Copenhagen: The Forest Tower & Forgotten Giants Trolls Trip

The best part of this outing is the Forest Tower itself, a graceful wooden hourglass rising among beech trees in Zealand. You follow a broad path through the woods, circle upward through the tower, and finish on a high viewing platform with fields and forest below. On a clear day, Copenhagen and Malmö are more than 50 kilometers away.

I like the easy escape from Copenhagen and the unusual pairing of quiet woodland with giant outdoor sculptures. I also like the practical minibus, with air conditioning, WiFi, bottled water, and a guide who fills the drive with local details. The main catch is simple: the Forest Tower admission is not included, so the $135 price is not the full cost of the outing.

Key points to know before you book

• The Forest Tower is the main event: You walk 12 circles upward and pass close to three beech trees growing through the center.
• Two trolls add a playful finish: Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis make this more than a single-attraction day.
• Central meeting point: The office at Colbjørnsensgade 15 is about two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station.
• Five hours door to door: The schedule gives you roughly two hours at the Forest Tower, followed by shorter troll visits.
• Bring money for admission and food: The tower ticket is separate, and lunch is not included.
• English is the tour language: Your host is also the driver and guide, with WiFi and bottled water on the bus.

Why the Forest Tower makes a good Copenhagen side trip

Copenhagen is easy to enjoy on foot, but Denmark becomes a different place once you leave the city. This tour takes you into Zealand’s quieter countryside without asking you to rent a car, study regional bus schedules, or arrange several connections.

The Forest Tower, known locally as Skovtårnet, is not a standard lookout with an elevator and a quick photo stop. Its route is part of the attraction. You walk along wooden paths through the forest, then begin the gradual climb through 12 circles. The shape opens and narrows as you rise, so your view changes with every turn.

I like that the walk is about the route as much as the top. The central structure is tightly woven around three beech trees, and at one point you can reach out and touch them. That small detail gives the tower a stronger sense of place than a viewing platform dropped into an empty field.

The setting also makes this a good choice for people who want fresh air and a little movement, but not a demanding hike. The approach through the woods is described as accessible, and the climb is gradual rather than a steep straight staircase. You should still expect a fair amount of walking and standing, especially if you pause for photographs.

The minibus ride from Colbjørnsensgade

The day begins at the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, just behind Copenhagen Central Station. That location is useful if you are staying in the center or arriving by train. One practical detail: the office may not look open before departure, so arrive at the stated meeting point and wait for the host rather than assuming you are in the wrong place.

The drive to the Forest Tower takes about an hour. The air-conditioned minibus has WiFi, and bottled water is provided. Those are small comforts, but they matter on a half-day trip with several road sections. The ride also gives your guide time to explain the area and point out things along the way.

The guide is both driver and host, so the quality of the commentary matters. The strongest part of this experience is the human touch: guides such as Vinod have been praised for explaining the tower, the trolls, and the surrounding area while keeping the group on time. You can expect an English-language tour with plenty of practical information, rather than a formal lecture.

One guide also offered useful Copenhagen tips during the drive. That is a nice bonus, particularly if this is one of your first days in the city. Still, keep your expectations in the right place. This is primarily a transport-and-sightseeing outing, not a long, specialist-led architectural tour.

Two hours among the trees at the Forest Tower

You have about two hours at the Forest Tower, which is a sensible amount of time. It allows for the walk from the visitor area, the climb, photographs from the top, and a little time to enjoy the site without being rushed.

The wooden approach leads you into the forest before the tower appears. That gradual reveal is part of the charm. Instead of seeing the entire structure from a car park, you encounter it as you walk through the trees.

Inside, the tower’s hourglass form creates a steady, gentle ascent. The 12 circular levels are wide enough to let you stop and look around, though the pace can depend on how busy the tower is and how often people pause for photos. You will want to take your time. The views do not arrive all at once.

At the center, three living beech trees rise through the structure. The close contact between timber, steel, and trees is the architectural detail I would pay attention to. It turns a simple climb into a walk through a working forest, not just up a tall building.

At the top, the viewing platform reaches 140 meters above sea level. The panorama takes in woodland and open fields, with Copenhagen and Malmö visible on a clear day. Weather matters here. Haze, cloud, or rain can reduce the long-distance view, but the forest setting still gives the visit value when the horizon is less dramatic.

The site also has coffee, reasonably priced food, places to sit, a gift shop, and a film area showing how the tower was built. Lunch is not part of the tour, but you can buy food there or bring your own. One useful detail is that a guide allowed passengers to eat their packed lunch on the bus, though you should confirm that arrangement with your own host.

The break at Skovtårnsvej 1

After your Forest Tower visit, the schedule allows a 20-minute break at Skovtårnsvej 1. This is a short pause, but it gives you time to use the facilities, buy coffee or food, and gather yourself before the troll stops.

