Skjoldunge trail

The Scyldingas, Skjöldunga or Skjoldunger clan is the mythical family of kings who supposedly founded the Kingdom of Denmark. 1500 years later their name was used for this trail (dead link: January 2023) connecting a number of important historical sights from the Viking age and late Iron Age in the area around Roskilde and Lejre. Roskilde is the home of the 900 years old Roskilde Cathedral and was an important centre of power in the early Middle Ages when the archbishop was Absalon of the "white familiy", nearby Lejre was an earlier centre of power with archaeological excavations revealing a kingly hall of 61 m by 12 m.

Understand

This itinerary is best done by foot or bike, but all the sights are also accessible by car. In addition all sights are accessible by public bus, but it will require a number of connections and detours.

Get in

There are three entry points for the itinerary - the stations Roskilde, Lejre and Hvalsø, all on the same line, the regional train to Kalundborg from Copenhagen (or Høje Tåstrup).

See

• Roskilde Museum, Sankt Ols Stræde 3 4000 Roskilde, 55.64121°, 12.08249°, +45 4631 6500, roskildemuseum@romu.dk. Small but informative museum of Roskildes history from the stone age to present times 50 kr 2018-03-11

• Roskilde Palace (Roskilde Palæ), Stændertorvet 3, 55.64227°, 12.08221°, +45 4631 6565. Home to two exhibitions, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Palace Wing. A four-wing, yellow baroque building built in the 18th century. It was home to the king and his family when around.

• Roskilde Cathedral (Roskilde Domkirke), 55.64267°, 12.08023°, +45 4635 1624, post@roskildedomkirke.dk. Apr-Sep: M-Sa 09:00-17:00, Su 12:30-17:00; Oct-Mar: Tu-Sa 10:00-16:00, Su 12:30-16:00, limited access during ceremonies. On UNESCO World Heritage List. This is where Danish kings and queens have been buried for a thousand years, 20 kings and 17 queens lay in the four chapels here. Most impressive are the temple like monuments for King Christian III and his wife. A wooden church was built here in the 10th century, the present church was built in early 13th century. Home to the Cathedral Museum. 60kr, students and pensioners 40 kr, children free, worshippers free

• Bypark, 55.646°, 12.081°. Established in 1915 by Roskilde's patron, O.H. Schmeltz. Comprises a playground for children, a snake-like walking path and other areas well suited for a stroll or for hanging around. The park is home to cultural events including summer concerts Tuesdays in July. If you walk from the city centre to the Viking museum, this can be done through the park.

• The Viking Ship Museum, Vindeboder 12 (Walk from Roskilde Station), 55.65090°, 12.08145°, +45 4630 0200, booking@vikingeskibsmuseet.dk. 10:00-17:00. A museum with several original viking ships, a viking research center, a harbour with copies of viking ships, and a shipyard making new ships. 80-115 kr, students 70-100 kr, children free

• St Jørgensbjerg Church (St. Jørgensbjerg Kirke), Kirkegade 26, 4000 Roskilde (Walk from Roskilde Station or bus 207), 55.6493°, 12.0755°, +45 4634 1466, sktjoergensbjerg.sogn@km.dk. 2018-03-11

• Sct. Hans Hospitals Museum, Kurhusvænge, 4000 Roskilde (bus 207), 55.6541°, 12.0536°, +45 41246721, karin.garde@regionh.dk. W 13:00-16:00. The psychiatric hospital was established in 1860 as one of the most modern of its time. The museum shows the history of the hospital. Free

• Boserup Forest, 55.654°, 12.036°. Hilly, primarily beech mixed forest. 5 km trekking path.

• Rope ferry across Kornerup Creek (Kornerup Å), 55.6482°, 12.0042°. Opening hours varies with weather. The rope ferry across Kornerup Å nord of Svogerslev Lake connects the Skjoldunger trail with the "Trails of Hesselbjerggaard" Free 2018-03-31

• Kornerup Church (Kornerup Kirke), Kornerup Kirke, Ravnshøjvej 7B, 4000 Roskilde (Busses 226, 227, 230R, 231, 236), 55.6331°, 11.9828°, bpr@km.dk. 2018-03-31

• Lejre Museum, Orehoejvej 4B, Lejre (bus 207), 55.6153°, 11.9693°, +45 4648 1468, museum@lejre.dk. Oct-Mar: Sa Su 11:00-16:00; Apr-Sep, Easter, autumn holiday: daily 11:00-16:00. Exhibits of Lejre's historical influence on the history of Denmark. Also exhibits of the historical development of the area. Free

