Glücksburg Forest: 600 hectares of beech, forest lakes and Stone Age tombs

Four woods, one name

What is called “Glücksburg Forest” is strictly speaking not one forest but four: the Schlosswald around the moated castle, the Friedeholz to the east, Tremmerup Wood to the south-west and Forst Wille right on the fjord. Road building and the growth of the town gradually separated them — together they still add up to some 600 hectares with 24 recorded tree species. Almost all of it is state-owned and freely accessible.

Roikier See and Westerwerker See — the forest lakes

At the heart of Tremmerup Wood lies Roikier See, the only true forest lake in the Angeln region; the smaller Westerwerker See follows to the north. Both have a monastic past: they once supplied Rude Abbey with fresh water and fish. Today they are simply remarkably quiet. Arrive early and the shore path is usually yours alone, framed by beech stands that are locally more than 200 years old.

The dolmen trail through the Friedeholz

The most rewarding route is the roughly five-kilometre dolmen trail through the ice-age hills of the Friedeholz. This signposted archaeological and nature trail passes ten megalithic tombs and burial mounds from a settlement over 5,000 years old. Along the way you also pass a wild boar enclosure, a forest playground and the “Elfenwiese” raised bog — a combination that makes the distance fly by with children. An informative brochure is available at the tourist information office.

Forst Wille: wind-sculpted trees on the fjord

Right on the water near Meierwik stands Forst Wille. What stands out here are the bizarre, wind-shaped growth forms of many trees. In the east of the wood lies the “RuheForst” woodland cemetery — a place to move through quietly. From Meierwik the walk combines well with a stretch of the fjord promenade or a boat trip.

Three loops from Villa Boreal

One: Sandwig – spa park – Schlosswald – moated castle. One of the finest short walks in the region because it links promenade, forest and castle lake in a single loop. Two: the family route through the Friedeholz to the boar enclosure and forest playground. Three: Tremmerup Wood with Roikier See — the quietest of the options and ideal in wind or drizzle, as the beech canopy keeps a lot out.

If you want more, join the Fördesteig: the long-distance trail runs over 95 kilometres in twelve stages from the Danish border via Flensburg, Solitüde and Glücksburg around Holnis to Kappeln. Individual stages work well as a day walk with a bus ride back.

With a dog and on horseback

Tremmerup Wood has around 20 kilometres of marked riding and walking trails, including a few hundred metres of off-lead dog zone. Elsewhere dogs must be kept on the lead, especially during the breeding season from March to July. For riders the trail network is one of the best on the fjord — riding is on the designated bridle paths.

When it is best

In April and May the beech leaves show that brief, almost translucent green the north is known for, with the forest floor still bright. October brings autumn colour and mushrooms, winter opens sightlines all the way to the fjord. And on rainy days the forest beats the beach anyway: the canopy keeps out a surprising amount.