Do not plan a full sit-down meal in this window. Twenty minutes is better suited to a quick snack, a drink, or a final look around the Forest Tower area. If you need lunch, bring something from Copenhagen or buy it before boarding.

The stop also helps the day feel less compressed. You have already spent two hours walking and looking upward, so a brief pause before more driving is welcome.

Meeting Hill Top Trine

The first troll stop is Hill Top Trine, reached after about 45 minutes on the road from the Forest Tower. You have roughly 15 minutes there, so this is a focused photo and viewing stop rather than a long walk.

The Forgotten Giants are a series of large wooden troll sculptures placed in outdoor settings around the Copenhagen area and Zealand. Their locations encourage you to leave the usual city route and see ordinary suburban or countryside spaces from a different angle.

Hill Top Trine gives the tour a lighter mood after the calm, architectural experience of the tower. Your guide explains the idea behind the trolls and helps you get oriented. With only 15 minutes, listen closely and take your photos promptly.

The short visit is also the main limitation. You will not have time to linger or explore far beyond the sculpture. That is not a flaw if you see it as a sampler, but it may disappoint you if the trolls are your primary reason for booking.

Sleeping Louis and the Forgotten Giants

The second troll stop is Sleeping Louis, one of the six Forgotten Giants. The minibus ride from Hill Top Trine takes about 15 minutes, followed by another 15-minute guided visit.

This sculpture stop feels different from the Forest Tower because it is less polished and more playful. The giant is placed in a real local setting rather than inside a conventional attraction. That contrast is exactly why the pairing works: one stop focuses on thoughtful design and nature, while the other turns an everyday area into a small adventure.

Your guide gives background on the trolls and points out details you might miss on your own. The sculptures are large, but the story behind their placement is just as important. They were created to send people out to parts of the region they might otherwise skip.

The final bus ride back to Colbjørnsensgade takes about 25 minutes. You return to central Copenhagen after roughly five hours, with the day divided between one substantial visit and two quick sculpture stops.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see the Forest Tower. The separate entrance ticket changes the calculation, and you should add that cost before comparing this tour with a self-guided outing.

You are paying for more than admission. The price includes round-trip transport from central Copenhagen, an air-conditioned minibus, WiFi, bottled water, and a host who drives, keeps the schedule, and explains the places you visit. For many people, that convenience is the real value. A direct ride is especially helpful when you want to fit the Forest Tower into a short Copenhagen stay.

The value is weaker if you only want the tower and are comfortable arranging your own transport. This tour spends close to two hours on the road in total and gives the trolls only 15 minutes each. If you dislike fixed schedules, the short sculpture stops may feel too brief.

I would see the price as reasonable for a visitor who wants three different sights in one half-day and does not want to handle the transport. It is less compelling for someone seeking a long guided walk, a full lunch stop, or detailed time at each troll.

Who will enjoy this five-hour outing?

I would recommend this trip to you if you like architecture, woodland walks, unusual public art, and simple logistics. It works well for couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who want to see more of Zealand without spending a full day away from Copenhagen.

It also suits people who enjoy a guide with personality. The strongest guides keep the journey relaxed, offer local advice, and explain what you are seeing without making every minute feel formal. The transport has received especially high marks, with 90 percent of ratings giving it a perfect score.

You should think twice if you want a quiet private outing. You will be sharing a minibus, following a set timetable, and visiting the trolls in short bursts. The Forest Tower itself provides the most time and depth, while the giants are an added sample of the wider art project.

Weather can shape the day. Clear skies give you the best chance of seeing Copenhagen and Malmö from the top, but the forest walk remains worthwhile in less perfect conditions. Wear shoes suitable for walking and bring a light layer. The tour information does not specify a dress code or special equipment, so ordinary outdoor clothing is the sensible choice.

Booking is flexible: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. Starting times vary, so check availability when choosing your date.

Should you book the Forest Tower and trolls trip?

Book it if you want an easy, well-organized break from Copenhagen with a memorable main attraction and two quirky extras. The Forest Tower is the reason to go, and the trolls make the return journey feel like part of the day rather than a simple ride back.

I would not book it solely for the giant sculptures, since each stop lasts about 15 minutes. I would also budget separately for the tower ticket and lunch. But if you value a comfortable minibus, a friendly English-speaking guide, and a chance to see Zealand beyond the city center, this is a strong half-day choice.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, 1652 Copenhagen, Denmark. It is about two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts five hours. The drive to the Forest Tower takes about one hour, and the visit there lasts around two hours.

Is the Forest Tower entrance ticket included?

No. The Forest Tower entrance ticket is separate from the tour price.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Does the minibus have WiFi and air conditioning?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned minibus with WiFi, and bottled water is supplied.

Which trolls will I visit?

The itinerary includes Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis, two of the Forgotten Giants. Each visit lasts about 15 minutes.