A hike around Reersø

Hiking around Reersø – Coastal Cliffs, Quiet Beaches and Ancient Village Culture

Reersø is one of West Zealand's best-kept secrets. The small peninsula stretches into the Great Belt between Kalundborg and Korsør, offering a hike that combines dramatic coastal cliffs, peaceful salt meadows and one of Zealand's most intact village environments. The route around Reersø follows marked clover trails (kløverstier) starting from the car park at Strandvejen, and you can choose between several routes of varying length.

Along the Cliffs on the West Coast

The most memorable section of the hike runs along the west coast of Reersø, where the path follows the top of the high, steep cliffs with unobstructed views across the Great Belt. On a clear day, you can see Funen and Sprogø, and the beaches below with seaweed and cobblestones lend a raw, untouched feel. The cliffs were formed by glacial deposits and are still slowly eroding, so the landscape changes subtly from year to year. This is a stretch that invites you to stop, breathe deeply and simply take in the view.

Reersø Rev and the South Coast

To the south, Reersø Rev extends into the sea as a long, narrow spit of sand and stone. The spit is a popular spot for birds, and you can often see waders and terns along the water's edge. The south coast is lower and gentler than the west coast, with salt meadows that turn yellow with marsh marigolds in spring. It is quiet and peaceful here, and you rarely encounter anyone other than local fishermen and birdwatchers.

Through the Village

The village of Reersø is an experience in its own right. The old half-timbered farms and thatched houses are clustered around the church, and the village has preserved its structure virtually unchanged for several hundred years. King Valdemar's Land Registry from around 1230 mentions Reersø as an island with house, fallow deer and roe deer, and the place originally consisted of several small islets that gradually merged into the peninsula we know today. The historical atmosphere is palpable, and you can clearly sense that this is a place where time has moved more slowly than in the rest of the world.

Practical Information

The clover trails on Reersø start from the car park at Strandvejen 27. There are four marked routes of varying length, so you can tailor the hike to your available time and energy. The longest route of approximately ten kilometres takes three to four hours at a leisurely pace with stops for views and photography. The terrain alternates between cliff paths, forest trails, gravel roads and field paths, and most sections are suitable for ordinary footwear in dry weather. Dogs are welcome on a lead.

Nature and Wildlife

Reersø harbours a surprisingly wide variety of habitats within a small area. The coastal slopes are home to wild herbs and butterflies, the salt meadows provide habitat for wading birds, and the small patches of woodland along the route offer shelter and shade on warm days. The peninsula is also known for its rich birdlife, with species such as oystercatcher, lapwing and redshank, and during migration season you can see large flocks of geese and ducks over the Great Belt.

Experiences in the Area

Reersø lies in the southern part of Kalundborg Municipality, close to Bjerge Sydstrand and the charming village of Mullerup. To the north, you can visit Kalundborg with the five-towered Church of Our Lady, and at Lake Tissø lies one of Denmark's most important Viking Age sites. The Røsnæs peninsula with its distinctive lighthouse and coastal cliffs is another excellent excursion in the area. For more hikes and experiences in the region, visit destinationsjaelland.dk.