The modest town of Rebild lies 15 miles south of Aalborg, and is home to two very special scenic attractions – the heather-clad hills and landscape known as Rebild Bakker, which nestles alongside one the biggest forests in the country, Rold Skov. Rebild is also home to a number of unique museums, including the Spillemandsmuseum.
A trip to Rebild gives an insight into an exciting history that still casts its influence over the area. The scenic hills and heathland were bought by a group of Americans of Danish descent in 1911 and sold to the Danish state in 1912. A special ceremony is held every year to mark the USA’s Independence Day on 4 July known as the Rebildfest, marking the friendship between the USA and Denmark.
There are lots of other events held in Rebild Bakker throughout the year, including Opera in Rebild Bakker on the second Sunday in August, featuring the Jyske Opera and Aalborg Symphony Orchestra, and a huge outdoor Christmas Market is held on the first Sunday in advent.
Exploring the second-biggest forest in Jutland, Rold Skov, is also a must, via the paths especially laid out for hiking, riding and cycling. The rolling terrain of the forest is also ideal for mountain biking, attracting tourists seeking an active holiday. Large groups can also contact Rold Skov Adventure to try out climbing, archery and canoeing.
And then of course, there are the museums – including the Spillemandsmuseet, focusing on hunting, forestry and traditional folk culture, or Blokhusmuseet, at the entrance to Rebild Bakker and also known as the Lincoln Log Cabin after the American president Abraham Lincoln, telling the story of the thousands of Danes who emigrated to the USA in the late 19th century.
Take a weekend break in Rebild to discover the scenic heathland of northern Jutland, explore the green forests by bike or horse, and gain a fascinating and perhaps surprising insight into the relationship between the USA and Denmark.
