Kajak ved stranden med solopgang

Guide: Join Katrine on a kayak and shelter trip during the winter months

© Katrine Corfitsen
Photo: Katrine Corfitsen

Overnight stays in the outdoors are possible year-round. You just need to be properly prepared. Read Katrine's guide to a shelter and kayak trip during the cold months.

About Katrine: Katrine is a kayak instructor and lives in Vejle. She loves taking trips on the water and enjoys sharing her adventures in nature with others. Find more inspiration for trips and experiences in the great outdoors on her Instagram profile @mywateradventures

By Katrine Corfitsen.

Sleeping outdoors in winter isn't just for those with expensive gear - you can get by with a tarp for insulation, a folding mattress, your winter duvet, a hot water bottle or flask for warm liquids, and standard winter clothing. Sleeping in nature is a year-round activity, requiring more planning during colder months. However, you'll experience clearer starry night skies than in summer, when the sky isn't as dark, and you can sleep in since the sun and animals don't wake up at 4 AM.

Telt og bål om natten på sheltertur

Photo:Katrine Corfitsen

Bål i naturen

Photo:Katrine Corfitsen

On a sailing trip.

However, if you like sailing as I do, I would recommend waiting until warmer months since water sports in cold water are not for beginners.

If you are an experienced rower and would like to try sleeping outdoors while the weather is cold, I would recommend rowing somewhere that is also accessible by car. This will allow you to meet up with someone arriving by car with all the equipment you need. Buying equipment for cold nights that can also be transported in a kayak can be quite an expensive affair. Andkær Vig and Trælde Næs can be accessed from the water as well as by car.

Aftenhimmel med udsigt over Vejle Fjord og lya

Photo:Katrine Corfitsen

Here are four things that are good to know when sleeping outdoors during winter:

Firewood: The night is long – make sure you have plenty of firewood.

Food: The body burns a lot of energy during the night, especially when the weather is cold. So, make sure you eat a hearty meal in the evening and maybe a little extra supper just before jumping into bed if it has been a few hours since you had dinner.

Inner warmth: Before slipping under the covers, it is important that your body is warm from the inside. If you have been sitting by the fire for the last few hours, your body will feel warm on the outside, but because you have been sitting still, your body is actually cold. To warm up, do angel jumps for a few minutes, for instance. That way, you will get your whole body going.

Clean clothes: Finally, it is important to get dressed properly before going to bed. Make sure you change the inner layer of your clothing so it is completely fresh and sweat-free.

Kajak-Katrine i sovepose i shelter

Photo:Katrine Corfitsen

These were some recommendations from me. If you have any questions or are simply generally interested in kayaking and outdoor life, you can find me at @mywateradventures on Instagram.  

Get out into nature!

You are now well-prepared to sleep outdoors and maybe even take a trip on the water. Below you can find an overview of shelters that are particularly suitable for overnight stays during the cold months.

If you're not up for braving the cold when darkness falls, you don't have to stay overnight. You can simply book a fire pit for the day, enjoy the fresh cold air, and return home with rosy cheeks.

Remember to reserve shelters and fire huts in advance. This can be done with Udeliv Vejle by following this link: Kort - Udeliv Vejle

Find more inspiration