Bognæs

Salt meadow with the occasional fir tree.

Bognæs is a forked peninsula which separates the waters of Kattinge Vig, Bredningen and Lejre Vig. Bognæs Forest and Vestskov (West Wood) are separated by a small inlet called Ølvig.

Woodland, and an old oak, on the northern side of Bognæs forest.

Bognæs consists mainly of woodland surrounded by grassy salt meadows, but in some places the woodland reaches right down to the water’s edge.

Danish ‘Golden Age’ landscape at Smørvig.

This is some of the most beautiful scenery on the fjord. In the spring, when the beeches come into leaf, and in the autumn, when the first night frost has coloured the woods copper red, it is incomparable. Part of Skuldelev Ridge passes through Vestskov (this ridge stretches from Endelev Rev north of Frederiksund down to Gammel Lejre).

Askehoved from the north east, with Roskilde in the background.

There are many water holes in the woods and the great crested newt is one of the creatures that live here. Askehoved, in the outermost part of the forest, has a mixed colony of cormorants and herons, and to the north west is Egehoved, where there is a white-tailed eagle nest. At Egehoved the large, and very rare, hermit beetle is also to be found. Wood garlic is the dominant plant and its strong odour greets you throughout the summer. Traditional mixed forestry is carried on here, and the area is also used for hunting in the autumn, when lots of pheasants are released. For visitors the dense population of fallow deer is probably more interesting. If you move quietly you have a good chance of coming face to face with a large stag.

Wild garlic in Bognæs forest.

You can walk in Bognæs or enjoy it from out on the water. If you choose the former you have to be prepared to walk 2-3 kilometres before you reach the forest. This deters a lot of people from coming to Bognæs but it protects the forest from invasion by too many visitors. From the water you have only the beautiful view, but it really is worth the effort. In the winter Bognæs is one of the places where it may be possible to see the white-tailed eagle.

As Bognaes has now become a significant part of the new national park, it will hopefully be allowed to revert to natural woodland.