Construction of a large and costly brick church for its time began in the 1090s on the site of today’s Skt. Mikaels Kirke. Slangerup combines this early historical connection with an urban structure that has developed over centuries and natural areas such as Kirkeengen and Lystrup Skov.
The church, Kingo and the historic townscape
Skt. Mikaels Kirke was completely rebuilt in the second half of the 16th century. Thomas Hansen Kingo is also closely connected with Slangerup: the well-known hymn writer was born here in 1634 and was appointed to a parish in the town in 1668. In his will, he bequeathed a brass candlestick, among other things, to the church. Tours where you bring your own guide must be arranged in advance with the church office.
In the historic part of Slangerup, the settlement pattern, buildings worthy of preservation, facades and sightlines, trees and squares shape the townscape. Slangerup Miniby offers a different view of the town: it depicts Slangerup around 1900 at a scale of 1:10. The Slangerup Miniby association has been building the model town since 1996. In Slangerup, the town’s evolved structure and a scale model of its appearance around 1900 thus stand side by side.
The Old Blacksmith’s Shop and the exhibition are run by the Local History Association for the Slangerup area. During the season, the forge fire is lit on the last Saturday of every month. Check when this seasonal activity takes place before visiting.
Nature close to town and woodland
Kirkeengen is a patch of wild nature close to town and has been protected since 1945. The area provides habitat for numerous summer birds, including the blackcap, nightingale and garden warbler. Its habitat and the specific bird species make Kirkeengen a nature destination with a clearly seasonal character.
Lystrup Skov offers a different focus. This state forest is one of the last remnants of the large, continuous forest that once covered extensive parts of North Zealand. It covers around 200 hectares and is divided by a low-lying valley of meadows and bogs, at the bottom of which the Gørløse Å flows. The landscape can therefore be understood both through its present form and its former extent.
For mountain bikers, Djævlesporet is a specific option: the 13.8-kilometre route starts at Lystrupvej/Kratvej and consists of two connected loops. In Lystrup Skov, the trail is technically challenging and follows a singletrack in a clockwise direction. One important distinction for hikers is that there are no marked hiking trails in the forest.
Overnight stays and choosing an excursion
If you are considering a simple overnight stay outdoors, you can compare the facilities at the sites. The primitive overnight site in Kratmølleskoven has five hammock stands, a fire pit and a table with benches; it can be reached on foot or by bicycle. There is also a primitive overnight site at Lystrup Enge, with two small shelters, two fire pits with benches and two picnic table sets. One fire pit overlooks the meadows of Lystrup.
The Engblommen-and-Firlingen shelters comprise two mini-shelters with fire pits and a small bench. Each shelter accommodates two to three overnight guests. An approximately one-to-two-kilometre footpath leads there from the car park at Skovlegepladsen near Kratvej 2. There is also an approximately one-to-two-kilometre walk from the Lystrup Skov (Lystrupvej) bus stop, which is served by bus route 337. Booking and facility details, as well as access information, may change; check them before planning your visit.
Southeast of Slangerup, nearby Buresø is situated in a tunnel valley. There are marked trails, a bathing area with a bathing jetty, fire pits and sites for primitive overnight stays. Buresø and its surroundings are part of the nature park between Farum and Slangerup. The different nature destinations therefore offer different highlights: Kirkeengen is defined by its protected habitat, while Buresø offers trails and a bathing area, and Lystrup Skov combines woodland with a technically challenging mountain bike trail.
Discover more destinations: Vellerup, Hillerød, Melby, Over Dråby, Jægerspris, Udsholt, Landerslev, Albertslund Municipality.
See the wider travel overview: Hovedstaden.
