Copenhagen: The Forest Tower & Forgotten Giants Trolls Trip

Leave the city behind for a wooden tower in the woods. I like this experience for two clear reasons: the Forest Tower offers unusual architecture and broad Zealand views, while the two giant trolls add a playful local touch that is hard to arrange alone. The air-conditioned minibus, WiFi, and bottled water also make the trip simple.

The main catch is the Forest Tower admission is not included in the $135 price. I also see this as a transport-led excursion rather than a fully guided walking tour, so you should book it for easy access and a well-planned route, not for hours of in-depth guiding at every stop.

Key points before you book

• The Forest Tower rises 140 meters above sea level, with a 12-circle walk leading to its open viewing platform.
• The wooden tower is built around living beech trees, creating one of Denmark’s more unusual lookout experiences.
• You get about two hours at the Forest Tower, enough time for the woodland walk, tower climb, views, food, and a little browsing.
• Two Forgotten Giants are included on the return journey, Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis.
• Round-trip transport leaves from central Copenhagen, just two minutes from the main station.
• The $135 fare covers transport and the guide, but not tower admission or lunch, so add those costs before judging the value.

Why this makes a good half-day escape

Copenhagen is easy to explore on foot, but Denmark’s quieter side begins soon after you leave the capital. This five-hour outing takes you through the Zealand countryside to a forest setting where the main attraction is not an old church or royal palace, but a modern wooden structure surrounded by trees.

I like that change of pace. The Forest Tower feels more like an outdoor walk with an architectural centerpiece than a standard sightseeing stop. You get fresh air, a gentle climb, views over fields and forest, and time away from city streets without having to manage regional transport or work out the route yourself.

The second half adds a completely different mood. The Forgotten Giants are large wooden troll sculptures placed in outdoor settings around greater Copenhagen. Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis give the trip a light, storybook finish, and they are especially useful if you want unusual photographs rather than another formal museum visit.

The tour lasts five hours, including roughly one hour going out and 45 minutes returning from the tower area. That makes it a manageable choice for a free morning or afternoon. You still have time to enjoy Copenhagen on the same day.

Starting behind Copenhagen Central Station

The meeting point is the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, about two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station. That location is practical if you are staying near the center or arriving by train, and several details matter here.

Give yourself enough time to find the office rather than arriving at the last second. One person was briefly concerned after seeing a note saying the office was closed, although the guide arrived on time. The sensible approach is to wait at the stated meeting point and allow a few extra minutes for the group and minibus to assemble.

Once aboard, you can expect air conditioning, WiFi, and bottled water. Those are small comforts, but they matter on a five-hour trip. The bus ride takes about an hour each way in total, and the countryside views begin to replace Copenhagen’s buildings as you approach the forest.

I would not book this expecting a large coach with a restroom or lots of room to stretch. The experience uses a minibus, which keeps the group smaller and makes the outing feel more personal, but space is naturally more limited than on a full-size bus.

Walking through the forest to the tower

The Forest Tower stop lasts about two hours, though that time includes the approach walk, the climb, the viewing platform, and time around the visitor facilities. The path through the woods is part of the attraction, not just a way to reach the main structure.

You walk along wooden paths through changing woodland surroundings. The route gives you time to notice the trees and the quiet before the tower takes over your attention. If you prefer attractions that combine nature and design, this is the strongest part of the day.

The tower itself is an hourglass-shaped structure formed from wood. Its rising path curves in 12 circles, so you gain height gradually rather than tackling a steep conventional staircase. That design makes the climb feel measured and scenic, although you still need to be comfortable walking uphill for a sustained period.

At the center, the structure tightens around beech trees growing through the tower. You can touch three of them as the walkway passes close by. That detail gives the building its character: it does not simply sit in the forest, it frames the forest as you climb.

The experience is best taken slowly. Stop to look outward as the view changes, then continue upward. The tower is made for movement and sightlines, so rushing to the top would miss much of what makes it different from an ordinary observation deck.

The 140-meter view over Zealand

At the top, you step onto an open viewing platform 140 meters above sea level. The view stretches over woodland and fields, with the chance to see Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away, on a clear day.

Weather makes a major difference. On a bright day, the distant view is the reward for the climb. In cloudy or hazy conditions, the tower still provides an impressive perspective over the surrounding area, but you should not assume the Swedish coast or Copenhagen will always be visible.

The top is the emotional high point of the outing, but the walk down has value too. You see the tower from new angles and can pay more attention to its joinery and the trees at the center. The return path also leads you back through the forest, where the quiet setting may be as enjoyable as the platform itself.

Food is available at the venue, including coffee and reasonably priced options, according to one detailed account. Still, lunch is not included, and the stop is not built around a long meal. You can bring food with you, and the guide has allowed people to eat lunch on the bus. I would pack something simple if you want to control both time and cost.

The tower entrance must be purchased separately. This is the most important budget detail. Some people have paid around £40 for two adults, but the exact amount can change, so check the current admission price before booking the tour.

A short break at Skovtårnsvej 1

After the Forest Tower visit, the group has about 20 minutes at Skovtårnsvej 1. This is a useful pause after the woodland walk and climb.

You may use the time for coffee, food, or a quick look at the facilities. The area includes places to eat, coffee stops, a gift shop, and a film area showing how the tower was built. You can also see cabins in the area, though the information provided does not indicate that an overnight stay is part of this excursion.

Twenty minutes is enough for a short break, not a leisurely meal. If you want to eat here, move promptly. If you have already brought lunch, this is a good point to use the break without turning the stop into a rushed purchase.

