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Løvbakke Naturcenter

Family-friendly nature hub north of Herning, where fallow deer, forest trails, playgrounds and fire pits turn a simple woodland into an easy all-day escape.

4.5

Set just north of Herning, Løvbakke Naturcenter is the heart of the Løvbakkerne forest and animal park, a 50+ hectare landscape of heath, oak scrub, meadows and conifer woods. From the nature centre you step directly into Løvbakke Dyrehave with its herd of fallow deer, follow an almost 2 km asphalt trail suitable for prams and wheelchairs, or branch off onto forest paths, playgrounds, dog forest and exercise routes. With shelters, fire pits and exhibition spaces, it is a relaxed, family-friendly base for spending an unhurried day outside.

A brief summary to Løvbakke Naturcenter

  • Løvbakkevej 32, Herning, 7400, DK
  • Duration: 1.5 to 6 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Follow the asphalt loop through Løvbakke Dyrehave if you want a barrier-free walk with a good chance of spotting fallow deer between the trees.
  • Bring firewood, food and marshmallows so you can make full use of the covered fire pits and lunch shelters near the nature centre.
  • If you visit in autumn, stay a little longer in the late afternoon to hear and possibly see the bucks during the deer rut.
  • Use the dog forest for off-leash exercise, but keep dogs on a leash and away from the deer inside the fenced dyrehave.
  • Layer your clothing: the open heaths can feel windy while the conifer forest stays noticeably cooler and damper, even on warm days.
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Getting There

  • Bicycle from central Herning

    From central Herning it typically takes 20–30 minutes to cycle to Løvbakke Naturcenter, following signposted local roads and cycle paths through the northern suburbs. The route is mostly flat and suitable for all experience levels, though strong winds can make the ride slower. There is bike parking by the nature centre, and cycling in the area is free.

  • Local bus within Herning area

    Regional buses running between Herning and the northern districts usually reach a stop within walking distance of Løvbakke Naturcenter in about 10–20 minutes, depending on starting point and route. A single adult ticket within the local zone structure commonly costs around 20–30 DKK. Services run more frequently on weekdays than in the evening or on Sundays, so check schedules in advance.

  • Car or rental car from Herning

    Driving from central Herning to Løvbakke Naturcenter generally takes 10–15 minutes on ordinary paved roads, with no special vehicle needed. Parking at the designated area by the centre is usually free, but it can fill up on sunny weekends and school holidays. There are no entrance fees for walking the trails or visiting the deer park, so your main costs are fuel and any rental charges.

  • On foot from nearby northern neighborhoods

    If you are staying in the northern parts of Herning or nearby residential areas, you can walk to Løvbakke Naturcenter in roughly 30–60 minutes, depending on your exact starting point. Expect a mix of pavements and quieter local roads before you reach forest paths. The terrain is mostly flat and suitable for reasonably fit walkers, but it may feel exposed in bad weather, so dress accordingly.

Løvbakke Naturcenter location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Hot Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Snow

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Discover more about Løvbakke Naturcenter

A woodland gateway on Herning’s northern edge

Løvbakke Naturcenter sits in the rolling Løvbakkerne hills just north of Herning, where farmland gives way to a patchwork of forest, heath and open grassland. The centre forms the natural gateway to a 53-hectare animal park and surrounding woods, with the building and its outdoor spaces arranged so that you step almost immediately from information boards and picnic tables into the quiet of the trees. The atmosphere is low-key and unhurried. This is not a fenced-off attraction but a piece of everyday Danish nature designed to be used: locals arrive with bikes and strollers, school classes gather around outdoor tables, and walkers drift in and out throughout the day. The nature centre’s function is part orientation point, part shelter, part learning hub.

Deer park life through the seasons

One of the main draws is Løvbakke Dyrehave, the enclosed deer park that spreads out behind the centre. Around 50 fallow deer roam the varied terrain here, a mix of does, calves and antlered bucks that bring a sense of quiet drama to the landscape. Over the course of the year, the herd changes with the seasons: antlers are shed and regrow, calves appear in early summer, and autumn brings the deep calls and posturing of the rut. The landscape inside the dyrehave is surprisingly varied for its size. Heath patches open out between stands of oak scrub, while small meadows and fields alternate with darker strips of coniferous forest. A network of paths allows you to wander on foot or run gentle loops without ever feeling lost, while clear access rules help to protect both animals and habitat.

Trails, playgrounds and outdoor classrooms

From the Naturcenter a 1.7–1.9 km asphalt path winds through the area, offering an easy, level route suitable for wheelchairs, prams and scooters. This makes the deer park and viewpoints accessible even on wet days, and gives less experienced walkers a simple circuit to follow. Beyond the asphalt, smaller forest tracks invite longer rambles or runs among the pines and birches. Scattered around the centre you will find a nature playground, a Tarzan-style exercise course and an enclosed dog forest, so different members of a group can peel off to play, train or simply explore. For schools and organised groups, the site functions as a naturskole, with an indoor teaching space, outdoor learning stations and simple exhibition elements focused on the local landscape and wildlife.

Fire, shelter and simple overnight stays

Løvbakke Naturcenter is set up for slow, practical outdoor living. Covered fire pits, a packed-lunch shelter and clusters of picnic tables make it easy to linger over meals, even when the weather is changeable. Simple facilities such as toilets, basic water access and clear signage mean you can stay for hours without needing to head back into town. For those who want to extend the experience, the wider Løvbakkerne area includes a small tent area and several shelters that can be booked, allowing for uncomplicated overnight stays under the trees. Even for day visitors, the mix of open grass, woodland shade and structured play areas means families can move between active play, quiet observation of the deer and relaxed time around the fire.

A calm nature escape close to the city

Despite its proximity to Herning, the soundscape around the Naturcenter is dominated by wind in the trees, birdsong and the occasional bark of a deer rather than traffic. Waymarked paths, information boards and the open layout make it feel approachable for first-time visitors to Danish forests, while the variety of environments rewards repeat visits in different seasons. Whether you come for a quick walk, a full-day picnic with children, a school field trip or a night in a shelter, Løvbakke Naturcenter serves as a flexible base. It combines the simple comforts needed for spending time outdoors with direct access to a living, changing landscape, making it an easy choice for anyone looking for nature without leaving Herning far behind.

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