Copenhagen: The Forest Tower & Forgotten Giants Trolls Trip

The best part of this five-hour trip is the sharp change of scene. In about an hour, you leave Copenhagen behind for Forest Tower, an hourglass-shaped wooden structure rising among beech trees and open fields. Then the minibus takes you to two of Thomas Dambo’s giant trolls, turning a simple country outing into something far more unusual.

I like the easy meeting point near Copenhagen Central Station, and I like the comfortable minibus with WiFi, air conditioning, and bottled water. The guides also add real value. Vinod, named in one detailed account, was praised for his local explanations, good humor, and practical help. The main drawback is clear: the Forest Tower admission ticket is not included, so the $135 price is not the final cost.

Key points at a glance

• Climb 12 wooden circles: Walk gradually upward instead of tackling steep stairs, with changing views of the forest around you.
• Touch three beech trees: The tower’s tightly joined center lets you reach the trees growing inside its hourglass form.
• See across Zealand: From the platform, you may see Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away, on a clear day.
• Visit two giant trolls: Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis offer a playful second act away from the usual Copenhagen sights.
• Ride in comfort: The air-conditioned minibus includes WiFi and bottled water, with a guide speaking English.
• Plan for an extra ticket: Transport and guiding are included, but Forest Tower entry and lunch are separate.

Why this makes a good Copenhagen side trip

Copenhagen is easy to love, but its center can fill your day with streets, canals, museums, and bicycles. This trip gives you five hours in a very different part of Zealand. You get woodland, fields, fresh air, a bold piece of architecture, and two oversized wooden figures tucked into suburban surroundings.

I especially like the mix of serious design and playful art. Forest Tower is not just a lookout with a view. Its broad wooden path curves upward in 12 circles, making the climb feel measured and calm. The trolls, by contrast, are whimsical and slightly odd. Together, the stops give you more variety than a standard sightseeing transfer.

The tour also removes the main nuisance of arranging this outing independently. You meet near the central station, board a minibus, and let someone else handle the drive. That matters because the Forest Tower is outside Copenhagen, and the two troll stops are spread across the return route.

Still, keep your expectations straight. This is not a long, lecture-filled guided walk at every stop. Much of your time at Forest Tower is free for walking and views, while the guide provides explanations along the way. One person felt the price leaned heavily toward transportation, and that is a fair point to consider.

Starting behind Copenhagen Central Station

The meeting point is the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, about two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station. This is a useful location if you are staying in the center or arriving by train. One practical note: an office sign may appear closed before departure, so do not panic if the guide has not arrived yet. A guide was reported to arrive on time despite that concern.

The ride to Forest Tower takes about one hour. That is long enough to make the included WiFi useful, though you may prefer to watch Zealand pass by the windows. The road takes you away from the city toward quieter country scenery, and the drive itself helps mark the change from urban Copenhagen to rural Zealand.

The minibus is air-conditioned and provides bottled water. Several details make this more comfortable than piecing together separate public transport connections: you have a reserved seat, you can ask the guide questions, and you do not need to navigate unfamiliar transfers. The vehicle is still a minibus, not a luxury coach, but the practical comforts are well chosen.

The English-speaking host, driver, and guide is central to the experience. The strongest praise goes to friendly, witty guides who explained the tower, the area, and the trolls without letting the schedule feel rushed. If your guide has the same style, the drive becomes part of the tour rather than dead time.

Walking through Forest Tower’s 12 circles

You have about two hours at Forest Tower. That is a sensible amount of time for the walk, the viewing platform, and a little time around the site. You are not dropped off for a quick photograph and hurried back to the bus.

The walk begins through the forest. Wooden walkways lead toward the tower, and the approach is part of the appeal. You get time to notice the trees and the quiet before the structure comes into view. The setting is peaceful, and several people found this change from the city one of the most rewarding parts of the outing.

The tower’s design gives the visit its character. Instead of a narrow staircase, you follow 12 broad circles that rise gradually toward the center. As you move higher, the relationship between the wooden structure and the forest keeps changing. You see the trees from different levels, and the path itself becomes a lesson in how the building works.

At the center, the hourglass shape narrows tightly around three beech trees. You can reach out and touch them, an unusual detail that makes the tower feel connected to its setting rather than simply placed on top of it. This is the moment to slow down. The shape is most impressive when you look upward and notice how the timber lines draw together.

The tower is a good fit for people who like architecture but do not want to spend the day in a gallery. You can study the curves, joints, and open structure while still enjoying the forest. Nature lovers get a pleasant walk, while design-minded visitors get a building with a clear idea behind it.

The platform at 140 meters above sea level

At the top, you step onto a viewing platform 140 meters above sea level. The view opens over woodland and fields, with the city far beyond. On a clear day, you can see toward Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away.

Weather matters here. A bright, clear day can make the long-distance view the star of the visit. In hazier conditions, the tower is still worthwhile for its structure and nearby scenery, but you should not count on seeing both cities. The information provided does not promise a clear view, so treat Copenhagen and Malmö as a bonus rather than the main guarantee.

The platform is also the payoff for the gradual climb. You are not simply looking at the tower from below. You experience the full curve of the walk, the tightening center, and then the wide view at the top. That progression gives the stop more impact than a normal lookout reached by lift.

You will have time to take photographs, look across the fields, and enjoy the site at your own pace. Food and coffee are available at the venue, and one account noted reasonably priced options. You can also find a gift shop, coffee huts, and a film area explaining how the tower was made. These extras are useful if you finish the walk before the minibus departure.

Lunch is not included. You can bring food with you, and one guide allowed passengers to eat lunch on the bus. That is helpful, but I would still plan ahead rather than assume the café will suit your schedule or appetite.

