of the country’s native wildlife. In recent months, WWF Denmark has launched a range of citizen science and restoration projects—from massive marine ecosystem recovery efforts in Sejerø Bay to nationwide hedgehog counts.
The organization hopes that increasing visibility and appreciation of lesser-known species like bats will encourage broader support for biodiversity efforts in Denmark.
More information about the bat trails and Denmark’s bat species can be found at wwf.dk/flagermus and daflaf.dk. The Danish Bat Association also regularly organizes guided walks for those who want a deeper dive into bat behavior and conservation.
As Denmark wrestles with growing environmental challenges, initiatives like the new hiking trails in Hostrup Krat and Søgård Forest provide a promising example of how local action and education can come together to support species protection. With over half of Denmark’s bat species present in a single forest zone, the region offers a rare look at the country’s nocturnal wildlife—and a valuable opportunity to ensure its survival.
