Copenhagen: The Forest Tower & Forgotten Giants Trolls Trip

The most striking part of this outing is the Forest Tower, an hourglass-shaped wooden structure that rises above the trees. You walk 12 broad circles toward the top, passing close to beech trunks growing through its center, then step onto a platform 140 meters above sea level.

I like the easy escape from Copenhagen and the chance to see real countryside without arranging trains or a rental car. I also like the pairing of modern architecture with the playful Forgotten Giants, especially if you want more than the usual city sights.

The main catch is clear: the Forest Tower ticket is not included in the $135 price. The day is also mostly transport and self-guided time at the tower, so it may feel expensive if you want a nonstop guided tour.

Key points at a glance

• The Forest Tower rises 140 meters above sea level, with views toward Copenhagen and Malmö on a clear day.
• The 12-circle walk is gentle but sustained, taking you upward through changing views of the forest.
• Two of the six Forgotten Giants are included, Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis.
• Transport is a strong part of the package, with an air-conditioned minibus, WiFi, bottled water, and a central meeting point.
• Bring or buy lunch separately, since food and the Forest Tower entrance are not included.
• Guides such as Vinod add useful local context, humor, and practical advice along the way.

Why the Forest Tower makes a good break from Copenhagen

Copenhagen is easy to enjoy on foot, but after a few days of canals, palaces, and cycle lanes, the quiet of Zealand’s woods feels like a welcome change. This trip takes you from the city to the Forest Tower in about an hour by minibus, with no train connections or rural bus planning to sort out.

The tower is not simply a tall platform dropped into a forest. Its curving wooden walkway rises gradually in a broad spiral, so you are walking through the trees rather than climbing a tight staircase. The shape changes as you move upward, and the view shifts from trunks and branches to open fields and distant towns.

I especially like the way this visit works for two different interests. Architecture fans get an unusual structure designed around the trees. Nature lovers get a calm walk through beech woodland, with plenty of time to notice the changing light and vegetation.

The tour receives a 4.7 rating from 76 reviews, and the most consistently praised parts are the guides, comfortable minibus, smooth timing, and the chance to get outside Copenhagen. One important note keeps appearing in practical advice: buy the tower admission separately before the trip if you can.

Meeting at Colbjørnsensgade 15

The departure point is the CPH Tours & Tickets office at Colbjørnsensgade 15, only about two minutes from Copenhagen Central Station. That is a useful location if you are staying near the station or arriving by train.

One small point deserves attention. The office may not look fully open before departure, and one person found a note saying it was closed while waiting for the guide. The guide did arrive on time, but I would still arrive a little early and keep your booking details handy.

The minibus is air-conditioned and includes WiFi and bottled water. That matters on this outing because the drive takes a large part of the day. The vehicle lets you rest between stops, and the guide can explain the places you are passing rather than leaving you to manage the journey alone.

The tour is offered in English. Guides have been praised for being friendly, witty, punctual, and good at explaining both the tower and the trolls. Vinod was singled out for giving useful information on the road and allowing people to bring lunch onto the bus. Guides can vary by departure, so do not assume Vinod will lead every trip.

The one-hour ride into Zealand

The first drive takes roughly one hour. This is not a sightseeing coach ride with a long list of roadside stops, but it gives you a simple transition from city to country.

That change is part of the appeal. You leave the central streets behind and reach a forest setting where the pace is quieter. The guide may also offer tips for Copenhagen during the drive, which is a useful bonus if this is one of your first days in the city.

The bus has WiFi, though I would treat that as a convenience rather than the main reason to book. You are paying for door-to-door transport, a host or driver-guide, and a small-group style outing rather than just a transfer.

Walking the 12 circles at Forest Tower

At the Forest Tower site, you have about two hours. That is enough time to walk through the woods, make the ascent, spend time at the top, and return without being hurried.

The path to the tower is part of the visit. You walk along wooden walkways through the forest before reaching the main structure. The route is designed to let you notice the woods at close range, and the gradual climb avoids the feel of racing up a conventional staircase.

As the walkway curves upward, you see the forest from different heights. Near the center, the hourglass form narrows and the beech trees growing through the tower become the visual focus. The structure is built tightly around them, close enough that you can reach out and touch three trees in its center.

That detail makes the tower more interesting than a standard observation deck. Instead of removing nature to create a viewpoint, the design frames it. You get a sense of the trees at ground level, then see their trunks and branches from above as you continue upward.

