Rold Gl. Kro

A historic inn beside the great woods of Rold

Rold Gl. Kro sits just outside the small village of Rold, framed by the towering beech trees of Rold Skov, one of Denmark’s largest forests. Long before it was modernised, this spot served as a traditional Danish coaching inn, offering food, stories and a bed to travellers passing through North Jutland. Today the whitewashed buildings and low roofs still hint at that heritage, while the interior has been carefully renewed to feel bright, warm and comfortable rather than museum-like. Step inside and you notice how the inn is arranged on one level, with wide corridors and lifts that make it easy to move between the restaurant, rooms and common areas. The design leans toward clean Scandinavian lines softened by wood, soft lighting and small decorative touches that nod to the countryside setting. It feels like a place where locals would happily linger over coffee as much as overnight guests do.

Dog-friendly stays with thoughtful details

What truly sets Rold Gl. Kro apart is its focus on welcoming dogs as honoured guests rather than afterthoughts. Special “dog rooms” come with fenced private terraces where pets can relax safely outdoors, along with a dog bed and bowls ready in the room. Green paths and open spaces around the inn make early-morning walks easy, with Rold Forest’s extensive trails just beyond. The atmosphere reflects this four-legged friendliness: paw prints appear subtly in the décor and there is even an agility course on the grounds that is fun to watch, whether or not you travel with a dog. Staff are used to helping guests balance the needs of pets and people, from suggesting nearby walking routes to explaining where dogs must be kept on a lead inside the forest.

Classic Danish cooking with a local twist

Food is central to the experience here. The inn’s restaurant serves classic Danish kro dishes made from quality, often local, ingredients. Expect hearty plates such as schnitzel, roast meats and seasonal produce, all presented with a modern touch but rooted in familiar flavours. The setting is relaxed rather than formal: wooden tables, soft chairs and big windows looking out to greenery create a comfortable dining room for long meals. Certain days have their own rituals. On Tuesdays, the kitchen turns out generous portions of minced beef steaks, traditionally made from meat sourced from the innkeeper’s own Scottish Highland cattle. Sundays bring a large brunch buffet where you can graze on breads, cheeses, warm dishes and sweets in bright surroundings. Breakfast for overnight guests is similarly plentiful, helping fuel days spent in the woods and nearby hills.

Rooms designed for quiet comfort

The inn offers around two dozen renovated rooms, each with large double beds and supportive mattresses aimed at giving a genuinely good night’s sleep. Décor is simple and modern: neutral tones, clean-lined furniture and practical details such as bedside power sockets and good reading light. Windows often look toward the forest edge or inner courtyards, helping to keep the atmosphere calm and sheltered from road noise. Practicalities are quietly well handled. Free parking lies just outside the rooms, and electric vehicle charging points make it convenient for road-trippers exploring Jutland by car. Reliable Wi‑Fi and keyless entry systems add a contemporary touch that contrasts nicely with the inn’s older bones, so you can stream, work or plan hikes without hassle.

Nature, legends and low-key activities

Beyond the doors of Rold Gl. Kro stretches Rold Skov, covering thousands of hectares of forest crisscrossed by hiking paths, cycling routes and mountain bike trails. This landscape is associated with Danish robber legends and old stories of outlaws hiding in the woods, adding a hint of folklore to your walks. Nearby Rebild Hills bring open heather-clad slopes, viewpoints and picnic spots within easy reach. Back at the inn, the pace slows. Small seating nooks, a tranquil garden atmosphere and low noise levels encourage conversation or quiet reading rather than constant entertainment. At certain times of year, the adjacent former dairy building, Mejeriet, hosts cookery events, festive meals or special gatherings in atmospheric historic surroundings, tying the property even more closely to its rural community.

A welcoming base for varied travellers

Rold Gl. Kro manages to cater to several kinds of guests at once. It works as a restful stopover for drivers crossing Jutland, a practical base for hikers and cyclists exploring the forest, and a cosy retreat for couples or families seeking simple comfort in nature. Business travellers find the combination of good Wi‑Fi, relaxed meeting spaces and quiet rooms useful, while dog owners value the rare combination of real hospitality and genuinely pet-friendly facilities. Whether you come for Sunday brunch, a weekend around Rebild Hills or a longer stay in North Jutland, the inn gives the sense of a small hub in the countryside: close to extensive nature, yet with good food, comfortable beds and a warm welcome at its core.