King's Trail of Northern Zealand (Superior)

Are you looking for an active holiday with overnight stays in superior rooms, in lovely hotels close to the beach? Then this is the tour for you! You’ll start by spending some time in Copenhagen - the bike capital of the world. Visit the Royal Palace housing the Danish Queen, have fun in the amusement park Tivoli, located in the midle of the city, and feel the freedom as you experience the city on your bike.

North of Copenhagen you will also find picturesque nature and one of the most exclusive residential areas in Denmark. You’ll have time to see the most important museums in Denmark and feel the breath of history when you explore old castles such as Kronborg Castle, Fredensborg Palace and Frederiksborg Castle - it’s like following in the footsteps of the old Danish kings. Welcome to the Kings’ Trail.

• Wonderful Copenhagen: The Danish 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 Castle (the castle from Shakespeare’s play 'Hamlet')
• Maritime Museum og Denmark in Helsingør
• Hillerød with Frederiksborg Castle
• Esrum Abbey
• Fredensborg Castle: the Queen's spring and autumn residence

Day 1
Arrival in Copenhagen.
After arriving at your hotel, you have time to explore the Danish capital. Visit colourful Nyhavn, the Royal Castle or the amusement park Tivoli.

Overnight stay in the centre of Copenhagen.

Day 2. Copenhagen to Hørsholm, 36 km/23 miles
Cycling through Copenhagen on your bike is a fantastic start to your tour. You will pass some of the famous sights such as The Little Mermaid and the popular beach 'Bellevue'. In Dyrehaven, formerly used as hunting grounds by the Danish royalty, you will be cycling on peaceful paths surrounded by century-old trees and curious deer. You can make a refreshment stop at Bakken', 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 US 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 (also known as 'The Karen Blixen Museum'), the home of the Danish author Karen Blixen, who is world famous for 'Out of Africa'. In Humlebæk you can visit the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, famous not only for its exhibitions, but 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.

Day 4. Helsingør to Gilleleje, 26 km/16 US miles
The route north out of Helsingør is unique with its views to the Swedish coast, only 4 kilometres away. The large ships sail close to the coast as you cycle towards Hornbæk. In Hornbæk you can find one of the best beaches in Denmark as well as a couple of excellent restaurants. After a good lunch you continue along the coast on narrow lanes passing a couple of lighthouses.
You arrive at Gilleleje - a lively fishing and yacht village and the northernmost town on Zealand. The village is also the most important harbour and holiday resort on the coast of northern Zealand. Here you will find a lovely beach and a nice harbour with great restaurants, and you will stay at the lovely Gilleleje Badehotel on the outskirts of the village. It is a very beautiful and classical Danish beach hotel overlooking the sea and the food is of very high standard.

Overnight stay in Gilleleje.

Day 5. Gilleleje to Hillerød, 30 km/19 US miles
Leaving your lovely, classic seaside hotel overlooking the sea, may prove a challenge, but today's stage is just as unique and beautiful. Follow the regional cycle route to the lovely medieval town of Esrum, which is mostly known for its abbey that dates back to the year 1151. Here you can immerse yourself in the place's history, taste the specialities in the mill café or enjoy the lively event programme. From here you continue along Gribskov Forest, one of the largest forests in Denmark, and by a peaceful path around Esrum Lake to your hotel in the Hillerød area. You can also go to Frederiksborg Castle and try a small ferry ride in the castle lake. Enjoy the summer evening on the square overlooking the lake and the castle.

Overnight stay in the Hillerød area.

Day 6. Hillerød to Copenhagen, 51 km/32 US 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. 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
Checkout from Copenhagen.
Check out or use the opportunity to extend your stay with a few additional days in Copenhagen. You can choose extra nights at your hotel or you can 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.

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 comfortable bicycles with adjustable bicycle handlebars, hydraulic brakes and large tires that ensure you a safer ride. Equipped with an ergonomically designed saddle, handles and pedals, you are ready for any kind of bike ride. It's also possible to rent an e-bike with 8 or 10 gears, a mid-drive motor/rear motor and puncture-proof tires.

All bikes come with a waterproof saddle cover, a bell, a bottle holder, a bicycle computer, a saddlebag and a lock. Always remember to lock your bike! In addition, it's also possible to rent a kids bicycle, a child seat, tag-a-long bicycles for children, Burley bike trailers and helmets.

The models may vary, it will be this type or similar:

Read more here about the bikes and cycling equipment.