Join us on an adder safari
The adder is Denmark's only venomous snake – and one of the animals that most people have an opinion about and fewest have actually seen. On this tour you get the chance to experience it up close, on its own terms.
In spring, when the sun begins to gain strength, the adders crawl out of their winter shelters to warm up their bodies. On the open, sun-facing slopes and beach ridges at Gjerrild Nordstrand, they often lie completely still in the morning sun – and that is exactly where the chance of seeing them is greatest. Every Sunday morning in April, we walk the route together.
Along the way, your guide talks about the adder's life: how to recognise it by its zigzag stripe, why the males emerge first, what it feeds on, and how to move sensibly through adder country. We look – we do not touch. Like all Danish reptiles, the adder is a protected species, and besides, it would much rather flee than bite.
The tour proceeds at a leisurely pace. Remember sturdy footwear and long trousers, and leave the dog at home – for its sake and for the adders'.
- Time:
- Every Sunday morning in April, 08:00. The tour lasts approx. 0 hours.
- Location:
- Gjerrild Nordstrand in northern Djursland. We meet in the car park by the beach.
Open in Google Maps → - Price:
- DKK 000 per participant.
- Organiser:
- Vild med Djursland in collaboration with a local nature interpreter.
- Practical info:
- Sturdy footwear and long trousers are recommended. Feel free to bring binoculars. The tour only goes ahead in dry, mild weather – the adders stay home in the rain, and so do we. If the tour is cancelled, you will be notified directly.
By the way, did you know that the adder's venom is primarily intended for mice and lizards? Bites on humans are rare and almost only happen if the snake feels cornered. If you spot an adder on your own: stand still, enjoy the sight from a distance – and let it go about its business.