Background

Naturpark Åmosen

Zealand’s last wilderness: a vast lowland of bogs, lakes and forests where rare wildlife, ancient rituals and Viking power echo across the mists of Åmosen.

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Spreading across the low, misty basin of western Zealand, Naturpark Åmosen is one of Denmark’s most evocative wild landscapes. Nicknamed “Zealand’s last wilderness”, this 8,000–8,500-hectare nature park links bogs, lakes, meandering streams and old forests from Store Åmose to Skarresø and Tissø before reaching the Great Belt. Rich in birdlife, ancient peatlands and remarkable Stone Age and Viking finds, it’s a rewarding destination for walkers, cyclists, nature lovers and anyone curious about deep Danish history.

A brief summary to Naturpark Åmosen

  • Bakkendrupvej 28, Store Fuglede, 4480, DK
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 2 to 8 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 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

  • Bring waterproof footwear or sturdy boots; many paths cross low, wet ground, and conditions can be muddy outside high summer.
  • Pack binoculars and a field guide if you enjoy birdwatching, especially around Tissø, Skarresø and the open bog areas.
  • Insect repellent is useful from late spring to early autumn, when mosquitoes and midges can be active near wetlands.
  • Check local maps or the nature park’s visitor information before setting out; some trails cross private land with specific access rules.
  • If you plan to use shelters or primitive campsites, arrive early in the day and have a backup plan in case popular spots are occupied.
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Getting There

  • Regional train and bus from Holbæk

    From Holbæk, take a regional train towards Kalundborg and get off at Jyderup; the ride typically takes 20–25 minutes and costs about 40–70 DKK one way. From Jyderup, continue by local bus towards Store Fuglede or Gørlev, allowing 20–30 minutes depending on the specific stop and timetable. Services usually run hourly on weekdays and less frequently in the evening and on weekends, so checking the latest schedule before departure is essential.

  • Car from Copenhagen via west Zealand

    Driving from central Copenhagen to Naturpark Åmosen generally takes 1.5–2 hours, following the main motorway across Zealand before continuing on regional roads through west Zealand’s countryside. There is no entrance fee to the park itself, and parking at trailheads and visitor spots is typically free but limited, especially on sunny weekends and holidays. Expect higher traffic leaving the city on Friday afternoons and during peak summer periods.

  • Cycling approach from nearby towns

    From nearby towns such as Jyderup, Gørlev or Hvalsø, experienced cyclists can reach different sections of Naturpark Åmosen in about 30–60 minutes, using a mix of minor roads and signed cycle routes like parts of the Istidsruten. Surfaces vary from asphalt to gravel, and some stretches can be exposed to wind. There is no cost beyond any bike rental you may arrange locally, and this option is best from late spring to early autumn when daylight is long and paths are drier.

Naturpark Åmosen location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Rain / Wet Weather
  • Weather icon Hot Weather

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Discover more about Naturpark Åmosen

A lowland wilderness at Denmark’s green heart

Naturpark Åmosen unfolds as a broad, shallow valley of wetlands and woods running more than 45 km across west Zealand. Here, long river valleys, deep old forests, shimmering lakes and vast bogs form one continuous mosaic of habitats. Much of the park lies within protected Natura 2000 zones, which helps safeguard its quiet, open character and the sense of space that earns it the nickname “Zealand’s last wilderness”. This landscape was once a large post‑glacial lake. Over thousands of years, it slowly filled with vegetation and silt to become the peat bogs and meadows you see today. Walking the narrow paths along streams like Halleby Å or skirting the reedy fringes of Store Åmose, you can still read the traces of ice and meltwater in the soft contours of the land.

Birds, deer and life in the bog

The park’s patchwork of open water, reedbeds, meadows and woods supports an impressive variety of wildlife. Sea eagles patrol the skies over lakes such as Tissø and Skarresø, kingfishers flash low along streams, and cranes, geese and ducks use the area as a vital resting and breeding ground. In the forests and clearings, red deer and roe deer are often seen at dawn and dusk, especially in the quieter corners away from roads. The bogs themselves are living archives. Peat preserves plant remains and ancient timber, and the low, wet soils are home to specialised mosses, sedges and insect life. In late summer, many of the drier patches glow with heather and wild grasses, while dragonflies hover over black, peat‑stained pools. Even short walks offer a strong sense of being immersed in a functioning, semi‑wild ecosystem.

From Stone Age rituals to Viking power

Åmosen is not only rich in nature; it is one of Denmark’s most important archaeological landscapes. Around the original lake, Stone Age communities built settlements and ritual sites, leaving behind tools, weapons, sacrificial deposits and even traces of wooden cult houses. The waterlogged soils preserved many of these remains, giving researchers unique insight into early life after the Ice Age. Later, in the Viking Age, nearby Tissø became a centre of power and worship. The famous Tissø neck ring, a massive gold torc weighing almost 2 kg, was found in this area and hints at the wealth and religious importance of the site. Walking along the western shore of Tissø or visiting the historic farmstead at Fugledegård, which serves as the park’s communication hub, you step into a landscape layered with sacred places, farms and long‑vanished halls.

Trails, viewpoints and quiet adventures

Naturpark Åmosen is designed for gentle exploration rather than adrenaline. Waymarked walking and cycling routes thread through forests, along dykes and former railway lines, and past lakes and meadows. Sections of the long‑distance Istidsruten (Ice Age Route) cross the park, linking viewpoints, bird hides and small cultural sites such as churches and manor landscapes on the valley slopes. Shelters, simple campsites and hammocking spots are dotted around, allowing you to stay overnight and experience the play of light and mist at sunrise or the clear, dark skies after nightfall. Families often opt for short loops near picnic areas and open spaces, while more experienced walkers and cyclists can string together longer day trips across several sections of the valley.

A shared landscape shaped by many hands

Unlike a remote national park, most of Naturpark Åmosen lies on private land, managed in cooperation between landowners, three municipalities and the park organisation. Grazing animals keep meadows open, forestry adapts to protect biodiversity, and new lowland projects help restore wetlands and reduce carbon and nutrient emissions. This collaborative approach gives the park a lived‑in, working‑landscape feel: you may pass farmhouses, small villages and fields on your way between wilder stretches of bog and woodland. Information panels and occasional events at Fugledegård and other hubs explain ongoing restoration work, the importance of peatlands for climate and biodiversity, and the ambitions for the park’s next decades.

Planning your time in Åmosen

A visit can be as short as a lakeside stroll or as involved as a multi‑day trek. Many travellers choose a half‑day to walk one marked trail, watch birds from a hide and take in a viewpoint over the valley. With more time, you can combine cycling stages with stops at historical churches, manors and small village museums at the edges of the park. Weather and seasons shape the experience: in spring and autumn, migrating birds and shifting water levels create a dynamic, sometimes dramatic scene, while summer offers easier trails, lush vegetation and long evenings. Winter can be starkly beautiful but muddy underfoot, with bare trees revealing wider vistas across the damp, open lowlands.

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