There are parking options close to Rebild Bakker and at several entrances to Rold Skov. The best parking area depends on the route or experience you are planning.

Contact RebildPorten or check current maps if you are unsure where to start your trip.

Yes, at RebildPorten you can get maps and brochures to help you find your way around Rebild Bakker, Rold Skov and the surrounding area.

It is a good idea to stop by before heading out into nature, especially if you are visiting the area for the first time.

At RebildPorten, you can get help planning your trip to Rebild Bakker, Rold Skov and the rest of the Rebild area.

You can find inspiration for routes, experiences, family activities, culture, nature, events, accommodation and places to eat.

RebildPorten is located by Rebild Bakker and serves as the tourist information centre and visitor centre for the area.

Here you can find inspiration for hiking routes, nature experiences, attractions, accommodation, places to eat and practical information for your visit.

Rold Skov has a rich birdlife. The Danish Nature Agency mentions, among others, great spotted woodpecker, common buzzard, tawny owl, raven, red crossbill and Eurasian nuthatch as common forest birds in the area.

You may also be lucky enough to hear or see the black woodpecker in old deciduous forest. Birdwatching experiences vary depending on the season, weather and time of day.

You are always welcome to visit RebildPorten if you would like to learn more about the birds in Rebild Bakker and Rold Skov. Here you can also see our permanent exhibition with taxidermied birds and other animals from the area.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

Yes, roe deer live in the area, and you may be lucky enough to see them along forest edges, in clearings and in quieter parts of nature.

Roe deer are shy animals. Keep your distance, move calmly and keep your dog on a lead so the animals are not disturbed.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

Yes, red deer live in Rold Skov. They are shy animals, so experiencing them requires patience and quiet behaviour.

Dusk and early morning are often the best times to look for wildlife. In September and October, you may hear the red deer’s rutting calls in some areas. A popular place to experience red deer is Tveden, close to Hobrovej.

To get to Tveden, you can park approximately 500 metres north of Tveden on Hobrovej and walk south. Red deer can especially be experienced in the western part of Tveden, which is located on the west side of Hobrovej. You can often hear the deer calls from the public road.

Tveden and the surrounding forest are private areas. Please remember to respect the access rules, especially in private forest areas and after dark.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

In Rebild Bakker and Rold Skov, you can experience a varied wildlife. The area is home to mammals, birds, bats, insects and small animals that live in forests, heathland, meadows, bogs, lakes and streams.

You may be lucky enough to see roe deer, foxes, hares, red deer and many different bird species. The animals are wild, so sightings can never be guaranteed — but the more quietly you move through nature, the better your chances.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

Yes, you may collect mushrooms for personal use where the rules of the area allow it. Only collect mushrooms you know with certainty, and leave the rest where they are.

In private forests, you may only collect what you can reach from roads and paths. In publicly owned forests, there is generally more opportunity to collect mushrooms when walking on the forest floor.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

Some common flowers may be picked in small amounts for personal use, but you must never pick protected plants or dig up plants.

Pay special attention to orchids and other rare plants. All Danish orchids are protected.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.

No, you should not feed wild animals or grazing animals in nature. Wild animals need to find their food naturally, and feeding can disturb their behaviour and make them dependent on people.

Grazing animals such as sheep, cattle or horses can also become ill from unsuitable food. To experience wildlife, it is best to keep your distance, stay quiet and leave the animals undisturbed.

Free tent camping in Rold Skov

In Rold Skov, there are four areas where free tent camping is allowed. This means that you may pitch your tent in the forest, even though there is no established campsite:

• Nørreskoven
• Fællesskoven
• Brændeskoven
• Mosskov/Øster Bane Skov

Rules for free tent camping

When you stay overnight in an area with free tent camping, you must follow these rules:

• You may only stay one night in the same place.
• No more than two tents may be pitched together.
• The tents may be no larger than three-person tents.
• The tents must be placed out of sight from operational and residential buildings, neighbours, campsites and roads.
• Open fire is only allowed at designated campfire sites.
• Camping stoves may only be used if the burner is enclosed, as for example in a Trangia set.
• The camping stove must not be placed on leaves, needles or other flammable material. Use a stone or another non-flammable surface instead.
• Motorised driving is not allowed on the forest roads.
• It is not allowed to pitch a tent on beaches or dunes that belong to the forest areas.
• You must clean up after yourself and take all waste with you.
• Avoid noisy behaviour, and do not use loudspeakers, radios or musical instruments in a way that disturbs others.

During dry periods, the forest may be closed to the use of open fire, campfire sites and camping stoves. Current bans are announced on the Danish Nature Agency’s website and may also be shown on signs at the forest entrances.

Overnight stays at small campsites

At the small campsites, slightly different rules apply:

• You may stay overnight for up to two nights in a row.
• Motorised driving to the campsite is not allowed.
• Toilet visits must take place at a suitable distance from the site, and you must not leave any traces.
• You must take your waste with you.
• You may collect dry twigs and branches from the forest floor for your own campfire.
• You may collect plants, berries and fruit for personal use.
• The sites are intended for individuals, families and smaller groups with a few tents.
• Avoid noisy behaviour, and show consideration for both nature and other visitors.

Leave nature as you found it

With a few simple considerations, both you and the next visitors can have a good experience in the forest. Clean up after yourself, take your waste with you and leave as few traces as possible.

Enjoy your trip and your overnight stay in Rold Skov.

The lady’s-slipper orchid grows in a fenced-off area in Bjergeskoven in Rold Skov. The area is closed off to protect this rare orchid, which is protected by law — like all Danish orchids.

