Sunds: Lake, Trails and Special Nature Experiences

Sunds is a varied destination for anyone who wants to combine landscapes, activity and culture. Sunds Sø, heathland and meadows, historical traces and various trails offer many opportunities to shape your stay according to your own interests. When choosing your holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether you are primarily looking for lakeside experiences, longer cycling tours, short walks or cultural discoveries.

At Sunds Sø: Circular Trail, Swimming Area and Nature

At 127 hectares, Sunds Sø is Denmark’s largest heathland lake. A 5.5-kilometre trail leads all the way around the lake and is suitable for hiking or running. The route can easily be included as a manageable activity in your daily plans, while the lake itself appeals to other interests as well: Fishing is possible at Sunds Sø. There is also a municipal bathing water area on the eastern shore.

The Strandparken bathing area offers a sandy beach, a picnic shelter, benches, outdoor showers and toilets. This provides different forms of recreation for a stay by the water. Sunds Sø is also noteworthy from a natural history perspective. Within a short period, 80 different bird species have been recorded at and around the lake. There is also a small but noteworthy population of the rare and protected plant gulgrøn brasenføde.

Hiking Trails and Open Landscapes

Sunds plantage covers 50 hectares and includes heathland and meadows. There is a marked red hiking route there, with a length of 1.7 kilometres. Those who prefer a shorter route can include this trail in their plans; the circular trail around Sunds Sø, by contrast, offers a longer circuit. Sunds plantage also provides access to free fishing in the Sunds Nørreå.

For longer activities, the Alhedestien is available. In Sunds, the disused Herning–Viborg railway line was converted into the Alhedestien cycling and hiking trail in 1995. The trail is approximately 49 kilometres long and can be used for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. These different route lengths make it easier to vary your holiday between short outings and extended days of activity, without restricting the trip to just one type of leisure activity.

Sunds Kirke and Local History

A cultural landmark is the present-day Sunds Kirke, which was consecrated on 12 December 1897. It is designed in a simple Romantic architectural style and has round-arched windows and a flat beamed ceiling. Around the year 1200, there was already a stone church at the same site, measuring 18 metres long, 8 metres wide and 3 metres high, without a tower. The church’s construction history makes it an interesting destination for visitors who would also like to learn about the historical development of the locality during their stay.

At the Sunds Local Historical Archive, visitors can view the materials kept there. Baneparken in Sunds was established in 1994–95 on the former railway grounds. Troldeskoven was likewise created as a local community project: The site was established on 26 and 27 October 1990. On the outskirts of Sunds, there is a shelter site with two shelters; the site also has a composting toilet and a water tap.

Water Experiences and Suitable Trip Planning

Among other activities, Sunds Sejlklub organises regattas and sailing trips on Sunds Sø. Together with the bathing water area, fishing opportunities and the trails around the lake, this shows Sunds to be a destination with various possibilities by the water.

You can also open other places for trip planning: Sørvad, Vildbjerg, Kølkær, Herning, Avlum, Sønder Felding, Skærbæk and Ørnhøj.

For the overarching travel overview: Herning Municipality.