Holte: Forest, Trails and History at Grevinge Skov

Grevinge Skov lies in the surroundings of Holte, a deciduous forest in hilly terrain by the diked Sidinge Fjord. The area includes trails in Grevinge Skov, historic woodland and prehistoric traces.

Trails, access and nature experiences

Grevinge Skov has numerous roads and paths, but no marked hiking or running routes. The official access route leads from the edge of Herrestrup via Holtevej to the forest. There are several parking areas around Grevinge Skov. Visitors travelling on horseback are allowed to ride throughout the forest. The Grevinge–Plejerup–Prejlerup hiking route also passes through the area around Holte; it is 19 km long and is not signposted. The route’s 19 kilometres are relevant when planning the duration of a longer day hike. Since the route is not signposted, navigation is part of preparing for the start. The official access via Holtevej and the parking areas at several locations provide clear guidance on arrival at Grevinge Skov, before choosing the roads and paths.

Grevinge Skov and the history of Holte

The woodland tells the story of the landscape’s long development. At the beginning of the reforestation, Holtemose Hegn was one of two small woodland areas in what is now Grevinge Skov. In 1779, the enclosure of Holtemose Hegn and Lykkens Hegn began. When Grevinge Skov was established, Holte Hegn was also one of the two small remaining woodland areas. Three generations of foresters from the same family helped plant the forest.

Holte formerly belonged to the “Skovbyerne” or “Birkebyerne”, the forest or birch villages. In 1750, Holte had four farms. Holte’s forester’s house was demolished in 1912 and replaced by a brick-built house made of red brick. Holte extended from east to west.

Neolithic traces and former emergency airfield

Holtemose Hegn is home to Horsebjerg, a long barrow from the Neolithic period. Grevinge Skov also contains Hamlets Grav, a long barrow from the same era. Near Holte Mose, on parcel 4b, there was another long barrow with 51 kerbstones.

The low-lying area north of the forest road was known as Holte Sø or Kjelmose. Southeast of the former Holte Sø or Kjelmose, on a small elevation, stood a round dolmen with five supporting stones and a large capstone. The stones from this round dolmen were removed in 1828 and reused to build the bridge at Svinninge Vejle.

Traces of the former Vig emergency airfield can still be seen in Grevinge Skov. The former emergency airfield had 10 to 12 aircraft parking spaces.

Forest days with special activities

In Grevinge Skov, you can find chanterelles, boletes, trumpet mushrooms and other fungi. You can also take part in a treasure hunt there. For further orientation, you can also view the town pages for Føllenslev, Højby, Havnebyen, Hørve, Nyrup, Grevinge, Veddinge and Ordrup.

For the overarching travel overview: Odsherred.