To learn more about the lady’s-slipper orchid, when it flowers and where you can experience it, visit our page about the lady’s-slipper orchid in Rold Skov.

Yes! Rold Forest is home to 8 different species of bat out of the 17 species found in Denmark.

The forest is a particularly good place for bats because of its combination of streams and lakes, which provide excellent feeding opportunities, the hibernation site in Thingbæk Limestone Mines, and the many hollow trees and woodpecker holes. Buildings in the forest are also used by bats – even the forest ranger’s residence, Mosskovgård, is home to a population of Denmark’s smallest bat species, the soprano pipistrelle.

Bats can be experienced all year round in Thingbæk Limestone Mines, where around 500 bats – especially Daubenton’s bats – can be found.

In summer, you can also spend an evening by Lindenborg Å or one of the forest lakes and watch the bats hunting insects over the water. Denmark’s largest bat species, the noctule bat, can often be seen before sunset, as it flies out early to hunt.

All bat species in Denmark hibernate from October to April. Some species prefer hollow trees, while others seek out limestone mines or buildings. In Rold Forest, the bats have also received a helping hand: a couple of Cold War ammunition bunkers have been specially adapted for bats.

Rold Forest is home to the following bat species:

• Serotine bat
• Noctule bat
• Brown long-eared bat
• Pond bat
• Daubenton’s bat
• Natterer’s bat
• Soprano pipistrelle
• Brandt’s bat

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

It is possible to drink water from some of the springs in the area, including Ravnkilden, which visitors often use to fill their water bottles. The water here is 7–8°C all year round.

However, always pay attention to local signs and current recommendations. If you are unsure, you should bring your own drinking water.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Many of the routes in Rebild Bakker and Rold Skov pass through hilly terrain, narrow paths and uneven surfaces. For this reason, it can be difficult to use a pushchair or pram on several of the routes.

For small children, we often recommend using a baby carrier or choosing the most accessible paths and shorter walks.

If you are visiting with a pushchair or pram, we recommend the path around Store Økssø, as it is even and easy to walk on.

In areas managed by the Danish Nature Agency, the general rule of thumb is that visitors may collect what corresponds to one carrier bag full, but only for personal use – not for commercial purposes.
Please note that you are not allowed to collect spruce branches from the forest floor, as they are an important product for forestry.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

In the forest, you may pick flowers and collect berries, fruit, mushrooms, moss, cones and similar items.

In privately owned forests, you may only collect what you can reach from roads and paths. In publicly owned forests, you may also collect items while walking on the forest floor.

You may cut or clip branches from deciduous trees that are more than 10 metres tall – for example a fresh beech branch in May – but you are not allowed to break branches off.

Everything you collect must be for your own personal use and not for commercial purposes. You may not take items that the forest owner can sell, such as decorative greenery, firewood and similar products.

A small branch lying on the ground may be considered insignificant, but a larger branch may have financial value for the forest owner and should therefore not be taken home.

Source: Naturstyrelsen

See our overview of what you are allowed to collect in nature: What may I collect in nature?

Yes, but only at designated campfire sites where fires are permitted. It is not allowed to light a fire elsewhere in the forest.

Always use the official campfire sites, check for any current fire bans, and make sure the fire is completely extinguished before you leave. You can find the campfire sites at www.udinaturen.dk.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Ordinary tree climbing is generally allowed in public forests. However, climbing with special equipment requires permission.

Always show consideration for the trees, nature and other visitors in the forest.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Yes, but larger groups should usually use the larger campsites intended for school classes, scout groups and similar groups. These sites normally need to be booked in advance.

Contact RebildPorten or check the Danish Nature Agency’s booking site if you are planning a trip for a larger group.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Shelters and primitive overnight sites can be used by individuals, families and smaller groups. Some sites must be booked in advance, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Larger groups, school classes and scout groups should usually book a larger campsite in advance.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Yes, dogs are welcome in the forest, but as a general rule they must be kept on a lead. In designated dog forests, dogs may run freely if you have full control of them and can call them back.

This rule is important out of consideration for the forest’s wildlife, other visitors and other dogs.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Whether you are allowed to pitch a tent in the forest depends on the area.

In some forests managed by the Danish Nature Agency, free tent camping is allowed. In other areas, you must use shelters, primitive overnight sites or booked campsites.

Where free tent camping is allowed, the 1-2-3 rule applies: one night in the same place, no more than two tents, and tents for a maximum of three people. Camping is only allowed where the landowner has given permission.

In many forests managed by the Danish Nature Agency, it is possible to pitch a tent, for example in areas with free tent camping. See where you are allowed to pitch a tent.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

No, motor vehicles are not allowed for the public in the Danish Nature Agency’s forest and nature areas. If you see cars in the forest, they may be there for operations, maintenance or by special permission.

Use the designated parking areas and continue your trip on foot, by bicycle or along approved routes.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Horse riding is generally allowed on asphalted or paved roads and on wide gravel paths, but local rules and signs may vary.

Use the designated riding routes where they are available, and show consideration for walkers, cyclists and nature.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

In forests managed by the Danish Nature Agency, you may cycle on roads and paths. You are not allowed to cycle on the forest floor, down slopes, on stone walls or on burial mounds.

Different rules may apply in privately owned forests. Always follow local signs and marked routes.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

In forests managed by the Danish Nature Agency, you may walk at any time of day or night. In privately owned forests, different rules apply, and as a general rule you may only walk on roads and paths from 6:00 until sunset.

Pay attention to signs in the area, and show consideration for nature, wildlife and other visitors.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency.