FAQ

In a closed, fenced-off enclosure.

The fence around the lady’s slipper orchid’s growing site in Bjergeskoven passed its 100th anniversary many years ago. Unfortunately, soon after the plant was discovered, it became clear that visitors could not leave it in peace. Even today, rare orchids are high on the wish list of unscrupulous plant collectors.

All Danish orchids are protected by law, and it is illegal to pick them or dig them up.

The lady’s slipper orchid was once close to disappearing from Bjergeskoven, but careful nature management inside the enclosure has helped. Today, more flowering shoots are seen each year. However, many years of dedicated work can quickly be undone. In 2012, 44 plants – more than one fifth of the population – were dug up and stolen. It was a serious blow to the thousands of visitors who come each year to experience one of the forest’s treasures in bloom around 1 June.

The fenced area is also home to a fine population of liverleaf and the beautiful red helleborine orchid, which is almost rarer than the lady’s slipper orchid on a European scale. Red helleborine blooms in July.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

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

You are allowed to drink the water from springs such as Ravnkilden. The water is 7–8°C all year round, and you can fill up your water bottle here before heading out on a hiking or cycling trip in the forest.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

The routes take you through beautiful, hilly terrain on both narrow paths and gravel roads, which can make it difficult to use a stroller or pram. We therefore recommend using a baby carrier for young children. Please remember to bring your own baby carrier.

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

Yes. You are allowed to light a fire at the campfire sites established by the Danish Nature Agency.

You can find the campfire sites at www.udinaturen.dk.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Climbing with special equipment requires permission in public forests. However, normal tree climbing is allowed.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency
 

Yes. The Danish Nature Agency has several large campsites in the forests with room for an entire school class, scout group or similar group.

These large campsites must be booked in advance.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency
 

Individuals, small groups and families are welcome to use shelters and overnight sites in the forest. You may stay overnight for a maximum of two nights in the same place.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Yes, but dogs must be kept on a leash.

In the Danish Nature Agency’s forests, there are designated dog forests where your dog may run freely, but still under control. In all other parts of the forest, dogs must be kept on a leash out of consideration for wildlife and other visitors.

Kilde: The Danish Nature Agency
 

Only where the owner has given permission. In many of the Danish Nature Agency’s forests, however, it is possible to pitch a tent, in areas with free tenting.
See where you are allowed to pitch a tent here.

Source: Naturstyrelsen

No, motor vehicles are not allowed for the public anywhere in the Danish Nature Agency’s forest and nature areas. If you do come across cars, they may be there as part of forest management work.
The same applies to the privately owned parts of the forest.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

Horse riding is only allowed on paved or stone-surfaced roads and on gravel paths that are more than 2.5 metres wide. If the road or area is privately owned, the owner may prohibit horse riding there.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency

In forests managed by the Danish Nature Agency, cycling is allowed on roads and paths at all times of day.
In privately owned forests, cycling is allowed on roads and paths from 6:00 am until sunset.

Source: The Danish Nature Agency