Højby: Nature by the lake and cultural history

Højby offers a variety of ways to shape your stay: at Højby Sø, the landscape and birdlife take centre stage; Højby Church combines architectural history with medieval wall paintings; and Syvhøje takes you back to the Bronze Age. There are also climbing courses and adventure minigolf.

Getting here and finding your way around

Højby has a railway station on the Odsherredsbanen and is a stop on route 510R. When planning your train journey, it is a good idea to check the timetable for your intended travel date, as schedules may change. Route 21 also provides a point of reference for getting here: Højby is a few kilometres away from it.

This information can help you get a general sense of the journey without having to plan your daily schedule yet. You can first decide whether you want to visit Højby mainly for nature by the lake, its cultural history, or its range of leisure activities.

Nature and paths around Højby Sø

Mute swans, greylag geese, coots and great crested grebes breed in the area around Højby Sø. The landscape’s history is also remarkable: the southern slopes have never been farmed. Here, you can experience plants that were already growing in the area in the Middle Ages. The lake was restored across an area of 60 hectares; when it was completely filled in 1993, the lake itself measured 40 hectares.

There are gravel and walking trails at Højby Sø, following the designated routes. The north-western part of the lake, by contrast, has no paths and offers the birds a refuge without people nearby. Use of the water is also restricted: boating is prohibited on the lake, and fishing is also prohibited in most of it.

The lake also has a historical connection to Borren, a medieval castle: in the past, it was part of the castle’s defensive system. Nature, landscape history and medieval history are distinct themes here; you can consider them separately when planning, rather than combining them into a single outing.

Højby Church: architecture and wall paintings

Højby Church is one of the largest and oldest fieldstone churches on Zealand. The chancel and nave date from the 12th century and were built from unworked and split fieldstones. The construction makes the church interesting for visitors interested in the history of religious architecture.

The wall paintings also offer several ways to explore the church’s history. They are dated to the period from 1200 to 1410. Their subjects include scenes from the New Testament, the Last Judgment, stories from Jesus’ childhood and everyday scenes. Saint Olaf is also depicted. Religious stories, depictions of saints and glimpses of everyday life are thus brought together.

Activities and archaeological sites

If you are looking for an active pastime in addition to nature and cultural history, Gekko Park has four climbing courses of varying difficulty. MinigolfParken offers 18 adventure holes inspired by Odsherred’s distinctive landmarks. The two attractions have different focuses: climbing courses and minigolf are separate activities that you can include in your stay according to your personal interests.

Syvhøje is a group of six burial mounds from the Early Bronze Age, dating to around 500 BC. The mounds lie between Højby and Nykøbing Sjælland. From the car park at Næsholm on Nygårdsvej, a signposted small walking trail leads there. A visit therefore combines a specific archaeological site with a described walking route, without specifying a walking time.

Plan your stay around your interests

For a nature-focused stay, the birdlife and distinctive landscape at Højby Sø offer themes to explore. If you are more interested in architecture and visual art, you can make Højby Church a highlight; Syvhøje represents Bronze Age archaeology. Climbing courses and adventure minigolf round out the selection with leisure activities. When looking for a hotel in Højby, you can first decide what you want to focus on during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Ordrup, Ebbeløkke, Høve Strand, Rørvig, Stenstrup, Nyrup, Strandhuse, Klint.

For the broader travel overview: Odsherred.