Mountain landscapes in the middle of Denmark
The nature of the Danish island Sejerø is truly beautiful and unique. With more than 60 named hilltops spread across two “mountain ranges” along the length of the island, the landscape here stands apart from the typical flat lands of Denmark.
With a height of 30 metres (98 ft.), the highest point of Sejerø is Kongshøj – “the king’s hill”. While the second part of the word has a modest ring to it, the prehistoric locals’ pride in the rolling landscape is evident, as more than 30 names of hills in the area end with “-bjerg”, the Danish word for ‘mountain’.
It is not just the names of the hilly landscape that are magnificent. Local wildlife and birds have great living conditions on the islands where you can experience roe deer, hares and pheasants all year round, in addition to the numerous wading birds, small birds and birds of prey on the biggest island in Sejerø Bay. The guillemot, a small black auk bird with distinctive red legs, also breeds on the island, and the locals have even crowned it the national bird of Sejerø.
Astonishingly, around 100 beautiful peacocks live freely in the wild on Sejerø - a completely unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else in Denmark.
The peace mission of Swein Forkbeard
The name Kongshøj is in no way an expression of modesty, as it is located on top of a ridge called Bjerget – “The Mountain”. The hill is located on Bjerget, and on top of the hill is a mound from the bronze age. We are on the south-eastern side of Sejerø with a great view to Sejerø Bay and the Baltic Sea. There is a hiking trail that goes around Bjerget, and the trail continues all the way up to Kongshøj.
Here at the very top of Sejerø, the Danish king Swein Forkbeard once had to act as a mediator in a strife between the Earl of the island of Bornholm and the Earl of the now-Swedish area of Scania.
Discord had arisen because the sons of the Earl of Bornholm had been on a pillage in Scania. They had been caught red-handed, and Swein Forkbeard had to step in to ensure peace. The story goes that the mediation took place on Sejerø and was sealed with marriages between sons and daughters of the two earls.
In an old history book from the 18th century, it is mentioned that Swein Forkbeard had a so-called “Seyarting” on a Danish island in 993. Seyarting translates into something like “Seyar tribal council,” and it is widely believed that this assembly gathered on Sejerø, and that Seyar was the name of the island at the time.
What is certain is that a huge silver treasure was found on Sejerø in 1852. The treasure was hidden on the island shortly after the year 950, but today it is in the hands of the National Museum of Denmark.
Kongshøj can be found 5 kilometres (3.1 miles) east of the harbour, and the way there makes for a splendid hiking route that follows the Skansevej road along the coast for most of the way. For hikers who love the wilderness, a beautiful trek of about 24 kilometres (15 miles) awaits you if you choose to continue all the way around Sejerø.
Read more about Sejerø.
See a map of the hills and mountains of Sejerø.
Explore exciting tales from other places.
Learn more about Sejerø Harbor here.
