50 kilometres of lovely, lonely Danish nature with deep woods and an awesome ice age lake. Hiking the Ringsted Oplevelsessti (Adventure Trail) and then the Køge Å trail was two days of geology, history, nature and even a nice swim – and I had it all to myself.
For my first summer hiking trip in 2025 I wanted solitude. I had to find a beautiful trail that is not too hyped where I could spend a couple of days exploring. And the answer to my prayers was the relatively newly established Ringsted Adventure Trail (Ringsted Oplevelsessti in Danish).
Official links (in Danish) for more stuff about the Ringsted Adventure Trail
Ringsted is a smallish town located a short train trip from Copenhagen. And if I walked a bit more than the full 25 km. of the trail, I could camp out for night, and then continue along the Ridge and Stream of Køge following those geological features all the way to the town of Køge.
All told, an easy to access trail of 50 km. Some lakeside, some rural country, some deep woods and a long hike along a quiet stream. Perfect!
Dont feel like reading about it? You can go to my youtube channel instead and see the whole thing on video 🙂
DAY 1 – 30 kilometres from Ringsted to Regnemark
The trip to the trailhead was cheap and easy with 40 minutes on the train from Copenhagen and a super short bus ride. I soon found the starting point and went on my way.
My goal for the morning hike was a long lake, Haraldsted Lake that should provide for exceptional views. First though, I enjoyed several kilometres on the outskirts of Ringsted. Chirping birds, resting deer, grass-eating cows, slow-moving snails – all on a background of green and yellow fields intermingled with clumps of trees. It was easy going despite the hot weather and I was enjoying myself mightily.
Want to hike the trail yourself? Find all you need on my info page.
Several kilometres just disappeared behind me with so much to look at. I eventually had to cross a section of asphalt roads that felt slightly uninteresting, but then!
A mighty ice age-created lake appeared on my right with a gorgeous view. Enthusiastically, I hiked further along the northern bank of the lake.
If you need a GPX-file, I have made one for you right here.
The 6-7 kilometers alongside Haraldsted Lake were one of the best parts – if not THE best part – of the Ringsted Adventure Trail. The dirt trail would wind up and down, left and right, taking me close to the water, then deep into the woods. About half way, I found my self in the Vrangeskov, which translates to “The Wrong Wood”. An eerie place of writhing mutated (yes, really!) trees. Luckily, it was high noon, so it wasn’t too dark, but still, quite an experience.
Read more about The Wrong Wood and a rare beetle living there at this official website (In Danish, sorry).
I also found a small obstacle course. I suppose that’s where the adventure part of hiking the Ringsted Adventure Trail comes from. Good fun.
Finally, as I was reaching the end of the lake and time for lunch, I came close to a historically significant site. In the year 1131, the heir to the Danish throne became so concerned with his more popular cousins’ growing influence, that he decided to lure him into these very woods and murder him. Look up “murder of Knud Lavard”, if you want to check up on my history knowledge. It was a big deal! Threw the whole of Denmark into civil war. Nasty business, but the area sure is peaceful and lovely today.
Having covered slightly more than half of todays’ 30 km. hike, I sat down and had a lunch consisting of peanut butter on rye bread with fresh water. Lots of calories and tasty too. Rye bread! A Danish lunchtime staple that will keep you walking for hours.
Next up was a rather dreary couple of kilometers alongside a heavily trafficked road. This was quickly done, though, and I went deeper into the countryside with rolling hills and great views of fields and pastures. Danish rural country at its’ best.
Though I was starting to feel quite sorefooted after 20+ km., I felt a growing ease of mind as each step took me deeper into a great beechwood forest. Humleore Forest. The trees were tall and green, and sometimes opened to a perfect blue sky. I even caught a glimpse of the local eagle couple soaring high in the sky. That kind of thing always leaves me humbled and thankful somehow – nature at its’ best. Hiking at its’ best. Also, the fact that nobody else was around, made this experience perfect. I found more solitude than I ever would have dared hope for on this hidden gem of a trail.
