Aalborg’s Secret Gem: Nordens Kridtgrav

Aalborg is known for its rich cultural history, and is considered to be "the cultural capital of Denmark". And just like any other city, it has its hidden gems that only locals know about.  

The Nordens Kridtgrav (the Nordic chalk pit) is Aalborg’s most beautiful hidden gem. It is a man made lake, located in the south-western part of the city, bordering with the Limfjord canal, which divides Jutland with the Denmark’s mainland. 

Nordens Kridtgrav

As the name suggests, this chalk pit has been created over 70 years ago, when a cement factory was digging for chalk, creating a soft limestone rock at the bottom of the lake. The chalk lake has been open to the public by the Aalborg Municipality, since the 1980s. The lake is 600 meters long, 200 meters wide and 10-12 meters deep, and is filled with stunning blue-greenish water. The magnificent composition of the lake’s colour has been created due to the large amount of calcium in the water;  as the light is reflected in the water, a picturesque, impressive colour is formed. 

The chalk lake is a rather popular spot amongst the locals, especially in the warm spring and summer days, providing Danes with a peaceful oasis. It is not far from the centre of Aalborg, and is surrounded by nature, plants and animals, making it a perfect escape from the busy city life. The chalk pit and its surroundings have become a habitat for 100 different plants and species, which also reside in the water, as they have become linked to the limestone base. 

Along with plants, one can come across 46 different bird species, such as swans, beetles, sparrows and falcons. The lake site becomes the ideal resting place for birds during the winter period, as well as for bats that hibernate and seek shelter in the mine tunnels. Interestingly enough, the bats are considered as vulnerable animals, as they lack a safe habitat, thus the municipality locks the tunnels where they reside in the summer and winter months. 

Swimming in the lake is not advisable, and can be dangerous, moreover the greater the depth of the lake the colder the water gets. However, many athletes and Danes are out there to train and practice various kinds of sports, including triathlon and diving. Exercising is a great part of the Danish culture, hence lots of work and effort has been invested over the years to transform this site into a recreational area. Families like to plan weekend picnic trips with their kids, and use this place as a social gathering spot. Numerous paths, stairs and benches have been built, and various plants were planted, making this lake site a fantastic place for all its visitors. 

Cover Picture © Credits to flickr/hjalte nielsen