Holte: Grevinge Skov, forest history and trails

Holte combines a distinctive forest history with a variety of experiences in the surrounding area. Grevinge Skov, a deciduous forest in hilly terrain by the diked Sidinge Fjord, is located near Holte.

Grevinge Skov and the trails around Holte

There are numerous roads and paths in Grevinge Skov. However, there are no marked hiking or running routes. The Grevinge–Plejerup–Prejlerup route is also of interest for a planned hike: it is 19 km long and unmarked. These details belong in your daily planning if you would like to include a longer route in your stay; they say nothing about walking time or level of difficulty.

The official approach to Grevinge Skov leads from the outskirts of Herrestrup via Holtevej. There are car parks at several locations around the forest. Those travelling with different interests can therefore plan their stay as a combination of their own route planning, nature observation and historical traces. Horse riding is permitted throughout Grevinge Skov. You can also find chanterelles, boletes, trumpet mushrooms and other mushrooms there.

Historical traces in the forest

Grevinge Skov is notable not only for its landscape. Horsebjerg, a Neolithic long barrow, is located in Holtemose Hegn. Hamlet's Grav, a long barrow from the same period, is also located in Grevinge Skov. Traces of the former emergency airfield at Vig are still visible as well. This former airfield had 10 to 12 aircraft parking spaces.

The history of the forest areas goes back further. In 1779, the enclosure of Holtemose Hegn and Lykkens Hegn began in the area around Holte. Three generations of forest wardens from the same family helped plant Grevinge Skov. Holte formerly belonged to the so-called “Skovbyerne” or “Birkebyerne”, the forest or birch villages. Four farms are recorded there for the year 1750.

Discovering the past consciously

The history around Holte includes several specific traces. Near Holte Mose, there was a long barrow on plot 4b with 51 kerbstones. Southeast of the former Holte Sø or Kjelmose, a round dolmen with five supporting stones and a large capstone stood on a small rise. The stones of this round dolmen were removed in 1828 and reused for bridge construction at Svinninge Vejle.

The forest warden’s house in Holte also tells of the area’s transformation: it was demolished in 1912 and replaced by a brick house made of red brick. The low-lying area north of the forest road was called Holte Sø or Kjelmose. Holte itself extended from east to west. Such details give a hike or drive through the surrounding area a historical context.

Holte as a starting point for planning your trip

When searching for accommodation in Holte, you can first consider what type of holiday you are planning. For a trip involving longer walks, the unmarked 19 km route is a different focus from a stay where you choose individual forest paths, horse-riding opportunities or historical traces. Those travelling with children can also consider whether a treasure hunt in Grevinge Skov fits into their shared programme. It is offered as an experience in the area around Holte, without being tied to a specific duration or set itinerary.

Holte is therefore suitable as a search location for travellers who want to combine nature and local history. A holiday apartment or holiday home can be selected to suit your own plans, without limiting the trip to just one activity. The key consideration is whether you want to focus on forest trails, the history of the former forest and farming landscape, or a shared exploration tour.

Other places to search

If you would like to expand your trip planning to other places, you can also visit Sjællands Odde, Gudmindrup, Føllenslev, Nykøbing Sjælland, Skæreby, Rørvig, Stenstrup and Nyrup.

To the higher-level travel overview: Odsherred.