Hastrup Plantation

History

Hastrup Plantation is a varied terrain that includes forest, flat terrain in the western part, and sloping terrain to the east towards Skjern Å and Hastrup Lake. East of the valley, the terrain becomes more hilly.

In 1877, the state purchased Hastrup Manor and about 605 hectares of land near Hastrup Lake. Of this, only about 16.5 hectares were wooded, including remnants of the original Hastrup Forest northeast of the lake. The agricultural land was abandoned, and the fields were planted over a 20-year period, mainly with spruce. Later acquisitions have given the forest its current form and size.

Today, the area is characterized by large coniferous areas and a larger area with older deciduous forest. Additionally, there are several open areas near Hastrup Lake and Galtkær. The development of the vegetation in the area is at very different stages. The western part still has a pronounced plantation character, while the old forest by Hastrup Lake has more of a natural forest character with a higher content of dead wood. West of the lake lies the actual Hastrup Plantation, which has been laid out as a typical heath plantation since 1877.

Surroundings

Hastrup Plantation is a beautiful forest area southwest of Ejstrupholm with, among other things, four marked hiking trails and the forest-surrounded Hastrup Lake. The area lies at the transition between the Jutland ridge and the West Jutland heathland. It is a beautiful forest area that offers many nature experiences.

The forest is crisscrossed by several smaller roads and paths. The landscape contours are reflected in the forest structure, with the western part resembling a typical West Jutland plantation with even-aged blocks of spruce and straight roads and firebreaks. In contrast, the eastern part near Hastrup Lake is more lush and hilly, with better growing conditions and thus a greater proportion of deciduous trees. The lake is surrounded by old oak forest with grazing Highland cattle. Skjern Å flows through the lake on its way to the west coast.

Southwest of the plantation lies Galtkær, a bird-rich area that was created by damming Galtkær Stream to reduce the supply of ochre to Skjern Å. There is a bird observation tower at Galtkær.

South of Hastrup Lake, east of Hastrupvej, there is a forest playground with an associated bonfire site, which can be freely used.
Click on the link - Hastrup Plantation Nature Playground

Fishing in Hastrup Lake

It is possible to fish in Hastrup Lake. Read more about the start and end of the season and purchase a day fishing license for Hastrup Lake from Thyregod Sports Fishing Association. Contact the chairman, Kurt Lundsfryd

• Phone: 21795505
• Email: kurtlundsfryd25@gmail.com
• Website: Sportsfiskerforeningen (thyregodvester.dk) 

Stay updated on fishing regulations in Denmark and purchase your fishing license via this link: Fisketegn.dk

Hiking Trails Nearby

In the plantation, there are marked hiking trails. There is also an interesting tree species experiment in the plantation.

• White hiking trail 1.2 km. - The tour passes a forest playground with a bonfire site: Click on the link and find white hiking trail 1.2 km
• Red hiking trail 2.1 km. - The tour passes the bird observation tower at Galtkær: Click on the link and find red hiking trail 2.1 km
• Yellow hiking trail 3 km. - The tour goes through natural forest with beech and oak and past Hastrup Lake: Click on the link and find yellow hiking trail 3 km
• Blue hiking trail 3.3 km. - The tour goes through forest dominated by spruce: Click on the link and find blue hiking trail 3.3 km.

Find more routes in the surrounding area via this link: Hastrup plantage - Udeliv Vejle and read more about the area and Hastrup Plantation via this link: Hastrup Plantage - Naturstyrelsen