Jyderupstien – Kongskilde to Svinninge

Jyderupstien – a long walk through the heart of West Zealand

The Jyderupstien stretches 60 kilometres from the old monastery grounds at Kongskilde in Sorø Municipality to Svinninge in Holbæk Municipality. The route follows a corridor of forest tracks, field paths and short stretches of tarmac through a landscape that changes character several times along the way. From the deep deciduous forests around the Sorø lakes to the open bogs near Undløse and the rolling fields north of Stenlille – the Jyderupstien offers a surprisingly compact picture of just how varied West Zealand really is.

The starting point at Kongskilde

Most hikers begin at Kongskilde Friluftsgård, located just south of Sorø. There is parking here and access to the Susså valley, which forms a natural prelude to the rest of the journey. The Kongskilde area itself has a long history reaching back to the Middle Ages, and the ruins of the old monastery lie half-hidden in the landscape. It is a good place to stretch your legs before the trail begins to wind properly between hills and forest edges.

Through Sorø's forest and lake landscape

The first section of the Jyderupstien leads through some of the most undulating terrain in Sorø Municipality. The path passes close to Sorø Lake, where the beech forest reaches almost down to the shore. The air here feels different – damp and filled with the scent of humus and wild garlic in spring. The terrain rises and falls with remnants of the ice-age landscape, and from the highest points you can catch glimpses of the lake's still surface between the tree trunks. The forests also harbour a rich wildlife – roe deer, green woodpeckers and various tit species are among the permanent residents.

Across the open stretches

When the trail leaves the wooded areas and approaches the border with Holbæk Municipality, the landscape opens up. Fields spread out on both sides and the horizon suddenly becomes wide. It is on these stretches that you truly feel the length of the route. In return, there is something liberating about walking with an unobstructed view, especially when the wind carries the song of skylarks. The area around Stenlille and Undløse offers small ponds and wet meadows that attract wading birds and give the route a completely different feel from the shady forest passages further south.

A route with many stages

The Jyderupstien does not need to be walked in one go. Many people divide the route into day stages and use the small village communities along the way as milestones. Dianalund, Stenlille and Jyderup are all possible places to take a break or stop for the day. This division makes the route well-suited for experienced long-distance walkers who want to cover the entire distance in two to three days, as well as for families or couples who prefer shorter walks of ten to fifteen kilometres at a time.

Experiences in the area

Along the Jyderupstien you pass several places worth stopping at. The town of Sorø with its historic academy tradition and well-preserved buildings around the church is an obvious destination if you set off early. Further north lie Skarresholm and Bromme Plantation, both with public access and fine nature trails. At the Holbæk end of the route you can visit the Svinninge Model Railway or take a detour to Lammefjorden, known for its carrots and reclaimed land. The entire area is filled with opportunities to combine hiking with local experiences – find even more at destinationsjaelland.dk.