The NaturBornholm Robbedale gravel pit tours provide Denmark’s only opportunity to collect dinosaur fossils. Located on Bornholm island (ferry or flight from Copenhagen), these guided excursions depart from the NaturBornholm museum in Aakirkeby to visit a nearby active gravel pit containing Early Cretaceous sediments with dinosaur, crocodile, turtle, and fish remains from 140-133 million years ago. Participants can sieve gravel under supervision, searching for teeth and bone fragments from ancient river deposits. Finding dinosaur teeth is relatively common—most tours yield at least a few dinosaur teeth among the group, while crocodile and fish teeth are even more abundant. All finds can be kept.
Bornholm requires ferry (6.5 hours Køge to Rønne) or flight (35 minutes from Copenhagen) to access. From Rønne drive southeast 20 km on Route 38 to Aakirkeby. NaturBornholm is a large modern museum that is clearly signed, and also has free parking.
The fossils represent life along Early Cretaceous rivers and lakes. Small carnivorous theropod dinosaurs and herbivorous ornithopod dinosaurs left teeth in ancient river channels. Crocodiles were more abundant. Turtles and diverse fish species also inhabited the rivers. The ancient climate was warm and seasonal with wet and dry periods. The area supported dinosaur fauna with crocodiles, turtles, and abundant plants. The fossils are predominantly teeth and small bone fragments. The gravel concentrated durable teeth while destroying more fragile bones. Though small (typically 5-20 mm), each tooth represents a living dinosaur from Denmark’s Mesozoic past.
The geological area are the Robbedale and Jydegaard Formations (Berriasian-Valanginian, 140-133 million years ago). The Robbedale Formation is a geological formation dating to the Berriasian age of the Early Cretaceous, about 142 million years ago. It is on the island of Bornholm, Denmark.
The discovery of dinosaur teeth in 1980s revolutionized Denmark’s Mesozoic history. Studies in the 1990s-2000s further identified more species in the fossil record of the area. NaturBornholm was established in 2000. Guided tours started in the mid-2000s.
NaturBornholm is a museum with world-class exhibits spanning 1.8 billion years. Museum admission is 150 DKK (22 USD) for adults, and 75 DKK (11 USD) for children. Robbedale tours require separate booking and advance reservation is required. Please note the area is NOT open for independent access—tours only. Tour cost 200-250 DKK (30-37 USD) per person. Duration 2-3 hours. Minimum age 6 years. Staff provide equipment (sieves, containers, safety vests). Participants sieve gravel for teeth and bone fragments. Common finds: crocodile teeth (most participants find 1-5), fish teeth abundant. Dinosaur teeth found on many tours but not guaranteed for each person. All finds kept. Happy fossil hunting!