Odsherred between Coast, Geopark and Cultural History

Odsherred combines history, art and food production with a unique landscape shaped by the Ice Age and protected internationally. The region has 160 kilometres of coastline along Sejerø Bay, the Kattegat and the Isefjord. Geopark Odsherred was certified as Denmark’s first UNESCO Global Geopark.

Coast and Landscape

Overby Lyng is protected for its distinctive and well-preserved flora and offers views across Sejerø Bay towards Ordrup Næs. Hov Vig consists of a mosaic of wetlands, meadows, dry grasslands and forests. The area can be explored on foot or by bicycle; a path through the bird sanctuary runs along Hovvigvej. Odsherred’s beaches can be enjoyed all year round.

Trails through the Ice Age Landscape

Odsherred has around 300 kilometres of hiking trails through a varied landscape shaped by the Ice Age. Højderygstien passes Bronze Age burial mounds and viewpoints in the heart of UNESCO Global Geopark Odsherred. It follows the three characteristic geological formations known as Odsherredbuerne, which were formed during the last Ice Age around 17,000 years ago.

A seven-kilometre section of Højderygstien follows Vejrhøjbuen and offers views across Sejerø Bay and the Lammefjord. Istidsruten illustrates how the Ice Age shaped the landscape around 20,000 years ago and is also a 390-kilometre combined experience and cycling route in five stages through Odsherred and West Zealand. The 5.8-kilometre Kulturstien connects Nykøbing Sjælland, Nykøbing Harbour and the cultural environment of Anneberg; visitors can listen to eight podcasts along the route.

History, Art and Dragsholm Castle

At Dragsholm Castle, visitors can experience 800 years of Danish history in the atmospheric halls and corridors. A historical tour takes visitors through the castle’s architecture and the events that shaped the site. Historical tours take place several times a year and are offered for sale via the events page.

Dragsholm Castle has a long and honourable history involving, among others, kings and nobles, and has served as a hotel and restaurant open to the public since 1937. The Michelin experience there is shaped by seasonal ingredients and the unique terroir of the Lammefjord.

Malergården preserves the well-preserved artists’ home of the Swane family in the form in which Sigurd Swane and his family surrounded themselves with it from the mid-1930s onwards. At the Solvognen discovery site in Trundholm Bog, visitors can learn about life and landscape in transition, sun worship and Bronze Age offerings from around 3,500 years ago.

In the schoolyard of Odsherred Museum, a collection of rare herbs grows that were formerly used in medicine and witchcraft. Odsherred’s distinctive and varied landscape forms the main subject of the extensive collection of works by the Odsherred painters at an art museum.

Museums and Family Experiences

The Odsherred Trafikmuseum focuses on the private railway lines Odsherredsbanen and Høng-Tølløse Banen, which opened in 1899 and 1901 respectively. The Odsherred Trafikmuseum in the warehouse at Hørve Station also tells the story of the development of public transport, particularly in West Zealand.

The Sommerland Sjælland amusement park offers more than 60 rides and activities as well as the outdoor water park Den Blå Lagune.

Getting Around the Destination

Odsherred Museum can be reached on foot from Nykøbing Sjælland Station in around ten minutes. Odsherredsbanen line 510R runs between Nykøbing Sjælland and Holbæk; trains pass through each station twice an hour. The Rørvig–Hundested ferry service serves Odsherred.

Places in Odsherred directly linked include Asnæs, Bøsserup, Ebbeløkke, Føllenslev, Grevinge, Gudmindrup, Havnebyen, Højby, Høve Strand, Lumsås, Nykøbing Sjælland, Nyrup, Plejerup, Rørvig, Veddinge, Vig, Starreklinte, Tengslemark, Hønsinge, Yderby, Skæreby, Lestrup, Fårevejle Stationsby, Hørve, Abildøre, Stenstrup, Klint, Ordrup, Sjællands Odde, Nørre Asmindrup, Strandhuse, Holte and Fårevejle Kirkeby.

For the broader travel overview: Zealand.