Walking the Fairytale Castles of Denmark

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*This map is only for general reference and you should never use it for navigational purposes.

Day 1: Arrive in Copenhagen

If you arrive early enough, you can explore this magnificent city and its architectural and cultural highlights, including the castles of Rosenborg, Christiansborg and Amalienborg, the museum quarter, City Hall, the pretty harbourside houses of Nyhavn and the Little Mermaid! We recommend extra nights in Copenhagen so you have enough time to explore this beautiful city.

• Accommodation: Copenhagen Strand or similar

Day 2: Klampenborg – Lyngby/Gentofte | 15km

You begin the day by taking a short (20min) train journey to Klampenborg, in Copenhagen’s green northern suburbs. The first part of your walk takes you through Dyrehaven (the royal deer park). The park was established by King Frederik III in 1670 and is home to the Ermitageslottet (royal hunting lodge) as well as the world’s oldest amusement park, Bakken. The park is home to many grazing deer – keep an eye out for them as you stroll along the pleasant walking paths. As you exit the park via the northern gate, turn westward to follow the course of the Mølleåen River, passing many historic water mills and dams. Walk along quiet forest and lakeside paths in the Mølleå valley. Your walk ends in Lyngby, where you take the train to Gentofte (~5min).

• Walking for the day: 15km, 4-5h, ↑120m ↓110m
• Accommodation: Gentofte Hotel or similar

Day 3: Lyngby – Holte | 20km

Today’s walk is a lovely scenic route around Denmark’s deepest lake, Furesøen. Take the train back to Lyngby. Follow a path along the Mølleåen River, the northern shore of Lyngby Sø (lake), and then the forest paths to Frederiksdal, on the south-eastern shore of Lake Furesø. It is also possible to shorten today’s walking route by taking a boat trip from Lyngby to Lake Furesø for the first section. Information about times and prices is available here.

As you reach Furesøen, you follow a path through the forests of Frederiksdal Skov and Nørreskoven, which runs right along the southern and western shores of the lake. After about 5.5km you come to the human-made beach of Furesøbad, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim. There is also a restaurant and ice-cream kiosk. From here, you turn back in a north-eastern direction. You follow a path high above Furesøen’s northern shore, with wonderful views over the lake. You briefly turn inland for a surprisingly rural stretch among cornfields, before the last section through the Vaserne wetlands, with excellent birdwatching opportunities.

• Walking for the day: 20km, 5-6h, ↑115m ↓100m
• Accommodation: Comwell Hotel Holte or similar

Day 4: Holte/Allerød – Hillerød | 21km/12km

There are two options for today’s walk.

The longer option begins by following the Rudersdal Route through tranquil woodland to the shore of lake Sjælsø. You will find a quiet little beach and bathing area as you walk along the southern shore of the lake, followed by the charming, thatched Hunter’s Cottage restaurant (Jægerhytten). A short section of wooden boardwalk takes you through the marshlands on the western side of the lake. You then follow quiet country roads to the forest of Tokkekøb Hegn. Here you find the Stone Age Kongedysse Dolmen, enclosed by 51 rocks. The last section of your walk takes you through another royal hunting park, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Store Dyrehave. Finally, you arrive at the central square in the town of Hillerød. We recommend rewarding yourself with a well-earned drink or early dinner while enjoying the view across the lake to the magnificent Frederiksborg Castle.

If you prefer a shorter walk today, you can begin by taking a short bus trip from just outside your hotel to the nearby village of Allerød. From here, you follow quiet forest paths northwards through Tokkekøb Hegn, joining the longer route at the Kongedysse Dolmen mentioned above.

• Walking for the day: longer option – 21km, 5h, ↑146m ↓160m; shorter option – 12km, 3h, ↑78m ↓92m
• Accommodation: Best Western Hotel Hillerød or similar

Day 5: Hillerød – Fredensborg | 20km/12km

Again, you have longer and shorter options for today’s walk. Both routes start by walking right through the courtyard and grounds of Frederiksborg Castle. Take your time to explore the stunning baroque gardens before continuing. The castle is home to the Museum of National History and an impressive art collection (ticket needed for entry). As you leave the castle grounds, you can take the short woodland route to Fredensborg or the longer route that takes you via the southern shore of Lake Esrum and the Stenholt bird reserve.

• Walking for the day: longer option – 20km, 5h, ↑152m ↓148m; shorter option – 12km, 3h, ↑102m ↓90m
• Accommodation: Fredensborg Store Kro or similar

Day 6: Fredensborg – Elsinore (Helsingør) | 25km

After breakfast, a short stroll takes you from your hotel to the royal palace grounds. Fredensborg Palace is home to the Danish Crown Prince and his family. It is open for public tours during the summer months. The royal gardens stretch down to the shore of Lake Esrum and are dotted with numerous obelisks and statues, including a circular formation of life-sized statues of Norwegian and Faroese folk characters. A short roadside stretch takes you out of Fredensborg to the woodlands of Danstrup Hegn. From here, you follow tranquil forest paths to Zealand’s north coast, where you find yourself suddenly looking across the narrow strait to Sweden. You finally turn south-eastwards on a ridgetop forest path with wonderful views over the sea before descending to follow a path along the beach and marina of Elsinore to Kronborg Castle. This Renaissance masterpiece is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is best known as the Elsinore Castle of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You will stay at a hotel in the town centre, just a short distance from the castle.

Today’s route can be shortened to 13km by taking a train at the beginning of the walk from Fredensborg to Mørdrup station or walking the first half to Mørdrup and taking the train from there to Elsinore.

• Walking for the day: 25km, 6h, ↑169m ↓199m (shorter option by taking a train: 13km)
• Accommodation: Hotel Hamlet or similar

Day 7: Departure

Your walking holiday in North Zealand comes to an end after breakfast. You can catch a direct train to Copenhagen city or airport from Helsingør station.