Langeland

Langeland runs about fifty kilometres north to south and rarely more than a few wide, a farming island of rolling fields, hedgerows, small harbours and a run of manor houses, joined to Funen by bridges. Its southern tip at Dovns Klint and Gulstav is the point: a headland where migrating birds concentrate before the crossing south, with a bird tower and one of the better raptor counts in Denmark in autumn, and where a herd of semi-wild Exmoor ponies has been introduced to graze the coastal scrub and keep it open. Tranekaer Castle stands in the middle of the island in a park used for large-scale land art. Rudkobing is the main town, with an old centre and a harbour.

What you actually see

• Exmoor ponies at Gulstav - a semi-wild grazing herd on the southern tip.
• Dovns Klint migration point - the headland where birds gather before crossing.
• Tranekaer Castle park - land art installations in the estate grounds.
• Rudkobing old town - the island's market town and harbour.

When to go

April to October, with September and October the best months for raptor migration at the southern tip. Two days to cover the island. Summer brings Danish holiday traffic. Winter is quiet and much closes.

Honest expectations

The island is long and thin and getting from end to end takes time; a car or bike is needed. Public transport is sparse. The ponies range over a large area and are not always visible. Accommodation is limited outside summer.

Nearby

Tasinge and Svendborg lie north; ferries connect to Lolland and Aero.