Gribskov Municipality: Forest, Trails and Culture

The eastern boundary of Gribskov runs along the western shore of Esrum Lake, which is designated as an EU habitat area. Marked trails, a distinctive waterscape and historic cultural sites give your trip to Gribskov Municipality a variety of highlights.

Forest Trails, Cycling Routes and Bridleways

There are six signposted hiking trails in Gribskov, including short and long routes. One longer route with historical significance is the 77-kilometre Tisvilde Trail. This nature and cultural history trail follows a medieval pilgrimage route for much of its length, from Esrum Monastery to St Helen’s Spring in Tisvilde. The Gribskov–Esrum hiking route has fire pits, an overnight stay area and a toilet.

The cycling routes are also easy to distinguish by their length and endpoints. Regional Route 32 consists of Tisvildestien and Pøleåstien and covers a total of 28 kilometres from Hillerød, through the western part of Gribskov, to Tisvildeleje. Gillelejestien, also known as Route 33, is a signposted 27-kilometre cycling route: it starts at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød and ends at Gilleleje station. The Parforce Cycling Route 105 also starts at Frederiksborg Castle and follows historic hunting trails deep into Gribskov.

There are 40 kilometres of signposted trails for horse riders, along with four fenced areas where horses can rest. The Parforce bridleway is about 16 kilometres long and follows old hunting and riding trails through the southern part of the forest. Among the routes described, you will find hiking and cycling trails of different lengths, as well as dedicated routes for horse riding.

Lakes and Restored Wetlands

Store Gribsø is a rare humic lake type in Denmark. Humic substances from water draining from bogs turn the water brown. Wetlands also shape the landscape: more than 30 areas have been restored in Gribskov so far, including bogs, ponds and artificial lakes associated with the Pøle Å.

Another way to explore the history of the landscape is to visit the Parforce Hunting Landscape in North Zealand. It comprises 120 kilometres of hunting trails and about 4,500 hectares of land, and was designated a protected cultural heritage site by UNESCO in 2015. The Parforce bridleway and Parforce Cycling Route 105 also offer practical ways to experience historic hunting trails on horseback or by bike.

Monastery Garden, Museums and Culture

Esrum Monastery & Mill Farm is a vibrant cultural site that recalls the monastery’s medieval history as a place of faith, doubt, knowledge and influence, as well as its close connection with nature. The monastery garden contains more than 150 plant species from medieval medicinal herb, spice and vegetable gardens. It is open around the clock and can be visited at any time. Esrum Monastery also offers a bookable guided tour of the garden, “A Taste of the Monastery Garden.” In the monastery cellar, visitors can hear about the many lives that have left their mark on the monastery’s history and architecture; the building spans 900 years of Danish history.

Munkeruphus is a contemporary art exhibition venue in a listed building by the sea. In the adjoining Munkerup Park, an art and nature lab provides a space for children and young people to explore and learn. Gilleleje Museum is spread across four buildings, each with its own exhibitions. The exhibits explore the occupation and holiday and fishing life; the escape of Danish Jews to Sweden in 1943 is presented through eyewitness accounts and historical sources.

Historic Trails and Buildings

Nakkehoved Lighthouse consists of two lighthouses: the taller Vestre Fyr and the smaller Østre Fyr. A lighthouse museum is housed in the former lighthouse keeper’s residence at Vestre Fyr. From Gilleleje Harbour, an approximately 1.5-kilometre walk along Fyrstien and the coast leads there. The history of Søborg Castle dates back to the 12th century: Archbishop Eskil had the enclosed fortress built with a curtain wall and moat. In the Middle Ages, the castle was one of the largest and most heavily fortified in Denmark.

Planning Your Journey

The Gribskov and Hornbæk railways run through Gribskov: one connection runs between Hillerød and Helsingør via Gilleleje, and the other between Hillerød and Tisvildeleje. Bicycles travel free of charge, and five bus routes also run through Gribskov. Check the latest transport information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Albertslund, Frederikssund, Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality, Helsingør, Hørsholm Municipality, Tårnby Municipality, Herlev Municipality, Allerød Municipality.

For the main travel overview: Capital Region of Denmark.