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Hedeland Naturtrail (Hedeland Nature Park)

A sweeping reclaimed landscape of hills, lakes, trails and play areas, where the Hedeland Naturtrail links nature, activity and quiet escapes near Roskilde.

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Hedeland Naturtrail threads through Hedeland Nature Park, a vast former gravel pit transformed into rolling hills, lakes and open green spaces between Roskilde, Hedehusene and Tune. Here, walking and cycling paths wind past viewpoints, nature playgrounds, vineyards, a ski slope and even a historic narrow-gauge railway. Open year-round and free to enter, it is an easy, rewarding escape into nature within reach of Copenhagen.

A brief summary to Hedeland Naturtrail

  • Herredsfogedvej 15, Roskilde, 4000, DK
  • Duration: 1 to 6 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Wear sturdy shoes: paths range from wide gravel to grassy slopes, and some stretches on the Naturtrail can be uneven or muddy after rain.
  • Bring food and drinks; there are picnic tables, grills and shelters, but no regular cafés inside the park itself.
  • If you want quieter paths, explore early morning or later in the afternoon, away from the main playground and activity zones.
  • Check local information in advance if you hope to ride the historic narrow-gauge train or use the ski slope, as these run only on specific days or conditions.
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Getting There

  • Train and bus from Roskilde

    From central Roskilde, take a regional train towards Hedehusene or Taastrup and continue by local bus towards the Hedeland area; the combined journey usually takes 30–45 minutes including transfer and a short walk from the bus stop. A standard one-way ticket within the Greater Copenhagen fare zones typically costs around 24–36 DKK depending on distance and ticket type. Services run frequently during the day, but buses can be less frequent in the evening and on weekends, so check departure times in advance.

  • Regional train from Copenhagen

    From Copenhagen Central Station, board a regional or intercity train towards Roskilde or further west and travel to Roskilde or Hedehusene, which generally takes 20–25 minutes. A single adult ticket normally costs about 50–80 DKK depending on class and fare. From there, connect by local bus or taxi for the final leg to one of Hedeland Nature Park’s entrances. This option is practical year-round, though onward connections into the park itself may involve additional walking on unpaved paths.

  • Cycling from Roskilde

    Confident cyclists can ride from Roskilde to Hedeland Nature Park in roughly 30–45 minutes, following local roads and cycle paths through the outskirts of town and open countryside. The route is mostly gentle but includes a few minor hills as you approach the park’s undulating terrain. There is no direct cost beyond any bike rental, which in the region typically ranges from 100–200 DKK per day. Surfaces vary from paved lanes to gravel near the park, so hybrid or trekking bikes are more comfortable than narrow road tyres.

  • Taxi from Roskilde

    A taxi from central Roskilde to entrances near Herredsfogedvej or Vindingevej usually takes 15–20 minutes, depending on traffic and the exact drop-off point. Fares commonly fall in the 150–250 DKK range each way, increasing at night and on weekends. This is the most direct option for travellers carrying picnic gear or visiting with young children, and it avoids the longer walks from bus stops to the inner parts of the park.

Hedeland Naturtrail location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
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Discover more about Hedeland Naturtrail

From gravel pits to green amphitheatre

Hedeland Naturtrail leads you into Hedeland Nature Park, an immense 1,000-hectare landscape shaped from former gravel extraction sites into a patchwork of hills, valleys and lakes. Instead of industrial machinery, you now find meadows, wetlands and regenerating woodland, with long, open views that feel surprisingly wild for Zealand. The area is jointly managed by the municipalities of Roskilde, Greve and Høje-Taastrup, and is continually evolving as nature reclaims the terrain. The park’s most striking landmark is its large open-air amphitheatre carved into a hillside, used for performances but also a dramatic viewing point on quiet days. Nearby slopes double as Denmark’s modest answer to a ski resort in winter, when conditions allow. Across the park, traces of the area’s working past – old tracks, embankments and pits – now act as routes and vantage points for walkers and cyclists following the Naturtrail.

Trails, viewpoints and quiet corners

The Hedeland Naturtrail connects into a dense network of paths, from short loops suitable for an hour’s stroll to a marked circular route of around 23 km for longer hikes and bike rides. Terrain varies from broad gravel tracks to narrower grassy paths that rise and fall over the undulating landscape, offering a more physical outing than the flat fields that dominate much of eastern Denmark. Along the way you encounter lakes alive with birdlife, open heaths, small patches of forest and high points with sweeping views towards Roskilde and the surrounding countryside. Benches and rest areas are dotted around the park, making it easy to pause for a picnic or simply sit and listen to the wind in the grass. Despite its size, much of the park feels intimate, with sheltered hollows and ponds that invite you to slow down.

Playgrounds, power tracks and family fun

Hedeland is especially well set up for families. A large nature playground close to one of the main entrances combines traditional equipment with landscape features: a long zipline, climbing structures, swings for both children and adults, and a dedicated toddlers’ area known as the Children’s Oasis. Here, small hills, bridges and a little hut create a cosy, semi-enclosed world for younger explorers. Framing the playground is a 1.3 km fitness “power track” with around 15 exercise stations, inviting adults and older children to mix cardio with simple strength training. Nearby picnic tables, benches, grills and shelters turn this corner of the park into an all-day base, whether you are visiting for a short playground stop or making a longer excursion along the Naturtrail.

Outdoor activities in all seasons

Beyond walking and cycling, Hedeland offers a surprising variety of outdoor pursuits. Riding trails cross the area, and clubs use designated circuits for motocross, mopeds and go-karts, while a golf course occupies part of the site. On selected days a historic narrow-gauge railway operates, recalling the industrial era while offering a leisurely ride through the park’s changing scenery. In winter, when temperatures dip low enough, the ski and toboggan slopes come to life, drawing local families for simple downhill fun. The rest of the year, the same hills are favourite spots for running intervals or simply for sitting at the top, enjoying sunset colours over the lakes below. With its large size and variety of corners, Hedeland can feel energetic or tranquil depending on where you choose to wander.

Nature, biodiversity and staying overnight

Ecologically, Hedeland’s nutrient-poor soils, exposed by decades of gravel extraction, have created habitats for specialist plants and insects that thrive where richer farmland species do not. Birdwatchers are drawn to the lakes and wetlands, where many characteristic Danish species find breeding and resting sites. The balance of open ground, scrub and young woodland gives the park a dynamic character as vegetation gradually thickens. For those who want more than a day visit, there is a small motorhome area near Langesø with a limited number of spaces and simple facilities, allowing short overnight stays close to the trails. Basic shelters and fire pits elsewhere in the park provide atmospheric spots for evening gatherings. Whether you come for an hour’s leg stretch or a full-day immersion, the Hedeland Naturtrail is an accessible gateway into one of Zealand’s most distinctive reclaimed landscapes.

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