Stones Forest - Mogenstrup

Denmark's largest ridge – Mogenstrup Ridge.

Mogenstrup Ridge extends from Mogenstrup all the way into the center of Næstved. Despite raw material extraction in several places, the ridge is quite impressive with a highest point of 60 m, a width of up to 600 m, and a length of about 10 km. Due to its size and connection with the surrounding glacial landscape, the ridge has national significance. Five parts of the Ridge are protected: "Water Tower Hill," “Fruens Plantation,” “Fladså Hills,” “Mogenstrup Church Forest,” and “Mogenstrup Ridge.”

Geologically, Mogenstrup Ridge was formed during the last Ice Age as a kanalå. A kanalå is formed when a larger area at the glacier edge is transformed into a stagnant dead ice mass. Inside the remaining part of the glacier, a meltwater tunnel forms. After some time, the roof of the meltwater tunnel will collapse, leaving a meltwater channel with dead ice on both sides. The continued melting of the dead ice will eventually fill the channel with sand and gravel. When the dead ice has completely melted away, the channel remains as a massive elongated hill/ridge.

Mogenstrup Ridge is part of a larger tunnel valley system in South Zealand. A tunnel valley system that extends all the way from Præstø Fjord over Bårse to Næstved, with several valley systems leading up to Glumsø and in principle all the way to Saltbæk Cove.

A less scientific, but far more adventurous, explanation for the origin of the ridge is that it was made by the Fladså troll. The troll wanted to cover Næstved with sand because the church bells were too noisy. Unfortunately for the troll, the bag broke, and the sand spilled out during his journey to Næstved, thus forming the ridge.

Due to the terrain and sandy soil, the ridge has historically primarily functioned as a pasture for grazing livestock. This has given the ridge a low light-open vegetation, where particularly frugal and robust species have gained a competitive advantage.

Compared to other natural types, pastures are very species-rich. A wide range of special flowering plants, grasses, and fungi grow here, some of which are now very rare in this country.