A short stop at Skovtårnsvej 1

After Forest Tower, the schedule allows a 20-minute break at Skovtårnsvej 1. This is a practical pause after the walk. You may use it for food, coffee, or a final look around the site before returning to the minibus.

The break is not a second major attraction, so do not expect another guided visit. Its value is simple: it gives you breathing room before the troll stops. On a five-hour outing, small pauses help keep the pace comfortable.

Meeting Hill Top Trine

The first troll stop is Hill Top Trine, reached after about 45 minutes by bus and visited for roughly 15 minutes. The short visit means you should be ready to get out, see the figure, take photographs, and listen to the guide’s explanation.

These troll sculptures are part of an outdoor art project placed in ordinary areas rather than behind museum walls. That setting changes the mood. You are not looking at a polished monument in a formal square. You are searching out a large wooden character in a more everyday corner of Zealand.

The guide helps make the stop worthwhile. Without someone handling the route, finding the forgotten giants could be difficult, especially when you are trying to fit them into a half-day outside Copenhagen. The explanation also adds context to what might otherwise be a quick photo stop.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a focused visit, but it is not a long free period. If you enjoy taking many photographs or examining the carving closely, you may wish you had more time. The tradeoff is that the tour can include a second troll without becoming a full-day excursion.

Finding Sleeping Louis among the suburbs

A further 15-minute ride brings you to Sleeping Louis, one of the six forgotten giants. The stop lasts about 15 minutes and includes a guided visit. Like Hill Top Trine, Sleeping Louis is appealing because the setting feels unexpected. You are seeing large-scale outdoor art in and around ordinary communities, not following the usual Copenhagen sightseeing route.

The giant troll theme gives the return journey a lighter feel after the more architectural Forest Tower. Children are likely to enjoy the scale and story, while adults may appreciate the way the project sends you into places you would not normally visit. The stops also provide a different view of Zealand, one that is less about famous monuments and more about local spaces and creative public art.

Again, the time is brief. Keep your camera ready and listen while the guide explains the figure. The best reason to choose this tour over a Forest Tower transfer alone is precisely these two stops. One person noted that the tour made it possible to see the trolls, which would have been difficult without organized transport.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price covers round-trip minibus transportation, an English-speaking host and driver, WiFi, and bottled water. It also buys you a five-hour schedule that combines three separate sightseeing elements.

The missing Forest Tower ticket is the main value issue. You must pay for admission separately, and the extra amount can be significant, especially for two adults. Check the current ticket price before booking so you know the true total. Lunch is also separate.

I see the value most clearly if you do not have a car and want both the tower and the trolls in one outing. Organizing the same combination yourself would mean working out transport to the tower, then reaching two additional locations on the way back. The tour saves you that planning and gives you a guide for the art stops.

The value is weaker if you only want Forest Tower. In that case, compare the total cost with other ways to reach it, especially if you are comfortable arranging transport independently. The guide is helpful, but most of your tower visit is self-paced rather than a continuous guided tour.

Who will enjoy this outing most?

I would recommend it to you if you want a break from central Copenhagen and like combining scenery with unusual design. It works well for architecture fans, nature lovers, photographers, families, and anyone who has already seen the major city sights.

The tour also suits people who prefer a clear half-day plan. You meet near the station, ride in a comfortable vehicle, walk at the tower, visit two trolls, and return to the same central area. Guides have been praised for being punctual, friendly, informative, and good at keeping the schedule without making the day feel rushed.

You should think twice if you dislike walking or want a long, slow visit at each location. The Forest Tower section lasts two hours, but the troll stops are only 15 minutes apiece. You should also budget for the separate tower entrance and your own lunch.

Weather is another consideration. The forest walk remains attractive in less-than-perfect conditions, but the wide views depend on visibility. A clear day gives you the best chance of seeing Copenhagen and Malmö from the platform.

Practical details before you book

The tour runs for five hours, with departure times subject to availability. The outbound drive is about one hour. After the tower and 20-minute break, the return route includes about 45 minutes to Hill Top Trine, 15 minutes to Sleeping Louis, and roughly 25 minutes back to Copenhagen.

You receive bottled water on the bus, and WiFi is available onboard. The tour is conducted in English. A guide may share useful Copenhagen tips as well as information about Zealand, the tower, and the trolls.

Book your Forest Tower entrance separately in advance if possible. This avoids confusion at the site and makes the cost easier to calculate. Bring lunch or plan to buy food at the venue, but remember that your time there is shared between walking, views, and the scheduled break.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those options are useful if your Copenhagen plans are still shifting.

Should you book the Forest Tower and trolls tour?

Book it if you want an easy way to reach a striking piece of architecture, enjoy a peaceful forest walk, and add two playful art stops that are hard to fit into a normal city visit. The comfortable minibus, central meeting point, and strong guiding make the outing simple.

Skip it if the $135 price feels high once you add the Forest Tower ticket, or if you want a fully guided experience from start to finish. The best match is someone who values convenience, variety, and a little time outside the city. For that person, the tower’s curving climb and the surprise of Sleeping Louis and Hill Top Trine make this an unusual and worthwhile half-day.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Copenhagen?

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

How long does the experience last?

The full tour lasts five hours. The drive to Forest Tower takes about one hour, and the return journey includes the tower visit, a break, and two troll stops.

Is Forest Tower admission included?

No. The Forest Tower entrance ticket is not included in the tour price and must be purchased separately.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes transport in an air-conditioned minibus, WiFi onboard, bottled water, and an English-speaking host, driver, and guide.

Which trolls will I see?

The route visits Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis, two of the six forgotten giants.

Can I see Copenhagen and Malmö from Forest Tower?

On a clear day, the viewing platform may offer views as far as Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food and coffee are available at the Forest Tower venue, and you may also bring your own lunch.