Gelsted – Nature and Views

Gelsted and its surroundings

Gelsted lies at the southern entrance to Herlufmagle and has now grown together with the town. If you are looking for a hotel in Gelsted, you can choose your destination based on your interests: walks, nature observation, views and church history shape the options in and near Gelsted.

Nature between forest and wetlands

In Gelsted, you can enjoy a walk through the scenic Stenskoven. The nearby Ravnstrup Sø nature reserve offers a different kind of landscape. It includes a lake, reed beds, marsh, meadows, willow scrub and mature natural woodland with old, gnarled deciduous trees. Together, these habitats form a mix of water, open spaces, scrub and woodland. Visitors can observe many bird species living in the forest, scrub, marsh and lake in the reserve. If a walk in the forest is your main priority, Stenskoven is the destination mentioned; Ravnstrup Sø combines a greater variety of habitats with birdwatching.

The reserve has a bird tower and a birdwatching hide. It also has a fire pit and a composting toilet. A shelter for overnight stays can be reserved. This allows you to distinguish between the facilities for birdwatching and the question of whether overnight accommodation is available in the reserve.

Valleys and views

The 2017 landscape analysis by Næstved Municipality describes sub-area 12a, the tunnel valley near Gelsted, Herlufmagle and Glumsø, as a small-scale, gently rolling to hilly valley landscape, with a longitudinal orientation and enclosed, complex landscape spaces. Numerous bodies of water lie on the valley floor, including streams, lakes and marshes. This means the focus is not only on individual destinations, but also on the valley landscape and the waters that meet there.

The fine views at Rendebakken in Gelsted are worth a visit. From Rendebakken, there is a good view across Gelsted Nederland; to the west, for example, you can see the pylons of the Great Belt Bridge. There is also a newly planted forest at Rendebakken. The description of the wider valley landscape and the specific views at Rendebakken thus offer different perspectives on the landscape.

Church and history

The nearby Herlufmagle Church adds architectural and art history to the nature and landscape themes. It was originally built of granite in the early 12th century, with a nave and a chancel. The chancel contains six fresco paintings by Rud Pedersen from 1951. The construction date and the frescoes represent historical layers separated by a considerable span of time: the original church building dates to the early 12th century, while the paintings are from the 20th century. The church therefore offers a different focus from forests, wetlands and viewpoints.

Regional transport information

Suså landevejen is the transport route through the nearby area between Næstved and Ringsted. Bus route 680 runs there several times an hour. As bus frequencies may change, check the timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Tappernøje, Glumsø, Holme Olstrup, Karrebæksminde, Holmegaard, Næstved, Sandved, Fuglebjerg Municipality

For the main travel overview: Næstved Municipality.