Hiking route: Svartingedalen

Route description:

At first glance, Svartingedalen doesn’t look like much. But that changes the moment you descend the steps at the end of the car park at Åhalsegård into this small rift valley.

Once down there, you suddenly find yourself in a narrow valley flanked by high cliffs on both sides. A small stream runs along the bottom and a natural forest spreads out around you – trees and bushes that are allowed to grow and fall freely and untouched.

Follow the path through the “jungle”, occasionally crossing the stream. The path is a nature trail, i.e. without any manmade coating of any kind, and you should be prepared for a slippery surface, especially during rainy months. However, Svartingedalen is very verdant, so rubber boots or shoes that can withstand wet conditions are a good idea during the rest of the year too.

After just under 500 metres, the path bends right and climbs relatively steeply through the woods to Jættebold or Jættebujlen: A rock the size of a fridge, which according to an ancient legend was thrown by a Swedish giant to hit the Klemens Kirke (Klemens Church).

From here it is just under 2 km through the rest of the Svartingedalen valley to the Simblegårdsvej road and then back along the same road. Enjoy the rich birdlife along the way, the unique ivy that grows in the valley, and in spring, the layer of anemones covering the forest bed.

Facts:

Duration:

One and a half-2 hours
Length:
Almost 3 km each way
Difficulty level:
Medium. A few steep passages and frequent slippery surfaces.
Suitable for prams and wheelchairs:
No
Parking:
By Åhalsegård on Kirkedalsvej 25 in Rutsker. Keep right by the farm and park behind the lean-to. You can also park at the opposite end of the rift valley by Simblegårdsvej 24.
Toilets:
No
Access to water:
No
Surface:
Mainly forest bed/nature path, which can be wet and muddy
Special remarks:
Take a break near Jættebolden and enjoy this special natural phenomenon.

Written by Gitte Holtze

Hiker and outdoor freak as well as journalist, lecturer and author of "jeg lever" about Gitte's hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and "Gå langt", a guidebook to long hikes.