The forest seemed to go on forever as my mind drifted to a state of relaxed joy – despite the complaints from my weary feet. And then, I suddenly came out from the trees on a hilltop with a view to water. I had reached the area of Regnemark, south of the town of Borup, where you can find a camping site for spending the night, a lake for swimming, a pancake shop for snacks and a charming tea boutique with all kinds of nice stuff inside.
The water was incredibly inviting after a long, hot walk, so I hesitated not at all before finding my swim shorts and jumping in. Ahhhh!
Thus refreshed, I took stock of the day; I had walked 28 km. and still had 2 more to go before reaching my campsite for the night. It was late in the afternoon and I was hungry and sore, but the cool dip had given me new energy to walk. The trail itself had been beautiful and varied so far. The amazing lake, the fields and forests, the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Perfection!
I completed the last stretch at a brisk page and got to say hello to some adorable longhaired cattle grazing by the side of the gravel path that brought me “home”. Knowing from experience, that it is best not to rest until after the camp is established, I broke out my trusty tent and pitched it in the backyard of a friendly lady from my family who happens to live in this area.
I then had a whole evening ahead of me for some slow Trangia cooking. Freeze dried Pasta Bolognese. Not bad at all, but waiting for the water to boil and the meal to prepare itself was…well…a long wait being somewhat ravenous at the time. I then spent the evening relaxing, sorting through my photos and swatting mosquitoes, but as soon as darkness started falling, I sank into a exhausted, but joyful sleep….
DAY 2 – 20 kilometres from Regnemark to Køge
I managed to oversleep – perhaps, I had pushed myself a little too hard yesterday. This was after all, the first hike of the season and 30 km. is not nothing.
It wasn’t too bad, though, since I had a realtively short distance ahead of me. I would be following at times the Ridge of Køge (a sort of elongated Hill created by tectonics) an at other times the Stream of Køge which is “just a stream” that does run through some lovely woods and countryside.
After a quick knäckebröt-and-peanut-butter breakfast, I began the trek. I enjoyed many kilometres hiking directly on the Ridge itself with nice views, flowers, peat bogs, rich grain fields and a general feeling of splendid isolation.
I was enjoying another sunny day in a dreamy, meditative state of mind, when reality hit. The path was blocked for maintenance. The official detour led nowhere. Soon I was kind of lost. I scrambled across a brushland and even a suddenly appearing construction site with piles of gravel and debris, but eventually, I did find the trail once more. However, I had also found the Stream of Køge, and I was on the wrong side with no bridge in site.
This led to a rather optimistic climb onto the branches of a rickety tree with branches hanging over the stream. I clambered across and then had to jump down on the other side. Scary, if not actually dangerous. Phew! I had a sip of water, brushed the dirt off my t-shirt, and went on my way.
I soon recovered from the bit of drama. Hiking along the gently gurgling stream was a true joy. Buzzing insects and chirping birds on a blue sky. My slow and utterly relaxed brain let go and left it to my feet to lead a brisk pace. I got in a lot of kilometres with Danish summer doing its’ thing all around me.
The next stage was a short trip trough the forest outside the village of Lellinge. This was quite a change of scenery as I left the bright fields and meadows behind, instead going under a major highway and then emerging in a deep, shady forest. A nice change and a chance to cool down a bit.
Sadly, the forest trail soon ended and the next few kilometres took me through and beyond Lellinge (with shopping opportunities, had I needed them). All of this was tarmac roadside hiking accompagnied by cars, trucks, and more cars. Despite great views – I was still on or close to the ridge – I enjoyed this bit the least on the whole trip.
There was one consolation. I got to pass close to a achaeological site with a reconstructed (kind of) viking fortress called Borgring. Ancient history is fascinating to me, and I found strength and fresh spirit in imagining the glory of olden days.
Not long after, I saw the final forest ahead which I knew would require me to climb the Ridge of Køge one final time and follow it to the trail end and the town of Køge itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this last bit. A bit of up and down in another lush green beechwood forest. I knew my trip was coming to an end, and I set a slow pace with the ridge on one side and the stream on the other side.
And thus, it was all over. I found a sign marking the eastern trailhead, but for me, this was the finish line. My feet were weary, but otherwise, I felt exhilerated, refreshed and hungry for more Danish wonderland. What an experience! 50 km. behind me and so many amazing views.
I cannot wait for my next hike…
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