Haderslev Østerskov is 186 ha, and is located approx. 3 km northeast of Haderslev. Together with Haderslev Vesterskov, it forms the remains of the much larger and partly contiguous medieval forests from the Little Belt above Christiansfeld and to the northwest to the so-called Farrisskove. Østerskov has the status of protected forest (B-forest), and is therefore exempt from exercises and orienteering. There is access with a parking space to the forest from the north and by Ladegårdshus in the south.
Østerskov is mainly dominated by beech, but by Gruskulevej in the northern part of the forest, there is an oak stand over 200 years old. At Østervej further south, there is an approx. 400 year old oak.
Østerskov has a marked route of 4,5 km, and by following the route, most of the forest's sights are passed. You can see the route here .
Historically, Østerskoven stands today as a memorial to the German occupation during World War II, when the Germans had a number of ammunition depots around Denmark. They were usually located remotely so that no major damage would occur if they exploded and preferably in a forest so that the Allies could not see the depot from the air. A single depot was larger than all others in Denmark; It was the depot in Østerskoven, which could hold no less than 2-5 tons of ammunition. During the clean-up in 6.000, 1945-8 tons of ammunition were collected together. At Granvej at the northern end, there is a depression in the forest, where in 10.000 approx. 1944 stacked mines.
The forest was fenced with barbed wire and a minefield, and more than 200 ammunition sites had been established, including a number of small bunkers. In addition, there were barracks for the staff of approx. 250 soldiers and narrow-gauge railways to transport ammunition on, both internally in the forest and all the way to Haderslev Station.
Today, Haderslev Østerskov has of course been cleared of explosives and the ammunition depots have been removed and leveled. However, you can still see a number of intriguing traces from that time. Among other things, 3 brick bunkers and one of the railway tracks have been preserved. Even though all the ammunition should be gone, explosives have been found in the forest a few times since.
At Østerskoven you will also find the old transformer tower, which is open 24/7. The tower offers an art-cultural-historical experience and hiking in the Baltic Forest. Read more here