Rebild Bakker Trail: A Hiking Experience Among Europe’s Best

The Rebild Bakker Trail is one of the gems in Himmerland’s extensive network of walking routes. Opened on 2 June 2018, the trail sets new standards for hiking in Denmark and has received wide recognition for its high quality.

As the first trail in Denmark, this 10.8 km route has achieved double certification: as a Quality Trail by the Danish Ramblers’ Association and as a Premium Hiking Trail by the German Hiking Institute. The latter is Europe’s strictest quality system for hiking trails, where only the very best routes make the cut.

Designed for the Best Experiences

The trail is marked with white arrows and was planned by the Danish Nature Agency Himmerland in collaboration with Rold Skov Nature and Culture Centre. The aim was to guide you through the most beautiful and varied parts of the landscape.

Along the way, there are plenty of opportunities to rest on benches and enjoy the silence and the magnificent views. And if 10.8 km feels a little too far, the route has been designed so it can be shortened to either 4 or 8 km.

Highlights Along the Trail

Ravnkilden: For many, this is the most beautiful spring in Rold Forest. It emerges as a marsh spring at the foot of the twisted beech trees and runs right across the path. Thanks to stepping stones, you can cross the spring with dry feet, and the crystal-clear water is perfect for refilling your bottle with fresh spring water.
Lars Kjær’s House: At the foot of the hills stands the house where the famous poacher Lars Kjær lived with his family. He was a poor man who hunted roe deer in the forest at night to feed his hungry children. Although it was illegal, people at the time often turned a blind eye, as he acted out of need rather than for profit.
Troldeskoven – The Troll Forest: This area has been designated as untouched forest, which means nature is left to take care of itself without human intervention. The many-stemmed, gnarled beech trees have given the forest its name – at dusk, the twisted trunks can easily be mistaken for trolls. From the forest tower at Høje Odde, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the area.
Sønderkol and Gryden: The trail takes you up across Sønderkol, which, at 102 metres, is the highest point in the hills. From here, you can look down into “Gryden”, where American Independence Day is celebrated every year on 4 July at the Rebild Festival.

Practical Information

Starting point: You can start the walk from several places, but most people choose RebildPorten at Rebildvej 25A, 9520 Skørping, where there is free parking and easy access to Rebild National Park.

Maps and information: The Danish Nature Agency’s map provides detailed information about the route and the different experiences in the area.

Animals on the trail: Please note that during the summer months, you may meet grazing animals that help maintain the unique landscape.

To learn more about Rebild Bakker and Rold Skov, visit RebildPorten’s website.

Enjoy your hike!