Rold combines an unusual circus history with opportunities for walking and cycling in the nearby area. The Cirkusmuseet i Rold represents the cultural history of the town; in Rold Skov, marked trails lead to the forest’s sights. When planning your trip, you can weigh up the town’s history and activities in nature.
Circus history in the former winter quarters
The Cirkusmuseet i Rold is housed in the former winter quarters of Cirkus Miehe. The building is Denmark’s only surviving wooden circus building. Here, the building’s former use and its construction go hand in hand: the circus is not only a museum topic, but also part of the building’s history.
Visitors can try circus skills, have their faces painted as circus clowns, make their own juggling balls and then perform in the old riding hall of Cirkus Miehe. The programme may change; check which participatory activities are currently planned before your visit. This lets you plan your museum visit around the activities on offer, rather than assuming a particular programme.
Hiking trails, mountain biking and guided tours
The nearby Rold Skov MTB area has a network of trails totalling around 50 kilometres, with approximately 1,000 metres of elevation gain. It also includes a special downhill trail and an MTB skills area. Around 60 kilometres of trails are marked for hiking in Rold Skov. The yellow routes are connected to several car parks and lead to most of the forest’s sights. Route and facility details may change, so it is a good idea to check for updates before setting out.
Public guided tours take place in Rold Skov throughout the year. Dates and organisers may change, so it is worth checking which tours are available on your travel dates. If you prefer to explore independently, you can follow the marked hiking trails; if you are considering a guided tour, include the current dates in your plans.
A description available in 2026 on VisitDenmark shows the Hærvejens cykelrute continuing through Døstrup, Rold and Arden to Store Økssø in Rold Skov. The Hærvejen routes can be explored on foot or by bicycle and run over asphalt, gravel and forest paths. The different surfaces give a concrete idea of the types of paths found on these routes. Check the route conditions before travelling.
Church, historic routes and getting your bearings
Rold Kirke also offers a cultural point of interest: it is a well-preserved Late Romanesque or Early Gothic church, with later additions and alterations. Another trace of the town’s history is Roldvej, formerly a country road through Rold Forest to Skørping. Together with the former winter quarters of the circus, these show that Rold’s history can be traced through different buildings and historic connections.
The landscape setting also includes Rold Skov, which is in the nearby Natura 2000 site Rold Skov, Lindenborg Ådal and Madum Sø, as well as the Rold Skov Special Protection Area for birds. Nearby bus services stop in Rold and at other stops, including Rebild and Årestrup. As routes and timetables may change, check the details for your travel dates.
When looking for a holiday rental in Rold, you can start by deciding what you want to focus on during your trip: should the circus history and church shape your cultural itinerary, or would you rather plan mainly for hiking trails, MTB routes and guided tours in the nearby area? This distinction can help you choose Rold to suit your interests.
Discover more destinations: Ajstrup, Hadsund, Helberskov, Astrup, Glenstrup, Als, Mariager, Hobro
Back to the main travel overview: Mariagerfjord Municipality.
