Discover Rinkenæs: Beach, Gendarmstien and Churches

Rinkenæs combines exceptional walking experiences with historic sights and access to a beach near Rinkenæs Nederby. Anyone looking for an apartment or holiday home for their stay can already consider their preferred daily rhythm when choosing the location: Should a longer hike be the focus, a church visit that can be planned around specific times, or a varied excursion with the whole family?

Beach Access and Gendarmstien

The beach near Rinkenæs Nederby can be reached via Nederbyvej through the Lærkelunden Camping campsite or via the Gendarmstien. This provides a specific waterside reference point for planning your trip. The Gendarmstien is an 84-kilometre coastal hiking trail divided into five daily stages. You can therefore choose between a single stage and a more extensive hiking plan without having to include the entire trail in your stay.

The Tegl stage is particularly interesting: it covers 20.3 kilometres from Sønderhav to Brunsnæs. On this section, the route passes Rinkenæs Forfyr, the first of the stage's three small lighthouses. At Lærkelunden Camping, the Gendarmstien follows the beach over two bridges and along the water towards Alnor Strandpark. These are specific points of reference along the section. Take the 20.3-kilometre length into account when planning your day and choose your accommodation according to the focus of your trip.

Historic Churches with Different Visiting Hours

In addition to its trails, Rinkenæs offers a cultural reason to travel there. Rinkenæs Gamle Kirke is one of Denmark's oldest churches, was built in 1158 and is located approximately 4 kilometres outside Rinkenæs. In summer 2026, it is open to visitors on selected Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; a contact person is present during these times. For groups of at least 5 to 10 people, stories and guided tours can be requested through the Rinkenæs Sogn Menighedsråd.

When visiting Rinkenæs Korskirke, you should include the visiting conditions in your planning: It is closed to visitors during church services and on Danish public holidays. Thus, the two churches differ not only in their history but also in the respective possibilities for scheduling a visit.

Golf for the Whole Family

Another option is Benniksgaard Golf Klub. It has a pay-and-play par-3 course for the whole family, including people who do not play golf. This complements the hiking and cultural activities with a different kind of shared experience. Depending on the interests of your travel group, accommodation in Rinkenæs can therefore serve as a base for holiday days with different focuses: a hike along the water, a historic visit or an outing to the golf course.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare Rinkenæs with other places, here is a compact overview: Ertebjerg, Mjels, Langesø, Høruphav, Augustenborg, Sønderborg, Kettingskov and Bredsten.

For the higher-level travel overview: Sønderborg Municipality.