Tolne: Hilly Landscape, Nature Park and Cultural Heritage

Tolne combines a hilly Ice Age landscape with marked trails, special natural areas and historic sites. Tolne Nature Park covers 2,440 hectares and offers views across Skagens Odde. This gives you various ideas for planning your trip: a short loop through the forest, a longer hike through the nature park, a cycling tour over changing surfaces or an excursion to the church and Stone Age burial monument.

Nature Park and Forest Landscape

The characteristic landscape of Tolne Nature Park is shaped by the mosaic-like combination of old deciduous forest and open natural areas. Numerous rare plants and insects are part of this environment. The Tolne Bakker Natura 2000 site also belongs to the nature park. The separate area of Tolne Skov covers 715 hectares and is likewise situated in a hilly landscape. Tolne Skov was designated as a protected area in 2000, covering the northernmost part of the forest.

Anyone who primarily wants to plan nature experiences when choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house can use their preferred daily activities as a starting point. For a manageable walk, the marked Tolne Skov hiking route, Red Route, with a length of 1.3 kilometres, is a suitable option. There are also several other marked hiking trails in Tolne Skov. The Tolne Nature Park Route is listed as being between 12.6 and 23.3 kilometres long and runs through the entire Tolne Nature Park, from Katsig Bakker in the south to Eskær Skov in the north.

Hiking and Cycling with Different Focuses

The Tolne Nature Park Route can be started near the Tolne Skov Pavilion, where parking is also available. At the Tolne Skov Pavilion, you can pass under the railway line to reach the part of the forest located south of the line.

The landscape can also be experienced from a different perspective by bicycle. The Tolneruten runs through hilly terrain in Tolne Nature Park. Along the way, it alternates between paved roads, gravel roads, dirt tracks and small paths. If your travel group has different preferences, you can choose between a hike with impressions of nature and the landscape and a cycling tour with changing trail surfaces.

Cultural History Around Tolne

Tolne Kirkeby is the original settlement, with a Romanesque church from the 13th century, and lies about two kilometres south of the station town of Tolne. Tolne Church was built from medieval bricks that may have been produced in the nearby area. After contacting the church caretaker, Jørgen Kristensen, at telephone number 98 93 03 87, the church can be visited inside.

Another distinctive site is Stenhøj, a protected Stone Age burial monument from the Neolithic period located 400 metres north of Tolne Church. Stenhøj is approximately 28 metres long, 8 metres wide and 1 metre high, and is surrounded by 19 large boundary stones. A visit can therefore be combined with a historical interest in settlement and landscape history.

The old village of Tolne developed primarily into a railway town after the railway line between Hjørring and Frederikshavn was built in 1871. The Tolne Skov Pavilion also tells the story of this development: it was built in 1907 on the initiative of the estate owner Jørgen Larsen of Gaardbogaard and the landowner Jens Saxager. From its inauguration in 1908, the pavilion was leased as a Traktørsted and was later also used as a dance hall. A pond and a network of paths were created below the pavilion. The Tolne Skovpavillon association owns the main building and the barn and rents both out for private celebrations.

More Places for Your Search

If you would like to explore more places besides Tolne, you can continue your search with Østervrå, Napstjært, Dybvad, Skagen, Hulsig, Åsted, Nielstrup and Voerså.

To the higher-level travel overview: Frederikshavn Municipality.