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Løkkeskoven Forest, Stensballe

A small, quiet forest at the edge of Horsens, Løkkeskoven offers easy walks, local birdsong and soft woodland light just steps from the houses of Stensballe.

Løkkeskoven is a tranquil patch of coastal woodland on the northeastern edge of Horsens, tucked behind the Stensballegaard area near Horsens Fjord. A mix of beech, oak and conifers lines a small network of forest tracks and informal paths used by walkers, runners and local dog owners. Though modest in size, the forest offers an easy escape into birdsong, dappled light and soft forest floor within minutes of the suburb, making it a handy everyday nature fix rather than a full-scale wilderness adventure.

A brief summary to Løkkeskoven

  • Stensballegaardvej 21, Horsens, 8700, DK
  • +4542909062
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

  • Bring shoes that can handle occasional mud, especially after rainy spells, as lower sections of the forest tracks can stay damp.
  • Visit early in the morning or towards late afternoon for the most atmospheric light and a quieter, more contemplative feel.
  • If walking with a dog, keep an eye out for any local signs regarding leash requirements near fields or private property edges.
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Getting There

  • City bus from Horsens centre

    From central Horsens, take a local city bus towards Stensballe and alight near Stensballegaardvej; the ride typically takes 15–25 minutes depending on the route and time of day. A single adult ticket within the city zone usually costs around 20–30 DKK when bought via ticket machines or mobile app. Buses run more frequently on weekdays than evenings and weekends, so check departure times in advance, especially for late returns.

  • Bicycle from Horsens

    Cycling from Horsens centre to Løkkeskoven is a straightforward suburban ride of roughly 20–30 minutes for most people, following residential streets and designated cycle paths towards Stensballe. The route is mostly flat with gentle inclines near the forest, and ordinary city bikes are sufficient. Take front and rear lights in darker months, and be aware that sections can feel exposed in windy weather coming off Horsens Fjord.

  • Taxi or rideservice within Horsens area

    A taxi from central Horsens to Stensballegaardvej by Løkkeskoven usually takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic. Typical fares for this short urban journey fall in the range of 120–200 DKK, with higher prices in evening and night-time hours. Taxis can be booked by phone or via local apps, and it is worth confirming the approximate fare before departure if you are travelling on a budget.

Løkkeskoven location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Cold Weather

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Discover more about Løkkeskoven

A quiet woodland on the edge of Horsens

Løkkeskoven sits just beyond the residential streets of Stensballe, where city gradually gives way to fields, golf greens and forest. From the first step under the trees the soundscape changes: traffic noise fades and you are wrapped in rustling leaves, calling birds and the occasional crack of a twig. The woodland is not vast, but it feels pleasantly enclosed – a green pocket that locals use for short walks and fresh air rather than epic hikes. The ground is generally gentle, with only modest inclines and broad forest tracks that make it straightforward to wander without planning a route in advance. Because the forest is close to houses and farms, it has a distinctly local character; you are more likely to meet joggers, parents with prams and people walking their dogs than fully kitted-out hikers.

Forest character and seasonal changes

Most of Løkkeskoven is a mix of deciduous trees and scattered conifers, so the mood of the forest follows the seasons. In spring, light floods the open canopy before the leaves fully unfold, and the forest floor wakes up with fresh green undergrowth and birds marking territories from every branch. Summer brings a deeper, cooler shade and a soft, slightly sweet scent of leaves and resin that offers relief on hot days. When autumn arrives, the tones switch to copper, ochre and deep brown, with fallen leaves muffling every step and making the tracks feel almost carpeted. In winter the forest becomes more open again; silhouettes of trunks and branches stand out clearly, and a dusting of frost or snow can transform the modest terrain into something quietly atmospheric, especially in the early morning or late afternoon.

Everyday walking, running and dog-friendly loops

The main appeal of Løkkeskoven lies in how easy it is to fold into everyday life. Short circuits on forest roads work well for a quick run or a 30–45 minute stroll, and informal side paths invite you to improvise slightly longer loops. Surfaces are mostly firm and suitable for ordinary footwear in dry weather, though some low-lying stretches can turn muddy after prolonged rain. The forest is popular with local dog owners, and the relatively contained size makes it simple to keep track of where you are. There are no dramatic viewpoints or major sights; instead, the draw is the low-key pleasure of filtered light through leaves, birds flitting overhead and the sense of being away from the living room in very little time.

Part of the wider Stensballe green corridor

Although Løkkeskoven itself is compact, it links visually and experientially to the larger green belt that stretches through Stensballe, including farmland, the golf course at Stensballegaard and the coastal forests that edge Horsens Fjord. This means you can treat it as a standalone destination for a short nature fix or weave it into a longer outing that eventually reaches the fjord. Because the forest lies close to homes and roads, it never feels truly remote, but that proximity gives it a different kind of value: it is a breathing space woven into suburban life. For visitors staying in Horsens or nearby, it can serve as a gentle introduction to the softer side of Danish woodland before heading on to larger forest areas around the fjord or the inland lake district.

Atmosphere, light and simple pleasures

What Løkkeskoven lacks in headline-grabbing features it makes up for in atmosphere. On still days the canopy can feel almost like a vaulted ceiling, with shafts of sunlight catching drifting insects and illuminating patches of moss or pale tree bark. After rain, the smell of damp earth and leaves intensifies, and shallow puddles on the tracks mirror the sky between branches. It is an easy place to slow down: to listen for the different bird calls, notice the texture of bark and the patterns of lichen, or simply enjoy the rhythm of walking on a soft, forgiving surface. Whether you come for a brisk jog, a slow wander with a camera or a quiet moment on a fallen log, Løkkeskoven offers a small but welcome reminder that nature is never far away in this part of East Jutland.

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