Stevns Klint Cliff

Website: https://stevns.dk/en/

Stevns Klint is a dramatic chalk cliff on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand in Denmark, recognized for its geological importance and as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cliff exposes the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and is noted for its fossil record and well-preserved stratigraphy.

Key on-site features include long stretches of chalk and marl cliffs, exposed sections showing the boundary layer between the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, and coastal walking routes that follow the cliff top. The site attracts geologists, naturalists and visitors interested in earth history.

The cliffs formed over millions of years and have been studied for their clear record of the mass extinction event that marks the end of the Cretaceous; they were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in recognition of this global scientific importance.

Stevns Klint lies on the southeastern coast of Zealand between towns such as Store Heddinge and Rødvig, on the Danish eastern shoreline roughly an hour’s drive south of Copenhagen.

• Geological significance: The cliffs expose the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary and associated fossil layers along a roughly 17 km stretch, with cliffs reaching up to around 40 metres in places.
• Viewing and visitor centre: Best vantage points include Højerup Church and coastal footpaths near Rødvig, and the GeoCenter offers interpretation and visitor facilities.

What to See#

• GeoCenter Stevns Klint: A small museum and visitor centre explaining the geology and the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, located near the cliffs and serving as the primary visitor information point.
• Højerup Church viewpoint: A cliff-top viewpoint at the ruined medieval Højerup Church that offers a clear view of the exposed layers of the cliff and the shoreline below.

Stevns Klint is on the island of Zealand in southeastern Denmark, about 60-80 km south of Copenhagen. By car take Route 22 and local roads to Store Heddinge and then follow signs to cliff viewpoints; the drive is roughly 1-1.5 hours from Copenhagen. Regional bus services link Copenhagen and Stevns towns, but schedules vary seasonally.

• Walk the coastal path from the village of Store Heddinge eastwards for gradually revealing views - the cliffs look best with low sun from late afternoon.
• Bring a windproof layer: the escarpment is exposed and the chalk dust feels like a sandblasting on blustery days.
• Visit the GeoCenter Stevns nearby to understand the cliff's geological story - particularly the 66-million-year-old boundary layer that marks the K-Pg extinction.