Lynghøjsøerne & Runde Rie

From gravel pit to green playground

Lynghøjsøerne began life as a raw gravel pit on the outskirts of Roskilde, carved out for decades by heavy industry before the machines moved on and a new idea took hold. Today those scars have softened into three deep lakes framed by sloping banks, young woodland and open skies, creating a city-near nature area that feels far more rural than the address suggests. The water has an unusually clear, almost opal-blue tint, and the steep sides of the old pit give the landscape a dramatic, bowl-like shape. Grassy shelves and reclaimed tracks have been turned into paths, small bathing areas and viewpoints. It is a place that tells a quiet story of how an exhausted industrial site can be patiently reshaped into somewhere people seek out for picnics, swims and evening walks.

Walking, riding and swimming between the lakes

A well-developed network of trails loops between the three lakes, making it easy to stitch together anything from a short stroll to a longer circuit. Wide gravel tracks hug the water, while narrower paths wind through stands of birch and pine, up and down the banks with changing views across the water surface. On the western and middle lakes you find simple bathing beaches where locals slip into the cool water on warm days. Nearby, picnic tables and open grass invite you to spread out a blanket. Around the western lake, a pair of shelters and designated fire sites mean you can extend your stay into the evening, cooking over embers as dusk drops into the steep-sided basin and the last light catches the lake.

Mountain bikes, dog runs and active corners

Lynghøjsøerne is not just for quiet contemplation. Woven through the slopes is a purpose-built mountain bike trail with multiple loops, using the terrain of the old pit for berms, climbs and flowing descents. It offers options for different skill levels, from families trying off-road cycling for the first time to regular riders looking for a quick blast after work. Those on four legs are catered for as well. An enclosed dog area with agility elements lets dogs run freely and practice obstacles without the need for a lead. Elsewhere, open lawns double as informal play and ball-game zones, and small jetties and boat places serve local anglers and paddlers who use the lakes in season.

Meeting Runde Rie at the water’s edge

Perhaps the most distinctive inhabitant of Lynghøjsøerne is Runde Rie, one of the giant wooden trolls created by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. She sits at the edge of the middle lake, legs dangling over the water, a fishing rod in her wooden hands and a calm, slightly mischievous expression watching the ripples in front of her. Built from recycled wood and raised with help from local volunteers, Runde Rie is part artwork, part folk tale come to life. Children clamber onto her feet and peer into her face, while adults enjoy the way she anchors the otherwise natural scene with a touch of fantasy. For many families, seeking her out turns a simple lake walk into a small-scale treasure hunt.

Café life and seasonal atmosphere

In the warmer months, the atmosphere by the lakes shifts again when a small volunteer-run café named after Runde Rie opens on selected weekends. Here you can pause for a coffee, ice cream or simple snack, often sharing the terrace with cyclists, hikers and neighbours using the area as an extended backyard. As seasons turn, the character of Lynghøjsøerne changes with them. Spring brings fresh leaves on the slopes and birds skimming the water. Summer is all about swims, long evenings and the buzz of activity on the trails. In autumn the banks glow with colour, and in cold winters the exposed basin feels crisp and quiet. Throughout the year, the lakes remain a close-to-town escape where nature, recreation and a wooden troll coexist in an unusual but very Danish harmony.