Holte brings together a former woodland settlement, prehistoric sites, and traces from wartime. Nearby lies Grevinge Skov, a deciduous forest in hilly terrain beside the diked Sidinge Fjord. For travel planning, local history and nature come together: Holte can be understood through both its former settlement pattern and the landscape and history of the nearby forest.

Forest, Fjord, and Local History

The forest’s history is reflected in specific place names. At the start of reforestation, Holtemose Hegn was one of two small woodland areas in what is now Grevinge Skov. Enclosures at Holtemose Hegn and Lykkens Hegn began in 1779. Three generations of foresters from the same family helped plant Grevinge Skov.

Holte once belonged to the so-called “Skovbyerne” or “Birkebyerne,” meaning forest or birch villages. In 1750, there were four farms in the village. The traditional settlement extended from east to west. These details reflect different scales: the former name refers to forest and birch villages, the number of farms to a specific year, and the east–west extent to the shape of the settlement at the time.

Prehistoric Sites and Local History

Near Holte is Horsebjerg, a Neolithic long barrow in Holtemose Hegn. Hamlet’s Grav is a long barrow from the same period within Grevinge Skov. The two names point to different sites in the area’s local prehistory and make the Neolithic a recurring theme in the region.

Older landscape names are also part of local history: the low-lying area north of the forest road was called Holte Sø or Kjelmose. Southeast of what was then Holte Sø or Kjelmose, a round dolmen with five supporting stones and a large capstone stood on a small rise. The stones were removed in 1828 and reused to build a bridge at Svinninge Vejle. Near Holte Mose, plot 4b also contained a long barrow with 51 kerbstones, which was later cleared away.

Another chapter in the history of local buildings concerns Holte’s forester’s house: it was demolished in 1912 and replaced with a brick house made of red brick. Local history thus encompasses both prehistoric structures and later changes to buildings and the landscape.

Traces from Wartime

Traces of the former Vig emergency airfield can still be seen in Grevinge Skov. The former airfield had 10 to 12 aircraft parking spaces. The local story therefore spans from prehistoric long barrows to a wartime airfield; the visible traces of the airfield relate to the present differently from the removed stones of the dolmens and long barrows described here.

Trails and Activities in Grevinge Skov

Grevinge Skov has numerous roads and paths, but no marked hiking or running routes. The official route to the forest leads from the edge of Herrestrup via Holtevej. Parking is available at several places around the forest. Check the route before setting out, as directions may change.

Horse riding is allowed throughout the forest. If you are planning a ride, check the current information before your visit, as the rules may change. This makes the riding rules part of your planning without confusing them with the situation for hikers or runners.

Depending on the season, chanterelles, boletes, trumpet mushrooms, and other mushrooms can be found in Grevinge Skov. Care is needed when identifying them. There is also a treasure hunt in the forest; if you plan to take part, check that it is available before your visit.

Discover more destinations: Høve Strand, Fårevejle Stationsby, Lumsås, Abildøre, Nyrup, Gudmindrup, Fårevejle Kirkeby, Plejerup.

For the broader travel overview: Odsherred.