Bedsted Thy combines nature with a layered local history. Rønhede Plantation lies south of Bedsted and is easily accessible from the town; in the town itself, the church and its history as a railway town tell stories of different eras. Marked trails, a mountain bike route and other local attractions add their own character. You can shape your stay around the landscape, archaeology, architectural history or outdoor activities.

Rønhede Plantation: Forest and Bronze Age traces

Rønhede Plantation is a mixed forest of deciduous and coniferous trees. There are two marked hiking trails in the plantation. The marked Rønhede route is 2.4 km long and starts at the car park. Its length and starting point make it a practical hiking option to plan around.

The plantation includes 13 protected Bronze Age burial mounds. Among the most notable are Store- and Lille Stevnshøj, Saavs Daas, Nørrehøj and Myrehøj. Their number and names give the landscape an archaeological dimension, providing a distinct focus for exploration alongside the trails. The plantation also has a dog exercise area.

Fishing is permitted in all the lakes in Rønhede Plantation. Check the fishing regulations again before your trip. As well as hiking and historic sites, the forest and lakes offer different themes to explore during a visit.

Bedsted: Railway history and church architecture

Bedsted was established around 1880 as a railway town on the Thybanen line. Bedsted Church brings together several periods of construction: the chancel and nave date from the Romanesque period, while the tower is Late Gothic. The altar is a Late Renaissance work and bears the year 1638. The church therefore brings together several different historical periods, rather than being reduced to a single phase of construction.

Bedsted Church’s location also shapes the town: it stands high on a hill with a fairly steep slope to the east. The Bedsted town walk shares small and large stories about the town, offering a different perspective on its history from the church’s individual construction dates.

Cycling and other attractions

The Rønhede mountain bike trail starts at the open area on Skovvej in Bedsted. It is 5 km long and marked with blue arrows. Compared with the 2.4 km Rønhede hiking route, the cycling trail is longer; the starting points also differ: the hiking route starts at the car park in the plantation. Check the route information again before your bike ride.

Bedsted has a stone waymarker intended to point the way to the surrounding countryside. Skovtrappen at Thylandsgade 22 is an old doctor’s residence that has been converted into a garden and meeting place. Bedsted Multipark, opened in 2024, includes a nine-hole disc golf course set up by Thy Disc Golf. Together, these places show different facets of the area: a guide to the surrounding countryside, the transformation of a former residence and a dedicated sports facility.

To choose what to focus on, a simple comparison may help: the plantation combines mixed woodland, hiking trails and burial mounds; Bedsted’s local history is reflected in its development as a railway town, the church and the town walk. The mountain bike trail and disc golf course add their own opportunities for outdoor activity.

Discover more destinations: Nørre Vorupør, Hurup, Hjerdemål, Krik, Svankær, Ydby, Frøstrup, Vangså

For the broader travel overview: Thisted Municipality.