Copenhagen: The Forest Tower & Forgotten Giants Trolls Trip

Leave Copenhagen behind for half a day. This trip pairs the striking Forest Tower with two oversized outdoor sculptures, giving you both quiet woodland and a quirky slice of Danish art. I like the easy ride from central Copenhagen, with air conditioning, WiFi, and bottled water, and I like the guide-led visits to Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis.

The main catch is simple: the Forest Tower admission ticket is extra, and lunch is not included. At $135 per person, the tour is paying mainly for transport, a live English-speaking guide, and the convenience of linking several far-flung sights in one outing.

The trip earns a strong 4.7 rating from 76 reviews, with especially warm praise for punctual drivers, comfortable transport, clear explanations, and the peaceful setting outside the city. Just keep your expectations straight: this is partly a guided excursion and partly a well-organized ride to places you would find awkward to connect by public transport.

Key details before you book

• The Forest Tower rises through 12 walking circles, leading you gradually toward its central lookout.
• You can touch three beech trees inside the tower, where the hourglass-shaped structure narrows around them.
• The top platform sits 140 meters above sea level, with views toward Copenhagen and Malmö on a clear day.
• Two of the Forgotten Giants appear after the tower, including Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis.
• The minibus leaves from two minutes behind Copenhagen Central Station, making the morning meeting point easy to reach.
• You should budget separately for admission and food, since neither is part of the $135 tour price.

Why this makes a good break from Copenhagen

Copenhagen is easy to enjoy on foot, but Denmark makes more sense when you get beyond the capital’s streets. This half-day trip takes you into the Zealand countryside, where the pace changes from bike lanes and harbor fronts to beech trees, open fields, and simple rural roads.

I like the contrast. The Forest Tower is not an old castle or a grand church. It is a modern wooden structure built around the trees, and its appeal comes from the way architecture and nature share the same space. Later, the giant troll sculptures add a playful change of mood. You get a serious piece of contemporary design followed by enormous wooden creatures hiding in ordinary suburban surroundings.

The five-hour length also works well in a busy Copenhagen schedule. You still have time for a museum, canal tour, or dinner in the city. The tradeoff is that the trip gives you a taste of each place rather than a full day at any one of them.

Starting behind Copenhagen Central Station

The meeting point is the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, just two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station. That location is useful if you are staying near the station or arriving by train, though one person found a note on the office door saying it was closed and felt uneasy until the guide arrived on time.

I would arrive a little early and make sure you are at the specified address, not simply somewhere inside the station. The guide and minibus are the important markers. The tour includes an air-conditioned minibus, WiFi, bottled water, and a host, driver, and guide.

The ride to the Forest Tower takes about an hour. This is not wasted time. You leave the city and watch the surroundings change, while the guide can explain the places ahead and answer questions. Several people praised the smooth drive and the guide’s local tips about Copenhagen.

The transport is one of the tour’s strongest points. It is not a luxury coach journey, but the minibus is described as comfortable, cool, and reliable. WiFi is a useful extra, especially if you need to check plans for later in the day.

Walking toward the Forest Tower

You have about two hours at the Forest Tower stop, including the walk through the surrounding woodland and time at the tower itself. The forest path is part of the experience, not just a route from the parking area to the attraction.

As you walk, the wooden tower gradually comes into view. The structure rises in a broad hourglass shape, with a walkway winding upward in 12 circles. That design matters because you gain height at a steady pace rather than climbing a tight, conventional staircase.

I like the way this slows you down. Each turn gives you a slightly different view of the beech trees and the timber framework. You are not simply racing to a lookout. The route lets you notice how the tower changes as it rises, from a broad base to a tighter center.

The walk is described as accessible, but the tour information does not give exact details about slopes, stairs, or wheelchair access. If mobility is a concern, ask the operator before booking. The two-hour stop gives you time to walk at a comfortable pace, though the group does need to keep to the schedule.

Inside the 12 circles

The Forest Tower’s most memorable feature is the walkway itself. You follow 12 circles toward the top, with the structure framing the woods on every turn.

At the center, the hourglass form tightens around three living beech trees. You can touch them from the walkway, a small detail that makes the tower feel less like an object placed in the forest and more like a structure designed around the trees already there.

That is the point of this stop. The tower is impressive in photographs, but the visit works best when you pay attention to the relationship between the timber, the changing height, and the forest. Architecture lovers will enjoy the clean lines and unusual shape. Nature lovers get a slow walk among the trees rather than a viewing platform reached by elevator.

You should buy your entry ticket before the trip if possible. The tour price does not include it, and this is the detail most likely to surprise people. One couple reported paying about another £40 for two adults, though the exact ticket price can change. Treat that figure as a past example, not a guaranteed current rate.

The 140-meter view

At the top, you step onto a viewing platform 140 meters above sea level. The sightline reaches over forest and fields, and on a clear day you can see toward Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away.

Weather will make a real difference. On a bright day, the broad view is the reward for the walk. On a gray or misty day, the tower still gives you an unusual look at the surrounding woodland, but the long-distance view may not appear.

Several people described the view as breathtaking or spectacular, while also praising the calm setting around the tower. That combination is important. The attraction is not only about seeing far across Zealand. It is also about standing above a quiet forest rather than in the middle of city noise.

You get enough time to enjoy the tower without feeling hurried. The two-hour stop may also leave room for the nearby food and coffee facilities. A café, reasonably priced food, coffee huts, a gift shop, cabins, and a film area about how the tower was built have all been noted at the venue. Lunch is not included, so you can either buy food there or bring something with you. One guide allowed passengers to bring lunch onto the bus and eat it, but do not assume every departure handles meals in exactly the same way.

A short break at Skovtårnsvej 1

After the Forest Tower, the schedule allows a 20-minute break at Skovtårnsvej 1. This is a practical pause after the walk.

