Stevns Klint

Stevns Klint is a white chalk and limestone cliff on the coast of Zealand, and within its layers lies a thin dark line of clay, the fossil trace of the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs some sixty-six million years ago. That globally important geological record earned it UNESCO status, alongside a cliff-edge medieval church.

What you actually see

• The fish clay layer - the thin dark line marking the dinosaur extinction event.
• The chalk cliffs - the white coastal faces above the sea.
• The old church - the medieval church perched on the crumbling cliff edge.
• The visitor centre - the museum explaining the extinction and geology.

When to go

The warm months for the cliff-top walks and the beach; a clear day suits the white chalk. The visitor centre is a good year-round anchor.

Honest expectations

The famous extinction layer is a thin, subtle line, so the visitor centre's context makes it come alive rather than a dramatic sight in itself. The cliffs erode, so parts of the old church have already fallen, and edges are dangerous. It is a specialised geological visit.

Nearby

Mons Klint lies across the water; Copenhagen is about an hour away.