Rold Forest

Rold Forest: One of Denmark’s Most Diverse Natural Gems

Covering more than 8,000 hectares, Rold Forest is Denmark’s largest continuous forest. It is a landscape that impresses not only with its size, but especially with its remarkable biological and geological diversity. Here, you can wander through everything from dark cathedrals of coniferous forest to light-filled beech woods and rolling heathland, while the limestone beneath the ground sends crystal-clear water up to the surface in some of the country’s largest springs.

The Many Faces of the Forest

Rold Forest is not just one forest, but a mosaic of different woodland types, each with its own distinctive character and tree growth.

Troldeskoven – The Troll Forest

Beech is the original native forest tree species in the area. In Troldeskoven, you will find the famous “røllebøge” – twisted beech trees that have grown as multi-stemmed trees from the stump of a felled tree, a traditional form of coppiced woodland.

Wind and weather, combined with the beeches’ genetic origin, have given them their crooked, almost troll-like appearance. Many of these trees are more than 300 years old and close to their maximum lifespan.

You can read more about Troldeskoven by clicking here.

Urskoven – The Ancient Forest

In Kyø Forest, also known as Urskoven, nature has been left to take care of itself since 1850. It has been designated as untouched forest, where fallen trunks are allowed to decay, creating a wonderful habitat for fungi, insects and cavity-nesting birds such as woodpeckers.

The oldest trees in Urskoven are also around 300 years old.

You can read more about Urskoven by clicking here.

Jætternes Baghave – The Giants’ Backyard

In the mid-1800s, fast-growing conifers from North America began to be introduced to the area. This development culminated in the area known as Jætternes Baghave. Here, you can experience:

• Douglas fir: Trees rising more than 50 metres into the air.
• Grand fir: Known for its distinctive scent of orange when you rub the needles.
• Sitka spruce: A hardy spruce that thrives in Himmerland’s moist climate.

Den Jyske Skovhave – The Arboretum

Den Jyske Skovhave is a living tree museum founded in the 1940s by forest supervisor Jens Hvass. Here, you will find more than 150 different species of trees and shrubs from across the northern hemisphere.

This is also where you will find Denmark's first dog forest. Here, dogs are allowed to run freely under supervision.

A Forest Shared Between the State and Private Estates

Rold Forest has a unique ownership structure, which has shaped its appearance over the centuries. Only around 25% — approximately 2,000 hectares — is owned by the Danish state and managed by the Danish Nature Agency.

The remaining 75% is privately owned and divided between three large estates:

• Lindenborg Estate
• Nørlund Estate
• Willestrup Estate

Limestone, Springs and Sinkholes

The foundation of the forest was created by thick layers of chalk and limestone, deposited millions of years ago. This has given rise to some of Rold Forest’s most distinctive natural phenomena:

The Springs

The limestone layers act as a huge natural filter. Rainwater seeps down through the ground and is purified before emerging at the surface.

• Lille Blåkilde: The name is misleading, as this is actually one of Denmark’s most water-rich springs, producing up to 90 litres per second. The water has a constant temperature of 7–8°C all year round.
• Store Blåkilde: Known for its deep blue colour, created by the pale limestone bed and the great depth of the spring basin itself.
• Ravnkilde: A famous marsh spring, where water bubbles up from many places on a slope and flows down towards Lindenborg Å. The area is home to rare flora and fauna, including the rare spring snail.

Sinkholes

When groundwater dissolves the limestone underground over thousands of years, large cavities can form. If the ceiling of such a cavity collapses, a sinkhole is created.

• Røverstuen: One of the best-known sinkholes, which according to legend was used as a hiding place by the notorious robbers of Rold.
• Hestegraven: A deep, funnel-shaped hole that bears witness to the powerful forces involved in the chemical breakdown of limestone.

The Lakes: Two Very Different Worlds

Rold Forest is home to two of Denmark’s most interesting lakes:

• Store Økssø: A “tea-coloured” lake. The colour comes from a high content of humic acids from the surrounding peat bogs. Today, the lake has been cleaned up and is a popular bathing spot, with a constructed path all the way around it — approximately 3 km and suitable for wheelchair users.

Read more about Store Økssø

• Madum Sø: Located in the eastern part of the forest, Madum Sø is one of Denmark’s cleanest lobelia lakes, with crystal-clear water and a white sandy bottom. The lake covers around 200 hectares and is up to 7 metres deep in the middle.

Read more about Madum Sø

Lady’s Slipper Orchid: The Forest’s Rare Botanical Jewel

Among the old, twisted beech trees of Bjergeskoven, one of Denmark’s most exclusive nature experiences is hidden: the lady’s slipper orchid. This orchid is one of the country’s rarest plants and is found in only a very few locations.

It thrives here thanks to the limestone-rich soil, which is so characteristic of Rold Forest’s geology. To see its striking yellow flowers, plan your visit in early June, when the orchid is in full bloom on the light forest floor.

Please note: As the orchid is extremely vulnerable and fully protected, it is now fenced off to ensure that the few remaining plants are left to survive in peace.

History and Legends

The history of the forest is closely linked to human survival.

• The Bronze Age: The area is dotted with burial mounds. Svinehøjene and the 50 burial mounds in Rebild Bakker are especially strong reminders of early settlement.
• The Robbers: In the 19th century, the forest was so vast and impenetrable that it served as a refuge for outlaws. The tales of “The Robbers of Rold” are a central part of the local cultural history.
• The Cold War: Deep inside the forest near Thingbæk Limestone Mines lies the REGAN Vest bunker. It was built in the 1960s as a nuclear-proof facility for the Danish government and the royal family. Today, it is a museum offering a unique insight into one of Denmark’s greatest secrets.

Activities in the Forest

Today, Rold Forest is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts:

• Mountain biking: The forest is home to some of Denmark’s best and most challenging mountain bike routes, including the famous “24-hour route”.
• Hiking and running: There are countless marked routes to explore. The Rebild Bakker Trail, marked with white arrows, is Denmark’s first internationally recognised hiking route. The Gravlev Ådal Trail, marked with red arrows, has been named Denmark’s second-best hiking route.
• Winter: The hilly terrain and the forest’s geographical location make the area one of the best places for skiing in Denmark.