A Danish writer, Martin A. Hansen developed a thesis stating that:
There has been a trade route, a military route and a pilgrimage route across Zealand, Denmark.
Through wetlands, bogs, meadows, fields and forests.
“Not just a wheel track or horse trail, but a wide range of paths with shifts from century to millennium. It is traces of the first mound builders, the masters of dolmens, the passage graves, it is the Stone Age monuments on the valley stretches down toward the river estuaries, it is the elevated Bronze Age mounds, and finally, the Iron Age and Viking Age settlement and burial sites.” 1
1 Lethrica, The Historical Societies in Lejre Municipality, Volume 3, No. 8.
Years ago I decided to examing this 64 km trail.
It was a joyful exploration of an area enriched with historical tales and great beauty.
The walks became a beautiful journey through time and place.
Unforgettable visits to the Vikings’ old port, Vellerup Vig; the hills in Egholm Forest with a view of Dronningedyssen towards Orø; crossing through Kyndeløse Nordmark with pleasant farmers and happy cows.
Through the atmospheric Ejby Ådal and further up to Dyrehaven with a view of Tempelkrog.
Continuing through Rye with its many well mounds.
Out through Hestehaven and a detour down to the beautiful Aastrup and Elverdamsåen.
Past the always full church in Kirke Såby.
Over Roskilde Bakke and Kirkebakke to Helligrende and on to Abbetved, where I can still hear the call of the crows in the crisp autumn air.
The thunderstorm raged as I walked along the beautiful path towards Sagnlandet Lejre. I could make out the Sacrifice Marsh between the trees, and the thunderstorm added to the scenery.
The beautiful Knapsø with the grey-throated loons which emit strange cries.
Through Herthadalen, where the first constitutional meeting was held on the 5th anniversary in 1854.
Further through the historic Gl. Lejre towards Ramsødalen.
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Note
It is the Danish Society for Conservation (Danmarks Naturfrednings Forening) that is behind the idea for the trail.
They have chosen the name based on the author Martin A. Hansen, who wrote the essay “Gudernes Stræde”.
Gods trail system is approximately 64 kilometers long and runs from Mosede Fort to Vellerup Vig.
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