The Danish Pilgrim Route – Ringsted to Slagelse

The Danish Pilgrim Route from Ringsted to Slagelse – 46 kilometres in the footsteps of the Middle Ages

There is something special about walking a route that pilgrims have followed for nearly a thousand years. The Danish Pilgrim Route between Ringsted and Slagelse takes you through the southwest Zealand landscape on a stretch that connects two of Denmark's most important medieval churches – Sankt Bendts Church in Ringsted and Sankt Mikkels Church in Slagelse. The route is around 46 kilometres long and can be walked in two natural stages with Kongskilde Outdoor Centre as a midway point.

First stage – from Ringsted to Kongskilde

The route begins at the historic Sankt Bendts Church in Ringsted, where Danish kings were crowned in the Middle Ages. From here you follow marked paths southwest through a landscape that alternates between open fields, small villages and forest edges. The terrain is moderately hilly, and you can clearly sense the imprint of the ice age in the gentle hills and hollows. Along the way you pass close to Alsted Forest and the surrounding manor landscape, where old avenue trees and stone walls bear witness to centuries of farming. The stage ends at Kongskilde Outdoor Centre, beautifully situated by the Suså river. Here you can rest, fill your water bottle and enjoy the view across the river valley before deciding whether to continue or stop for the night.

Second stage – from Kongskilde to Slagelse

From Kongskilde the route continues west through the forested landscape of Sorø Municipality. You pass close to Sorø Lake and can glimpse Sorø Academy between the treetops before the path turns south towards the more open farmland. The final section takes you into Slagelse, where Sankt Mikkels Church marks the journey's end. The entire stretch features a mix of forest paths, field tracks and short sections along quiet country roads. The landscape changes character several times along the way – from the dense broadleaf forests around Sorø to the sweeping fields west of the town.

Landscape and nature along the route

The pilgrim route passes through some of West Zealand's most characteristic natural areas. The forests around Sorø are dominated by old beech trees, and in spring the forest floor is covered with anemones and wild garlic. The Suså valley meadows offer rich birdlife, and at Kongskilde you can spot kingfishers and wading birds along the riverbank. The open farmland between Sorø and Slagelse is typically West Zealand – large fields broken up by hedgerows, small woods and old stone walls. In autumn the landscape turns brown and golden, and on clear days you can see far across the fields from the route's highest points.

The pilgrim tradition in Denmark

The Danish Pilgrim Route is part of a network of European pilgrim routes stretching all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. In the Middle Ages pilgrimages were a central part of religious life, and the routes often followed the most practical paths between important ecclesiastical sites. Today most people walk the pilgrim route for other reasons – to find peace, to challenge themselves physically, or simply to experience the landscape at a slower pace than everyday life allows. Whatever the motivation, the route offers the chance to switch off and let your thoughts wander in step with your feet.

Practical information

The route is marked and can be walked in both directions. Most people split it into two day hikes with an overnight stay at Kongskilde or in Sorø. The terrain is predominantly easy to moderate and does not require special equipment, though good walking shoes are recommended as parts of the path can be damp after rain. Public transport connects both Ringsted and Slagelse with the rest of Zealand, making it easy to get to and from the route.

Experiences in the area

Beyond the walk itself there is plenty to experience along the route and in the surrounding towns. Ringsted offers its historic monastery and cosy town centre, while Sorø has its medieval academy, the beautiful Sorø Lake and a lively cultural scene. In Slagelse you can visit Trelleborg – the famous Viking ring fortress – or explore the town's modern shops and restaurants. Nature in the area invites everything from birdwatching and fishing along the Suså river to mushroom foraging in the forests in autumn. Find more ideas for experiences in West Zealand at destinationsjaelland.dk.