Zealand: Chalk Cliffs, Viking Culture and Nature Trails

Stevns Klint is a 15-kilometre-long, fossil-rich coastal cliff and provides exceptional evidence of the impact of the Chicxulub meteorite. Møns Klint is a glaciotectonic landscape shaped by Pleistocene glaciers, with chalk cliffs, rare calcareous grasslands and beech forests, as well as 18 orchid species and fossils continuously exposed by erosion. In 2025, Møns Klint was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nature

Skjoldungernes Land National Park covers 170 square kilometres of unique nature, cultural history and Ice Age landscapes with gentle hills and large meltwater valleys. The blue part of the national park encompasses Roskilde Fjord, with salt marshes, coastal cliffs, islands and islets, as well as a diverse bird population.

The nature reserve at Lake Gundsømagle covers 300 hectares and is home to the largest reed bed in eastern Denmark. It features a 1-kilometre-long nature trail between two birdwatching towers and a 450-metre-long boardwalk leading into the reed bed.

Røsnæs is designated as a Natura 2000 site and has species-rich chalk grasslands with orchids, thyme, wild carrots and numerous butterfly species. The Røsnæs Point nature trail follows the coastal cliffs and open grasslands to the very tip of the Røsnæs peninsula.

Culture

Roskilde Cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries as Scandinavia’s first Gothic cathedral constructed of brick. Since the 15th century, it has served as the mausoleum of the Danish royal family.

Trelleborg is a UNESCO World Heritage site; the exhibition explains how the Vikings lived and fought. In the Viking village of Slagløse, visitors can try longbow archery, warrior training, baking bread over an open fire and making jewellery using traditional methods in summer.

The Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde is centred around five original Viking ships from Skuldelev. The museum offers trips in traditional Nordic wooden boats, during which participants row and set the sails. The Viking Ship Museum café serves dishes inspired by the world of the Vikings.

Roskilde Museum is housed in two listed historic buildings and presents exhibitions of artefacts ranging from the Ice Age to modern history. Its offerings include creative workshops, interactive family activities and guided tours of the exhibitions and the city.

Trails and Activities

The hiking trails at Møns Klint offer views from the cliff edge, stretches through the forest, ancient monuments and access to calcareous grasslands. In the southern part of the cliffs, the Fossil Route leads along the beach and through the forest to a unique fossil site and offers impressive views along the way.

Røsnæs Rundt is a 25-kilometre coastal hike around the westernmost point of Zealand. The route passes the chalk cliffs and Røsnæs Lighthouse and offers views across the Great Belt.

Skjoldungernes Land National Park can be explored on hiking and cycling tours and via its trails and shelters. The Forest Tower experience at Camp Adventure includes a 900-metre-long forest walkway and a 650-metre-long spiral ramp to the top. The Forest Tower at Camp Adventure stands 135 metres above sea level and is the highest accessible point on Zealand.

In 2026, a free bus route was established from Slagelse railway station to Trelleborg.

The regional subdivisions of Zealand include the subregions Herritslev, Lolland, Mon Island, Vordingborg Municipality, Stevns Municipality, Sorø Municipality, Solrød, Slagelse, Roskilde Municipality, Ringsted, Odsherred, Næstved Municipality, Lejre, Køge Municipality, Kalundborg, Holbæk Municipality, Greve Municipality, Faxe Municipality and Guldborgsund Municipality.