The Planet Trail – Høng Skov

A walk through the solar system in Høng Skov

Hidden in the hilly woodland behind the town of Høng lies one of West Zealand's most inventive walking routes. The Planet Trail in Høng Skov is a 450-metre path where every step corresponds to millions of kilometres in the real universe. Along the route, scale models of the solar system's planets are positioned at correct relative distances, allowing you to literally walk from the Sun to Neptune on a short forest stroll.

Learning and play among the beeches

The trail was established in 2022 and has since attracted curious families, school groups and anyone who thinks astronomy and fresh air make a fine combination. At each planet model, information signs present facts about the planet in question, and conversations about distances in space, the size of planets and the enormous dimensions we rarely get to grasp in everyday life arise quite naturally along the way. For children, it is an eye-opener to discover that you can walk past Jupiter and Saturn in a matter of minutes, while in reality they are hundreds of millions of kilometres apart.

Høng Skov as a setting for the walk

Høng Skov is a mixture of deciduous and coniferous forest with undulating terrain and abundant wildlife. The forest sits on the edge of the town of Høng and is easily accessible from Sølvgade, where parking is available nearby. The forest floor changes character with the seasons, from wood anemones in spring to golden leaves in autumn, and the short route length makes it manageable even for the smallest legs. For those with pushchairs or limited mobility, the terrain may be somewhat challenging, as the path follows the forest's natural contours with some uphill sections.

A route for all ages

The Planet Trail is not just for families with children. Adult walkers looking for a short, unusual nature experience will find a path that combines movement with a touch of wonder. The walk typically takes half an hour if you pause at each planet, and it can easily form part of a longer hike in Høng Skov, where additional paths lead further into the surrounding woodland. The route also works well as a detour if you are cycling along the nearby routes in Kalundborg Municipality.

Høng and surroundings

Høng is a small railway town of around 3,000 inhabitants, centrally located in Kalundborg Municipality in the western part of Zealand. The town has a train connection on the Slagelse-Kalundborg line, making it straightforward to arrive by public transport. Near Høng, you will find several nature areas and hiking trails, including paths along the Halleby Å stream and around Tissø, Zealand's fourth-largest lake. The town of Kalundborg lies just under 20 kilometres to the northwest and offers a historic town centre, Viking heritage and the iconic Church of Our Lady with its five towers.

Experiences nearby

West Zealand is rich in nature areas and cultural experiences close to the Planet Trail. From Høng, it is a short distance to Gørlev and the old Værslevstien trail, and to the north the landscape opens towards the Great Belt and the Røsnæs peninsula with its dramatic coastal cliffs. Store Åmose southeast of Høng is one of Denmark's most important archaeological wetlands, and Sorø with its medieval abbey church and lakes lies around 30 kilometres to the east. For even more ideas for trips and experiences in the area, visit destinationsjaelland.dk, which gathers the best of West Zealand's nature, culture and activities.