Højby: Højby Sø, church and historic sites

Højby Sø: Natural area with a history

Højby Sø combines nature observation with a historic setting. The lake was restored across an area of 60 hectares; the lake itself covered 40 hectares when it was completely filled in 1993. In the past, it formed part of the defence system of Borren, a medieval castle.

Getting there and finding your way around

Højby has a railway station on the Odsherred Railway and is a stop on route 510R Odsherred Railway. Højby is also located a few kilometres from Route 21. The railway connection and Route 21, just a few kilometres away, offer two different travel connections to Højby.

Birdlife and paths by the lake

Mute swans, greylag geese, coots and great crested grebes breed in the area around Højby Sø. The southern slopes have never been farmed; you can therefore encounter plants there that were already growing here in the Middle Ages. There are no paths in the north-western part of the lake, giving the birds a refuge without people nearby. For birdwatching at Højby Sø, the path-free north-western part of the lake is spatially distinct from the areas with gravel and informal paths.

Boating is prohibited on Højby Sø; fishing is also prohibited in most of the lake. There are gravel and informal paths by the lake, adapted to the designated routes.

Højby Church and its art

Højby Church is one of the largest and oldest fieldstone churches on Zealand. It has a chancel and a nave from the 12th century, built from unworked and split fieldstones.

Its wall paintings are dated to the period from 1200 to 1410. They depict scenes from the New Testament, the Last Judgement, stories from the childhood of Jesus and portrayals of everyday life. The wall paintings in Højby Church include a depiction of Saint Olaf. In the church interior, two forms of expression from different periods stand side by side: structures built from unworked and split fieldstones, and stories from religion and everyday life painted on the walls.

Historic sites and excursions

Syvhøje is a group of six burial mounds between Højby and Nykøbing Sjælland. The burial mounds date from the Early Bronze Age, around 500 BC. From the car park near Næsholm on Nygårdsvej, a signposted small walking trail leads to Syvhøje, the group of six burial mounds between Højby and Nykøbing Sjælland.

Gekko Park has four climbing courses with different levels of difficulty. MinigolfParken has 18 adventure holes inspired by Odsherred’s characteristic landmarks. The attractions take different forms: Gekko Park has climbing courses with different levels of difficulty, while MinigolfParken has 18 adventure holes inspired by Odsherred’s landmarks.

More destinations: Strandhuse, Gudmindrup, Føllenslev, Tengslemark, Hørve, Ebbeløkke, Holte and Nørre Asmindrup.

To the overview of destinations: Odsherred.