You can use it for coffee, food, the restroom, or a last look around the site before getting back into the minibus. Twenty minutes is useful but not generous, so I would not plan a full meal here. If you want to browse the gift shop or watch the construction film, save part of your main Forest Tower visit for that.

The stop also helps divide the day. The first half centers on a substantial woodland walk. The second half becomes a moving art tour through the outskirts of Copenhagen.

Meeting Hill Top Trine

The ride to Hill Top Trine takes about 45 minutes. You then have around 15 minutes to see the sculpture.

Hill Top Trine is one of the Forgotten Giants, a series of large troll sculptures placed in less expected parts of the region. The charm comes from the setting. These are not polished statues in a formal city square. They are found around the suburbs and open spaces, making the search feel more like a local treasure hunt than a standard sightseeing stop.

Fifteen minutes is enough to see the sculpture, take photographs, and hear the guide explain the idea behind the giants. It is not enough for an extended walk or a long independent exploration. That short stop is one reason the guide matters. Without context, you might simply see a huge wooden figure and move on. With an explanation, the sculptures become part of a wider Danish art project and a playful way to bring people into less familiar places.

The guide may also share background about the trolls and the area. The exact amount of commentary depends on the departure and the person leading it, but English is the tour language.

Finding Sleeping Louis

A 15-minute ride follows, then you visit Sleeping Louis, another of the Forgotten Giants. The stop lasts about 15 minutes and includes a guided visit.

The contrast with the Forest Tower is what makes the combination work. The tower is controlled, geometric, and carefully integrated with its trees. Sleeping Louis is humorous and oversized, with the odd pleasure of finding public art where you might not expect it.

The two troll stops are especially useful if you do not have a car. Reaching separate sculptures outside central Copenhagen would take planning, and the locations are not naturally linked by an ordinary city sightseeing route. The minibus turns them into a simple add-on after the tower.

Photography is a major part of these stops. You have enough time for good pictures, but not endless wandering. Keep your camera ready, listen to the guide first, and then use the remaining minutes for your own look around.

How the guide shapes the day

This trip is only as good as the person behind the wheel and the microphone. Fortunately, the guide is repeatedly praised for being friendly, punctual, funny, and well informed about the tower, Copenhagen, and the trolls.

One guide named Vinod was singled out for giving useful information throughout the journey, explaining the Forest Tower clearly, and allowing time for lunch. Another guide upgraded a passenger to a different tour at no extra cost when the original departure did not have enough people. Those details suggest a small operator that can be flexible when plans change, though no tour can promise a particular guide or an upgrade.

The best part of the guiding is not nonstop talking. It is having someone explain what you are seeing, keep the day moving, and answer questions between stops. One less enthusiastic assessment felt the experience was mostly transportation rather than a fully guided tour. That is fair. At the Forest Tower and trolls, you have time to explore on your own. If you want a long lecture at every site, this is not that kind of tour.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap outing, especially once you add the Forest Tower ticket and any food. The value depends on what you would otherwise need to arrange.

You are paying for a five-hour round trip from central Copenhagen, a comfortable air-conditioned minibus, WiFi, water, an English-speaking guide, the Forest Tower, and two troll sculptures. You avoid figuring out separate transport to Zealand, finding the tower, and locating the sculptures afterward.

If you already have a rental car, the value is weaker. You could visit the Forest Tower on your own and choose how long to stay. If you are relying on public transport, the tour becomes more appealing because it joins several out-of-town sights in one half-day.

I would compare the total cost, not just the advertised price. Add the admission ticket and lunch if needed. The package makes the most sense for couples, solo visitors, and small groups who value convenience and commentary more than the lowest possible price.

Who should book this trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a break from Copenhagen’s center and enjoy unusual design, woodland walks, and playful public art. It suits people who like seeing a different side of a destination without committing to a full day in the countryside.

Families may enjoy the trolls, while architecture fans will get the most from the tower’s structure and tree-filled center. It also suits visitors with limited time, since the central meeting point and five-hour schedule keep the outing manageable.

You may want to skip it if you dislike paying extra for the main attraction, prefer long independent visits, or already plan to drive around Zealand. The Forest Tower ticket should be part of your budget from the start, not an afterthought.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Should you book the Forest Tower and trolls trip?

Book it if convenience is your priority. The peaceful forest, unusual tower, far-reaching view, and two giant trolls create a varied half-day that feels very different from central Copenhagen.

The strongest reasons to go are the comfortable transport, punctual service, friendly guiding, and the chance to see the Forgotten Giants without arranging separate rides. The main warning is price: $135 does not include tower admission or lunch, and the guided element is lighter at some stops than the cost may suggest.

For a first visit to Copenhagen, I would choose this when you have already seen the main city sights and want something unusual. Buy the Forest Tower ticket ahead of time, bring food or money for the café, and check the weather before you go. A clear day gives you the best chance of seeing Copenhagen and Malmö from the top.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts five hours, including transportation, the Forest Tower visit, the two troll stops, and the return to Copenhagen.

Where does the tour begin?

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

What transport is provided?

Transport is provided by an air-conditioned minibus. WiFi and bottled water are included.

Is the Forest Tower entrance ticket included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Food and coffee are available at the Forest Tower venue, and the tour information also indicates that you may bring lunch.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English, and English is the listed tour language.

How high is the Forest Tower viewing platform?

The viewing platform is 140 meters above sea level.

Which Forgotten Giants are visited?

The scheduled visits include Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis, two of the six Forgotten Giants.

Can you see Copenhagen and Malmö from the tower?

On a clear day, the view can extend to Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away.

Can you cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Can you reserve now and pay later?

Yes. The booking option allows you to reserve your place and pay later.