Værslevstien – Kalundborg to Gørlev

Along the Old Railway from Kalundborg to Gørlev

The Værslevstien follows the route of a railway line that was built back in 1896. In its heyday, it connected Kalundborg with Gørlev and served as the lifeline for the many small villages along the way. Today the rails are long gone, but the flat, even trackbed has been transformed into a 26-kilometre hiking trail that links town and countryside in an entirely different way.

From Town Centre to Open Land

The route begins at Banegårdspladsen in the heart of Kalundborg, where the modern station still stands. From here, you follow the old railway embankment southeast, and within the first few kilometres the surroundings shift from town to suburban gardens and onward into the open West Zealand landscape. The transition is gradual and almost imperceptible — suddenly you are surrounded by fields, hedgerows and small copses framing the horizon.

The Landscape Along the Disused Line

The West Zealand agricultural landscape is in many ways underrated. It is not dramatically hilly or spectacular, but there is a quiet beauty in the wide views, the well-kept fields and the small villages you pass along the way. The trail runs through Værslev, which gave the route its name, and on past smaller settlements such as Særslev and Bakkendrup. Each place has its own character — some with an old village shop or a parish church, others just a few farms along the road.

Flat and Accessible Route

Because the route follows an old railway trackbed, it is remarkably flat. There are no steep climbs, and the surface is mostly firm gravel or packed earth. This makes Værslevstien suitable for walkers of all ages and fitness levels — and also for runners seeking a long, uninterrupted stretch. The 26 kilometres can of course be divided into shorter stages, and there is access to the trail from several side roads along the way.

Railway Traces in the Landscape

Although the rails have gone, you can still read the railway's history in the terrain. Embankments, old station sites and road crossings tell of a time when the train was the most important link between villages and the wider world. Along the way you pass places where station buildings still stand — now converted into private homes. It offers a fascinating insight into how infrastructure shapes and transforms a landscape over time.

Experiences in the Area

From the Kalundborg end of the trail, it is a short walk to the historic town centre with the Church of Our Lady and its medieval streets. To the south lies Lake Tissø with the Viking Age settlement of Fugledeård, and Røsnæs with its cliffs and lighthouse is only half an hour's drive north. Gørlev at the eastern end of the trail is a quiet market town with good shopping facilities. For even more experiences and inspiration for outings in West Zealand, visit destinationsjaelland.dk.