Help Wikitravel grow by contributing to an article! Learn how.

Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park

From Wikitravel
Scandinavia : Denmark : Zealand : North Zealand : Kongernes Nordsjælland National Park
Revision as of 12:53, 20 August 2011 by ClausHansen (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

Kongernes Nordsjælland [1], or in English - the North Zealand of Kings, is a National park in the making in Nordsjælland, Denmark. The National Park status has yet to take full effect, due to disagreements on the parks boundaries, but the necessary law passed through parliament in 2008, and protection will be effective from sometime in 2010 or 2011.




A large portion of the national park is taken up by Gribskov, Denmark's 4th largest forest, covering some 5600 hectares (ca 14.000 acres), the landscape here is undulating with varied vegetation, but mostly pine, beech and some majestic old oak trees. The forest is bordered by Esrum Sø to the east, Denmark's 3rd largest lake by area, and largest by water volume, at the southern corner is a protected bay rich on birds, further east through an area of farms and fields lies the shallow, 2 km2 Gurre Sø surrounded by relatively untouched forest. South of Gribskov is the expansive deer garden Store Dyrehave where the star shaped trail system used for the royal Par force hunts still dominates. To the north you will find Tisvilde hegn Arresø

Flora and fauna





Get in



Get around


Since you're in Denmark, naturally another way of getting around would be on a Bike, from Hillerød two marked bicycle routes takes you towards the North Coast. Route 32 towards Helsinge and Tisvildeleje (Tisvilde Hegn) takes you along the western boundary of Gribskov, and route 33 takes you directly through Gribskov to Gilleleje. Besides those two bicycle routes there are ample of paths through the forests, and scenic thinly trafficked roads to take you throughout the park.


Royal remains



Natural Sights

  • Esrum Canal is a 9 km canal between Esrum Sø lake and the north coast at Dronningmølle, build in 1805 to transport timber from the forests to Copenhagen. The canal lost it's importance when the railway was build, and was subsequently abandoned. However, It's still visible in the landscape, and while partly overgrown, parts still carry water and many of the old installations related to the canal is still there. The trail where horses used to haul the prams along the canal, still exists, and offers a fantastic walk.
  • Fruebjerg. is a historic 65 meter hill-top in the middle of the forest, which towers (well at least for Denmark) above the surrounding area's and offers some nice views over Northern Zealand. The site was home of the massive fruebjergmødere gatherings at the turn of the 19th century, closely related to Grundtvigs folk high school movement. A tradition that has recently been revived. (55.97587,12.28176)
  • Troldeskoven is a special area of Tisvilde Hegn where 100-200 years old weather worn Scots Pines with twisted and crooked branches creates a peculiar atmosphere, which has prompted locals to dub the area the - enchanted or troll - forest. The phonemon is caused by strong winds and poor soil conditions.

Other attractions



  • Bærhaven, [5].
  • Fredensborg Golf Club, [7].






  • Stengården, [8].




  • Dronningholm (Arresø), (Shortly after you pass the castle ruins there i a small parking lot on the right, the grounds are 200 meters on the south side of the small lake), +45 47 72 30 01, [9]. A campground for up to 10 people near the Dronningholm castle ruins near Arresø lake (55.969937451,12.063482893)
  • Nordhuse (Arresø), (Follow Nordhusvej around 900 meters and turn left down a small unnamed road - look for a yellow marker - from the parking lot its 300 meters ahead.), +45 47 72 30 01, [10]. a small campground right by Arresø lake (55.989285406,12.081068185)
  • Hvidkilde (Gribskov), (From Kagerup station follow Hærvejen around 1 km east, and turn left on Hvidkildevej, it will be on your left after crossing the train tracks.), +45 32 50 00 17, [11]. a campground in an abandoned gravel pit, close to a small spring of the same name. (56.007119258,12.292821837)
  • Ornedvej (Gribskov), (From the bridge at Orned plantation where biking route 32 passes the Pøleåen stream, continue 300 meters to the east), +45 32 50 00 17. A small campground in a beech forest (55.986207425,12.265125108)
  • Nødebo Holt (Gribskov), (From Nødebo village down the Holtevej road to the lake), +45 32 50 00 17. Close to the southern end of Esrum sø (lake). Views over the bird reserve, bathing in the lake is possible, and there are tables, benches and a barbecue/campfire (55.970930207,12.359803945)
  • Endrup Hegn, (Follow Davidsvænge road to the forest, once there, follow the left path for around 400 meters, the site will be on your left), +45 48 48 21 00. Two shelters in a small forest area near a small village near Fredensborg. around 3 km from the castle, with room for 5 in each shelter (55.993160101,12.421039762)
  • Ravnebakken (Krogenberg Hegn), (Follow the Ravnebakkevej road to the old ranger house called Ravnebakkehus, and turn up the small path opposite). Shelter in the eastern part of the Krogenberg Hegn area, well protected from the wind, around 10 sleeping places. (56.014349899,12.509653533)
  • Edens Have (Hellebæk), (From the parking lot at Skindersøvej follow the gravel road around 150 meters). Really good shelter for up 20 people just around a km from the beach with electricity and toilet facilities, but it requires reservation. (56.068134540,12.528271693)

Stay safe

Get out




Destination Docents

In other languages