The nature and history of Nørreskoven Forest
Nørreskoven Forest on the north side of Vejle Inlet is one of the most frequented forest in the area – one that invites you to enjoy many outdoor experiences. The very versatile piece of nature offers grave mounds, dried out springs and monuments. Nørreskoven is particularly well-known for the large beech trees from the early sixteenth century. Also enjoy a stroll in Dyrehaven (deer park). See the forest from above in the treetop climbing park, Gorilla Park Vejle, or challenge yourself to the forest trails by the sports college, Vejle Idrætshøjskole.
Nørreskoven comprises the areas known as Forkobbel, Bagkobbel and Polakkerskoven.
The former ski jumping hill is one of the curiosities of the Bagkobbel area. It was built during World War 2 in connection with the very cold winters.
Polakkerskoven got its name from some Polish mercenaries, who roamed the forest during the Swedish War in the years 1658-60. The citizens of the city captured the Poles and built their skulls into the north gable of Saint Nicolai’s Church, where they are still seen.
Far into the seventeenth century, the holy spring of Helligkilden was visited by sick people on May 1 and on Midsummer Day. In 1905, the spring was restored, but has since dried out.
Deer in Nørreskoven Forest. Foto: Mads Hansen
What can you experience in Nørreskoven Forest?
- The Dyrehaven area
Dyrehaven (deer park) stretches over a 30-hectare area in the south-eastern part of Nørreskoven. The motorway cuts through the heart of the woodland, but there is a passage between the two sections under the arches of the Vejle Bridge, where you can also admire this huge construction. It is possible to get very close to the 2 deer species fallow deer and bead. Please note: it is not allowed to feed the deer. - Obstacle course, mountain bike trails and disc golf
At Vejle Idrætshøjskole (sports school) in the northeastern part of Nørreskoven, there are mountain bike trails, an obstacle course, and a disc golf course. The area is accessible from Nørremarksvej via Ørnebjergvej east of the school.
The very hilly Nørreskov Forest is ideal for mountain biking, and everyone can join in on the five-kilometer-long established mountain bike trail. The trail is shaped like a figure-eight with two different difficulty levels. The surface is firm, so the trail can be ridden year-round, regardless of weather conditions.
The challenging 600-meter-long OCR obstacle course (OCR stands for obstacle course race) with 15 different exercise tools is built from the forest's materials.
In the area, there is also a disc golf course, which can be booked through the sports school's course center. - Gorilla Park Vejle
Gorilla Park Vejle offers obstacles of varying difficulty levels. Everyone can try out the more than 100 climbing elements between trees and treetops. Read more about Gorilla Park Vejle via this link: Gorilla Park Vejle (visitvejle.com)
Mountainbiking in Nørreskoven. Foto: Roar Paaske
Routes in the area
Green route, 3 km: This route passes by the old and new stadiums and a stretch where you find old beech trees. Where possible, the old giant trees are left standing. Dead trees - both standing and lying - are allowed to remain in the forest. They are home to many fungi and insects that break down the dead wood. Find the route online by following this link: Kløversti-green - Udeliv Vejle (only in Danish)
Blue route, 5,3 km: This route goes through Nørreskoven from Vejle Stadium. You pass by Helligkilden and the festival area, which is a large flat area in the forest. People celebrated here on Walpurgis Night and Midsummer's Eve, as the water in the spring was nine times stronger on those days than usual! The route also takes you past the hut, Sneglehuset, Dyrehaven, Gorilla Park Vejle, and Hundeskoven. Find the route online by following this link: Kløversti-blue - Udeliv Vejle (only in Danish)
Red route, 6 km: On this route, you go through parts of Nørreskoven, Dyrehaven, and Skyttehushaven. In Dyrehaven, there are particularly many old giant beeches from the early 1700s. Find the route online by following this link: Kløversti-red - Udeliv Vejle (only in Danish)
Black route, 10 km: On this tour, you go around the entire Nørreskoven. On the route, you find two Bronze Age burial mounds that appear as small elevations in the landscape near Bybækvej. Find the route online by following this link: Kløversti-black - Udeliv Vejle (only in Danish)
See all hiking routes in Vejle and surroundings at udeliv.vejle.dk:
Link to the online map of Vejle's hiking routes - Udeliv Vejle (only in Danish)