• Lejre Land of Legends (Sagnlandet Lejre), Slangealleen 2, Lejre (bus 233 (only in the summer)), 55.616°, 11.943°, +45 4648 0878, kontakt@sagnlandet.dk. 2 May-18 Sep: Tu-F 10:00-16:00, Sa Su 11:00-17:00; also open during Easter and autumn holidays as well as M during mid summer. Theme park with reconstructions of a Iron Age village, a Stone Age camp, a Viking market, a 19th-century farm, cottages and more. 125 kr, children 3-11 85 kr

• Ledreborg Palace & Park, Ledreborg Alle 2, Lejre (bus 233 to the palace (only in the summer)), 55.606°, 11.950°, +45 4648 0038, info@ledreborgslot.dk. Park 11:00-16:00, palace only by appointment. Built 1740-45 by Count Johan Ludvig Holstein-Ledreborg and still the family residence. Houses a collection of original furniture and paintings. The baroque park has been restored. Houses an open air concert every summer. Park 25 kr

• Særløse Church (Særløse Kirke), Særløsevej 2, 4330 Hvalsø (bus 215), 55.57769°, 11.91679°, +45 4640 9501. 2018-03-31

• Valborup Forest (Valborup Skov), 55.564°, 11.880°. Large forest of beech and spruce, mostly private forest under the Skjoldnæsholm Estate. In the southernmost part of the forest is found the highest hill on Zealand, Gyldenløves Hill at 125 m and further south is the Skjoldnæsholm Bus & Tram museum. 2018-03-31

• Hvalsø Church (Hvalsø Kirke), Præstegårdsvej 2, 4330 Hvalsø (train to Hvalsø Statioon), 55.59235°, 11.86381°, +45 46409501, sc@hvalsoe-kirke.dk. 2018-03-31

Eat

• Roskilde. Roskilde has a large number of cafes and restaurants from burger and pizza to top-notch fine dining. The Viking Ship museum has its own restaurant "Snekken" (a "Snekke" is a type of Viking Ship) 2018-03-31
• The Eatery, Boserup Skov (Traktørstedet, Boserup Skov), Boserupvej 82, 4000 Roskilde (bus 207), 55.6627°, 12.0328°, +45 4632 0018, traktoerstedet@roskilde.dk. Opening hours varies by season. Coffee, tea, soft drinks and pastries 2018-03-31
• Golf Restaurant Birdie, Margrethehåbsvej 116, 4000 Roskilde, 55.6470°, 12.0343°, +45 9155 9961, peter@restaurantbirdie.dk. http://www.restaurantbirdie.dk/kontakt/. Pricy but membership is not required 2018-03-31
• Svogerslev Kro, Svogerslev Hovedgade 45, 4000 Roskilde (bus 201A), 55.6340°, 12.0170°, +45 4638 3005, Kontakt@svogerslevkro.dk. mid-range 2018-03-31
• Lejre Land of Legends (Sagnlandet Lejre), Slangealleen 2, Lejre, 55.616°, 11.943°, kontakt@sagnlandet.dk. Land of legends has 1 or 2 cafés
• Restaurant Herthadalen, Slangealleen 1, 4320 Lejre (bus 233 (only in the summer)), 55.61399°, 11.94287°, +45 4648 0157. reduced opening hours. 2018-03-31
• Restaurant Fasaneriet, Skottehusvej 12, 4320 Lejre (bus 233 (only in the summer)), 55.60686°, 11.94821°, +45 46 46 16 32, info@kokkenoghavfruen.dk. pricy 2018-03-31
• Restaurant Madstedet (Pizzaria), Gl Ringstedvej 2 A, 4330 Hvalsø, 55.5895°, 11.8619°, +45 4640 8078. 12:00-21:00. 2018-03-31
• Hvalsø Spisehus, Hovedgaden 21, 4330 Hvalsø, 55.5917°, 11.8633°, +45 5211 2223, hvalsoespisehus@gmail.com. closed Saturday and Monday. low to mid-range 2018-03-31
• Luccas Cafe & Pizzaria, Hovedgaden 18, 4330 Hvalsø, 55.5934°, 11.8626°, +45 4640 7464. 11:00-22:00. low 2018-03-31
• Cafetten (Pizza and Café), Jernbanevej 1, 4330 Hvalsø, 55.5959°, 11.8592°, +45 4640 8041. low 2018-03-31

Sleep

• Roskilde. Roskilde has a number of sleeping options from the youth hostel to a number of hotels in varying price ranges. 2018-03-31
• Outdoors. There are a few shelters along the Skjoldunga trail and in Boserup forest. Booking required - see the website 2018-03-31
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