Kalø
Kalø is beautifully situated with the iconic Bregnet Church and the ruins of Kalø Castle. And if you like a walk in the forest, you mustn't miss the Kalø forests. At ruins of Kalø Castle you will find both Hestehave forest and Ringelmose forest
Kalø Caslte Ruins
The oldest middelage paved road in Denmark leads to the Castle Ruins of the 700 year old Castle, situated on the small peninsular Kalø. In the surroundings of the ruins you may find medical herbs originating from an old medical herb garden.
Hestehave Forest
A mesh-work of paths will lead you around the forest of Hestehave.
Here are coastal cliffs with crooked beech trees stretching their troll-like limbs towards Kalø Vig. These cliffs were formed during the Stone Age when the land rebounded from the pressure of the ice during the glacial period.
Hesthave Skov used to belong to Kalø Gods (manor). Thyrahytten, a hunting and bathing cottage from 1905, bears witness to this. The cottage was named after Baroness Thyra von Jenisch.
To the west, a route traced with yellow dots leads on to an observation tower from which you can observe the many meadow and wading birds at Følle Bund.
At the centre of the forest you will find Store Stenhøj long barrow, which has been dated to the early Neolithic period (4000-2800 B.C.)
Jagtslottet
From the stone bench at the back of Jagtslottet (the hunting lodge) is a view of the Ringelmose forest and Kalø Castle Ruins.
This is the perfect starting point for a hike followed by a rest and a hot drink on the bench. The lodge is on the side of the road opposite Karlsladen Visitor Centre.
Today, Jagtslottet is administered by the Danish Nature Agency.
There is a parking space at Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde
Nappedam
"The carriers of the sea" sailed from 1874-1935 between Aarhus and Ebeltoft bringing goods and people to their destinations.
There were many small piers with customs stations on Mols and Helgenæs, e.g. one called Nappedam.
Beside the pier to the west is a small beach with a bathing jetty.
Bregnet Church
The church without a village
Once there was a hamlet here, with a Romanesque church as front row seat to oversee construction of Kalø Castle.
Modern art in the old church
The current church was built in the 15th century. The modern alter-piece was painted by Danish painter Arne Haugen Sørensen.
Ringelmose Forest
The holy well
The water table beneath the beech is placid, but from it springs the Tobiæ well. Tradition had it that water from the well could cure eye diseases. From medieval times, people travelled to the holy well on Walpurgis night: the only night the water had a healing effect.
The livestock route
Ringelmose Skov extends from the manor of Kalø down to the coast. The livestock from the manor would have to walk this way to reach the coastal meadows for pasture. They were herded via Fægyden passage, the tall embankments of which prevented the cattle from running off into the woods.
Memorial Stone
See the artificial Ringelmose Dam (pond) and the memorial stone to the last of the Jenisch family at Kalø.
Karlsladen Visitor Center
History told in a 300 years old barn
Karlsladen is a part of the modern Kalø Gods (manor) near Rønde. Today, this barn serves as the Danish Nature Agency’s visitor centre, housing an exhibition about the nature and culture of the area, with special emphasis on prehistoric Denmark and the history of Kalø.
The barn was designed with doors at each end so that carriages could be driven into the barn to unload and then driven out again on the other side. Oak wood structures have been preserved in the original three storeys as they were built in 1727.
Farm building of Kalø Castle
The manor was established as farm buildings for Kalø Castle. Kalø was transferred to the King’s bastard son, Ulrik Frederik Gyldenløve, in 1661. It was during Gyldenløve’s possession that the run-down castle fell to ruin.
The most renowned period in the history of the manor came after 1825, when it came in the possession of the Holstein von Jenisch family. After the German occupation of Denmark in 1945, the manor was confiscated by the Danish State because of the family’s affiliation with Germany.
Practical information
Karlsladen Visitors Centre is open daily from 9:00 am - 9:00 pm - all year round. There is toilet facilities by the center.
Free entrance.
There is a parking space at Grenåvej 14, 8410 Rønde