Best of Northern Zealand (Standard)

Northern Zealand and the Danish capital, Copenhagen, offers a great variety of fun activities, magnificent views and historical attractions.

This tour is perfect for families as the daily stages are easy and short and the biking is as relaxed and safe as the views are beautiful. You will start and finish in Copenhagen – the bike capital of the world – and the options here are many. Visit the Royal Palace housing the Danish Queen, The Little Mermaid, the amusement park Tivoli and “Strøget”, which is one of the world’s longest pedestrian streets.
The tour takes you out of the capital, up by the coast and into the beauty of northern Zealand. You will pass unique attractions and have time to see important museums, visit ancient castles, go swimming from sandy beaches and even take a short trip to Sweden. On this family-friendly bike tour nothing is missing.

Welcome to the best of Northern Zealand.

• Wonderful Copenhagen: Capital and the best bike city in the world
• Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
• Rungstedlund - the house/museum of the famous Danish author Karen Blixen
• Helsingør and Kronborg (the castle from Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”)
• Danish Maritime Museum in Helsingør
• Visit to Sweden
• Esrum Abbey
• Hillerød with Frederiksborg Castle
• Fredensborg Castle

Day 1. Arrival in Copenhagen
Today you arrive at your central hotel in Copenhagen. After checking in, you have time to explore the wonderful Danish capital. Visit the Royal Palace, Amalienborg, housing the Danish Queen, have fun in the amusement park Tivoli or enjoy a tasteful lunch among the colourful houses in Nyhavn. You can also take a walk on the shopping street Strøget, visit the famous Round Tower, feel the atmosphere in the Freetown Christiania or take a boat ride on the small canals that goes by the Opera House, The Little Mermaid and the Parliament Building, Christiansborg and many other attractions. The options are many.

Overnight stay in the centre of Copenhagen.

Day 2. Copenhagen to Hørsholm (Approx. 36 km/23 miles)
Today your bike adventure begins and cycling through Copenhagen is a fantastic start to your tour. On your way to Hørsholm you’ll go by the beautiful coastline of Northern Zealand, and you will pass some of the famous sights such as Den Lille Havfrue (The Little Mermaid) and the popular beach Bellevue. You will also pass through Dyrehaven (”the deer park”), formerly used as hunting grounds by the Danish royalty, where you’ll be surrounded by century old trees and curious deer. You can make a refreshment stop at Bakken, which is the oldest amusement park in the world, before reaching your hotel in Hørsholm on the coast of Øresund.

Overnight stay in Hørsholm.

Day 3. Hørsholm to Helsingør (Approx. 20 km/12 miles)
Today you will be cycling along the coastline all day passing two of the finest museums in Denmark. In Rungsted you can visit Rungstedlund, the home of the Danish author Karen Blixen (world famous for “Out of Africa”), and in Humlebæk you can visit the Museum of Modern Art “Louisiana”, famous not only for its exhibitions, but as well for its beautiful architecture and location. You will end up in Helsingør, and after an easy day on the bike you might wish to spend the afternoon visiting the old borough with the impressive Kronborg Castle (the castle from Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”).

Overnight stay in Helsingør area.

Day 4 Roundtrip in Sweden (Approx. 40 km/25 miles)
Today you have the chance to visit some of the incredible attractions of Helsingør and the beautiful nature of Sweden. Cycle to Helsingør Harbour and take the ferry to Helsingborg (not included). From here you can take a round trip of approx. 35 km along the coast to beaches and small fishing villages and back through the Swedish forests and fields. If you have more time go visit the royal chambers and massive walls of the 16th-century castle, Kronborg, if you missed it yesterday. You can also go see the Danish Maritime Museum which exibitions cover Danish trade and shipping from the 15th century to the present day. The museum is listed among the “52 places to go in 2014” by New York Times.

Overnight stay in Helsingør area.

Day 5. Helsingør to Hillerød (Approx. 54 km/34 miles)
Today you can visit two of the most beautiful Danish castles; Fredensborg Palace and Frederiksborg Castle. You start the day along the coast to Hornbæk, a small fishing village with tempting places for ”time outs” and a sea bath. Next you go to the small village of Esrum with the historical abbey, which is definitely worth a visit. Hereafter you bike along one of the deepest lakes in Denmark towards Hillerød. You can visit the Queen’s spring- and autumn residence, Fredensborg Palace, if you extend the tour with approx. 10 km. Upon your arrival to Hillerød, you should go to Frederiksborg Castle with its perfect location at the lakeside. 

Overnight stay in the Hillerød area.

Day 6. Hillerød to Copenhagen. (Approx. 38 km/24 miles)
Heading south towards Copenhagen you pass idyllic sceneries, lovely forests and wetlands with a rich birdlife. You will be impressed by the rich nature in a densely populated area close to the capital. You will also be amazed at how easy it is to cycle from the green northern Zealand to the capital of Denmark. While the first 18 kilometres towards Farum are on winding paths and smaller roads, the last 20 kilometres are along the new supercykelsti (Cycle Superhighway), that brings all the commuting cyclists to Copenhagen. When you come to Nørrebro, which is one of the most colourful neighbourhoods in Copenhagen, you have to slow down and be aware of all the different cyclists heading towards the city.

Overnight stay in the centre of Copenhagen.

Day 7. Last day in Copenhagen 
Today is your last day in Copenhagen, so use your time wisely and explore the city wonders that you haven’t yet seen. Did you visit the historical buildings such as the Round Tower, Christiansborg and Amalienborg? And have you walked through the colourful Nyhavn and cultural Freetown Christiania? If not - now is your chance. Check out or use the possibility to extend your stay with a few additional days in Copenhagen. You can also join one of our other bike tours.

Degree of difficulty
The terrain is mostly flat with occasional small hills. It's a leisurely tour and is suited for families and cyclists in average physical condition. You ride along paved and unpaved bike paths and mostly minor roads. In Copenhagen you have plenty of bike lanes and the drivers are used to paying a lot of attention to cyclists. It is possible to download the route to a GPS or your smartphone.

Weather
Biking in Denmark is perfect from end of May until mid-September. You will enjoy comfortable weather and daylight from very early morning until late evening.

More about Denmark
Biking in Denmark is something special compared to other countries. First of all, you will enjoy how the attractive landscapes invite cyclists to easy and safe stages. Cyclists are given very high priority in Denmark. In the cities you will find cycle paths, and at the coastline, along the lakes, in the forests and through the green fields you will find peaceful lanes and paths specially designed for cyclists. In Denmark, you will meet picturesque villages, a countryside that varies all the time, well-preserved castles and manor houses, clean and sandy beaches, and you will enjoy the clear, fresh air.

You can rent a touring bike (unisex model) with adjustable stem and incl. Schwalbe Marathon Plus anti-puncture tyres. It is also possible to rent an E-bike with 7 internal gears, 8Fun hub motor in the front wheel and battery in the luggage carrier. The bike has 5 levels of power assist and a maximum speed of 25 km/h.

All bikes come with a waterproof saddle bag, bell, bottle holder and a lock. Always remember to lock your bike! It is also possible to rent a children’s bike, children’s seat, children’s tag-along, children’s Burley and helmets. Read more here about the bikes and cycling equipment.