A day in Lejre
People have lived in the area around Gl. Lejre for over a thousand years! This is a village where history is all around you. You can sense the first Danish kings, touch the ancient monuments, appreciate the unspoilt countryside and enjoy delicious local food along the way. From the royal halls of the Scylding dynasty and northern Europe’s longest avenue to the fantastic countryside of the national park and passionate organic farmers, it’s all here!
Gl. Lejre is a historic centre
The trip starts at Lejre Museum in the village of Gammel Lejre (often abbreviated to Gl. Lejre). You can park your car or bike here, or arrive on foot on the hiking trail Skjoldungestierne, or walk from the station (1.5km). In other words, this is a central place to start your trip.
Tour de France is part of your trip
If you arrive by car or by bike, you can enjoy the beautiful trip down the seven kilometres of northern Europe’s longest avenue, Ledreborg Allé. The avenue gives you a fantastic view of the hills on the horizon that were created following the ice age. These stretch from Gl. Lejre over Zealand and are known as the ”Zealand Alps”.
In the summer of 2022, the Tour de France cyclists rode down this avenue at the start of the legendary Tour de France race.
Royal power house
At Lejre Museum, you need to start by enjoying the view of the beautiful countryside that holds traces of the people who lived here over a thousand years ago. Back then Lejre was the centre of power and home to Denmark’s first kings – not just for a short time but for over 500 years!
The legend goes that the area around Lejre was originally settled by the Scyldings, descendants of King Scyld, Odin’s son. This is mentioned in the well-known legend Beowulf.
The atmospheric exhibition in museum contains gems such as the world-famous Odin figure, Denmark’s biggest silver treasure and the remains of a splendid helmet. Read more on Lejre Museum’s website here
Some of the best–preserved ancient discoveries were made in the area closest to the museum, not least the 100–metre–long stone ship from the 900s. This is one of several monuments that people from the past erected to honour their dead. You can also walk up to the remains of the five large royal halls, one of the signs that the first Danish kings lived here.
Ice age landscape, log boats and skilled vikings
From Lejre Museum, you can walk or bike the two kilometres to the Land of Legends in Lejre. This takes you past the original royal halls and the beautiful burial mound “Mysselhøj”. At the top of the hill, don’t forget to turn around and look behind you to enjoy the view all the way to Roskilde. See if you can spot Roskilde Cathedral.
The trip continues through the woods to the Land of Legends, where lots of exciting and educational activities will take you back to Denmark’s prehistoric times. Children can happily spend the entire day playing in the ice-age hills, sailing in canoes and lots more.
Experience the fantastic Royal Viking Hall, a reconstruction of the royal hall that you just walked by in Gl. Lejre, which is the largest royal hall known from Viking times in Denmark. The reconstruction is an impressive testimony to Nordic architecture and craftsmanship. In the Land of Legends, you can also find a reconstruction of the large stone ship from Gl. Lejre and really appreciate the historic atmosphere.
Feeling hungry?
Food and drink is an important part of any day out and in Gl. Lejre there are various options available. For example, you can take a packed lunch and eat it by Lejre Museum or in the Land of Legends in Lejre. You can also take a pack of sausages and bread and grill them on one of the barbecues in båldalen (Bonfire valley) in the Land of Legends. Or have a meal at Restaurant Herthadalen or Restaurant Fasaneriet, the restaurants close by.
More to do in the area
Delicacies everywhere
Lejre also has a number of farm shops with delicious and local organic products that are without a doubt worth a visit – and a taste. From the Land of Legends in Lejre or Lejre Museum, take the beautiful walk along the hiking trail Skjoldungestien to the Hegnsholt farm.
This is a working organic farm with chickens in portable coops and families of pigs fed on mash from the local brewery. Go into the fields, see the animals, enjoy a coffee and an ice-cream in the farm shop and fill your shopping basket with treats.
Or continue to the brewery Herslev Bryghus, which is the perfect start for a hike in the area.
The brewery has freshly made sandwiches and printed maps showing hiking routes of three, five and twelve kilometres that take you to Herslev Beach or on a route that includes the small rope ferry over the Kornerup Å stream. When you’ve finished your walk, a long table and 11 taps with fresh draft beer are waiting for you in the brewery’s tap room. It’s worth booking a table – especially if you’re planning to visit on Saturdays.
Grab an overnight stay at the Skoemagerkroen
Why not stay overnight in the area and achieve even more wonderful experiences? At the Skoemagerkroen you can sleep (almost like) Jeppe in the baron’s bed. It is said that “Jeppe på Bjerget” was written in the taverns. The cobbler’s inn has existed since 1521 and you can clearly feel the atmospheric and cozy atmosphere in the historic setting.
The inn has both 11 cozy rooms and 8 beautiful natural cabins. Try a delicious inn stay or treat yourself and your loved ones to a luxurious gourmet stay. You can also get down to gear in the wellness area with one of the inn’s spa packages.
About us
Fjordlandet, or Fjord Country, covers the scenic areas around Roskilde Fjord and Isefjord. The towns and landscape of Fjordlandet are filled with vibrant stories, while its harbours are abuzz with activity. On a summer day you’ll encounter beach guests, sailors, fishermen, nature lovers, birdwatchers, history buffs and Viking enthusiasts.
Social Media
