Kirke Hvalsø: Discover culture and nature

Two themes stand out when planning a trip to Kirke Hvalsø: the town’s history and culture, and nature and trails in the Bidstrup Forests. When planning, you can decide whether you are more interested in local history, a cultural activity or the landscape.

Church and local history

Hvalsø Church is in the heart of Kirke Hvalsø, at the town’s highest point. It was built in the early 13th century. In the 14th century, a ribbed vault replaced the original wooden ceiling. The intersecting ribs give the vault its distinctive structure. The church therefore offers a glimpse of both its early construction and a later change to the ceiling.

Søtorvet also reflects a connection between the older town centre and newer buildings: the buildings from 2018 are centrally located in the older part of Kirke Hvalsø. Their rendered, colourful facades are a distinctive feature. The buildings house shops and apartments; commercial uses may change.

Cultural activities and planning your visit

Hvalsø and Særløse Churches host services, concerts and talks every year, contributing to the cultural life of Hvalsø and Særløse. Filmfestihvalsø is an annual event with a different focus: Hvalsø Bio has hosted it every March since 2004. The cultural hall at Hvalsø Kulturhus is suitable for concerts, theatre performances, talks and exhibitions. If you want to plan your visit around a specific event, check the event dates.

The library is part of the cultural centre. Its lounge area offers views of the town and pairs a visit to the library with a quiet place to read. Opening hours and visitor arrangements may change, so check the latest information before planning your visit.

Hvalsø has a regional railway station with connections to, among other places, Copenhagen, Høje-Taastrup, Roskilde, Holbæk and Kalundborg. As timetables may change, it is a good idea to check the current schedule when planning your journey.

Landscape and nature around Hvalsø

The Bidstrup Forests lie near Hvalsø, between Roskilde and Ringsted. The area includes woodland, heathland, forest meadows, marshes and lakes. Springs rise in the hills, and clear streams and rivers flow through the landscape. This variety is also reflected along the routes: a route through the Bidstrup Forests offers views of the glacially shaped Elverdamsdalen and passes old forest meadows. There you can find flowers, insects, butterflies and fallow deer.

Kildeengen is home to rare butterfly and plant species. These include the narrow-bordered pearl-bordered fritillary, which is on the Red List, and the engblomme, which is also listed there. The annual haymaking festival at Kildeengen welcomes visitors who would like to try scything. The cultural landscape here is more than just a backdrop: the festival offers an opportunity to try a traditional activity for yourself.

At Avnsø in the Bidstrup Forests, there is a bathing jetty, as well as tables and benches where you can eat food you have brought along. There is also a marked dog-walking forest at the northern end of the Bidstrup Forests, towards Hvalsø. Dogs may run free there under supervision.

Choose trails by length and character

The routes differ in length, course and activity. The red-marked Hjertestien is 5 km long and lies in the northern part of the Bidstrup Forests, towards Hvalsø. The approximately 35 km-long Skjoldungestien runs between Roskilde, Lejre and Hvalsø. This gives you a shorter marked route and a considerably longer hiking trail connecting several towns. Check the route and conditions before setting out.

For mountain biking, “Det hvide spor” offers a different kind of challenge: the route in the Bidstrup Forests is 9.5 km long and technically demanding. Trail conditions may vary. A signposted 4.5 km circular route starts at the Storskoven car park; along it, you can experience a work in the Bidstrup Forests. The old school and church path from the vanished village of Lerbjerg to Hvalsø offers another walking connection and views of Elverdamsdalen.

There are also nature activities aimed at families: “Yrsa i den gyldne skov” is a Nature Adventure in Storskoven near Hvalsø, and “Skovlingesaga: Tordenfødderne kommer!” is one in the Bidstrup Forest near Hvalsø. The names and locations distinguish these two activities, while the hiking and mountain biking routes are described mainly by their length, course and technical difficulty. Choose between them based on which of these themes is most important for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Ordrup, Kirke Såby, Kyndeløse, Lejre, Gershøj, Kisserup, Kirke Hyllinge

Go to the main travel overview: Lejre.