Meeting Hill Top Trine

The first troll stop is Hill Top Trine, with about 15 minutes to see the sculpture. That is a short visit, but these giant wooden figures work best as photo stops and quick discoveries rather than long museum-style attractions.

Your guide provides context about the trolls and their place in the Forgotten Giants project. The sculptures are placed outdoors, including areas that can feel surprisingly ordinary or suburban. That contrast is part of the charm. You are not entering a fantasy park with elaborate sets. You are finding a huge carved figure in the real world.

The short timing means you should be ready to get off the bus, look around, take photographs, and listen to the explanation. If you enjoy slow walks or want to study every detail of the carving, this part may feel brief.

Finding Sleeping Louis in the suburbs

The next stop is Sleeping Louis, one of the six Forgotten Giants. You get another 15 minutes, including a guided introduction.

The sculpture gives the return journey a fresh purpose. Instead of simply driving back to Copenhagen after the tower, you stop at a piece of public art that many people would not find without local directions. The trolls also help connect the excursion to modern Danish creativity rather than treating the forest as an isolated attraction.

The time is again tight, so comfortable shoes and a ready camera help. You should also expect the mood to be informal. This is a quick outdoor encounter, not a long interpretive visit.

The tour then allows about 25 minutes by minibus back to Colbjørnsensgade 15. The route ends close to Copenhagen Central Station, which makes it easy to continue with dinner or an evening activity.

The guide can make or break the day

The guide is one of the tour’s strongest features. The best accounts describe a friendly, witty host who keeps the schedule without making the day feel hurried. The guide explains the Forest Tower, the surrounding area, Copenhagen, and the trolls, while also answering questions and offering tips for time in the city.

One guide identified as Vinod was praised for explaining the sights during the drive, looking after the group, and allowing lunch on the bus. Other accounts highlight punctuality, humor, and clear local information.

That said, you should keep your expectations realistic. The guide is also the driver, and the tour format leaves you to explore the Forest Tower independently after receiving an introduction. One person felt the price was high because the experience was mainly transportation rather than a deeply guided tour.

I think that is a fair distinction. If you want a guide beside you for every step of the tower walk, this may not satisfy you. If you value a smooth ride, useful background, and the freedom to explore the tower at your own speed, the arrangement works well.

Is $135 a fair price?

At $135 per person, this is not a cheap add-on. The price covers round-trip minibus transportation, air conditioning, WiFi, bottled water, and a host, driver, and English-speaking guide. It does not cover entry to the Forest Tower or lunch.

The value depends on what you compare it with. You are paying for more than a ride to one attraction because the outing also includes two troll sculptures and the convenience of a fixed route. You avoid arranging transport to the forest, finding the sculptures, and coordinating the return journey.

For two people, the separate tower admission can add a noticeable amount. Put that into your budget before deciding. If you are happy using public transport and researching the Forgotten Giants yourself, you may find the tour expensive.

I see the strongest value for short-stay visitors, families, and anyone who prefers a planned day outside the city. The convenience is especially useful when you want to see the tower and trolls in one outing without renting a car.

The high rating of 4.7 from 76 ratings fits the experience described here: excellent transport and guide scores, a striking main attraction, and unusual extra stops. The lower score also points to the central limitation: the package is not all-inclusive, and much of the Forest Tower visit is self-directed.

Who should choose this excursion?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Want a break from Copenhagen’s city center
• Like modern architecture mixed with a woodland walk
• Enjoy unusual public art and good photo stops
• Prefer a minibus to arranging several connections
• Have about five hours available
• Are comfortable paying the tower entrance fee separately

You may want another plan if you need a fully guided attraction from start to finish, dislike uphill walking, or want a long, relaxed lunch. The 12-circle climb is gradual, but this is still an outdoor visit with walking and time spent on your feet.

The tour also suits people who have already seen Copenhagen’s major central sights. It gives you a different view of Zealand, with fields, forest, and local art replacing palaces and canals.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Buy or check the Forest Tower ticket before departure so the extra cost does not surprise you. Also check the start time carefully, since the tour has set departures and lasts five hours.

Wear shoes suitable for a woodland path and a long uphill walk. Bring a light meal if you do not want to rely on the venue’s food, and remember that lunch is not part of the price.

Keep your camera ready at the troll stops. Fifteen minutes passes quickly, and the sculptures are best enjoyed when you are not still deciding what to do after getting off the minibus.

Finally, build in a little patience at the meeting point. The office is close to the main station, but if it appears closed, do not panic immediately. The guide has been punctual, and the meeting arrangement remains straightforward when you arrive at the correct address.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if convenience is your priority. The Forest Tower is the clear highlight, with a memorable climb through a living woodland setting and wide views from the top. The Forgotten Giants make the return trip more distinctive, while the comfortable minibus removes much of the planning work.

I would skip it if you are mainly seeking a fully guided experience or if the separate tower admission pushes the total beyond your budget. For everyone else, especially first-time visitors with limited time, this is a well-shaped half-day outing that shows you a quieter and more playful side of Zealand.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Copenhagen?

The meeting point is 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 tour lasts five hours. The outbound minibus journey takes about one hour, the Forest Tower visit lasts about two hours, and the return includes stops at Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis.

Is admission to the Forest Tower 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 you may also bring food with you.

Which language is the tour conducted in?

The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.

What is included in the transportation?

Transport is provided by an air-conditioned minibus. WiFi and bottled water are included, along with the host, driver, and guide.