The top platform reaches 140 meters above sea level. On a clear day, the view extends to Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away. Weather matters here. On a gray or hazy day, you may see mainly the forest and fields, but the tower still gives you a strong sense of the surrounding countryside.

You should not expect a dramatic mountain panorama. Zealand is low and gently shaped, so the reward is the broad view across woods, farmland, and distant urban areas. The peaceful setting is as important as the height.

Two hours is a sensible amount of time, but the outing is not a private visit. You will need to keep an eye on the agreed departure time, especially if you stop for coffee, food, or the small exhibits at the site.

What you pay for at the tower

The $135 tour price covers round-trip transport, the English-speaking host or driver-guide, WiFi, and bottled water. It does not cover the Forest Tower admission or lunch.

That extra entrance charge changes the value calculation. One pair paid about another £40 for two adults, though the exact price can change. Check the current admission cost before booking, then add it to the advertised tour price.

For some people, the total will feel fair. You get transport from central Copenhagen, a guide, a comfortable ride, and two troll stops that would be awkward to combine independently. For others, the price may feel high because the tower visit itself is not guided step by step and a large part of the five-hour outing is spent in the minibus.

I would pre-book the tower ticket if the date allows. It saves time on arrival and prevents the unpleasant surprise of discovering that your tour payment did not include entry. Food is also extra, but you can bring lunch on the bus. The site has coffee and reasonably priced food, along with gift-shop and viewing areas.

The pause at Skovtårnsvej 1

After the Forest Tower visit, the schedule allows about 20 minutes at Skovtårnsvej 1. This functions as a break before the troll visits and gives you time to use the facilities, get coffee, or collect food.

Do not count on this as a full sit-down meal. The trip lasts about five hours, and the stop is short. If you know you need lunch, bring something with you or plan to buy food quickly at the site.

The Forest Tower grounds also offer a film area showing how the tower was made, along with shops and places to eat. These extras can be worthwhile if architecture interests you, but you will need to balance them against the departure time.

Meeting Hill Top Trine

The first troll stop is Hill Top Trine, reached after about 45 minutes of driving from the Forest Tower area and visited for roughly 15 minutes. The stop is brief, so think of it as a focused photo and story break rather than a long walk.

The Forgotten Giants project places large wooden troll sculptures around the Copenhagen area and beyond. Their settings are meant to encourage you to look in places you might otherwise pass without noticing. Hill Top Trine gives the return journey a playful turn after the calm, polished design of the tower.

The guide provides background about the trolls and helps make sense of the project. You will have time to take photographs, but do not expect an extended nature walk at this stop.

Finding Sleeping Louis in the suburbs

The second troll stop is Sleeping Louis, one of the six Forgotten Giants. The bus ride from Hill Top Trine takes about 15 minutes, followed by another 15-minute visit.

This is a different kind of attraction from the Forest Tower. The tower is carefully planned and built for views, while the giant troll feels more informal and surprising. Its suburban setting is part of the fun. You are not visiting a traditional museum or a major monument. You are being taken to a large outdoor artwork that can be easy to miss without local guidance.

The stop is particularly useful for anyone who likes public art, unusual photo opportunities, or attractions away from the standard city route. The tour visits two giants, not all six, so book this for a sample of the project rather than a complete troll hunt.

After Sleeping Louis, the minibus takes about 25 minutes to return to Colbjørnsensgade 15. The full schedule is listed as five hours, though individual driving and stop times can shift with traffic and the pace of the group.

How strong is the guiding?

The guide is one of the better reasons to choose this organized trip instead of arranging transport alone. The strongest comments focus on punctuality, humor, clear explanations, and useful local tips.

Guides explain the tower during the drive or at the site, then add context about the Forgotten Giants. They also keep the group moving without making the day feel rushed. That balance matters because you have several short stops and one longer visit.

Still, be clear about the format. This is not a detailed architectural lecture or a full walking tour of every location. You get an informed host, transport, orientation, and time to explore on your own. If you want to spend three hours studying the tower’s construction or linger at every viewpoint, the fixed schedule may feel limiting.

One person felt the price did not match an outing that was mainly transportation. That is a fair concern. The tour’s value rises if you dislike driving, are short on time, or want to combine the tower with the giants. It falls if you can easily arrange your own transport and prefer independent visits.

Who should book this five-hour outing?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A simple trip into the countryside from central Copenhagen
• An unusual structure with a strong forest setting
• A moderate outdoor walk rather than a demanding hike
• A small dose of public art and playful sculpture
• A guide who can explain the places and manage the transport
• A half-day activity that works well when you have already seen Copenhagen’s main center

Families, architecture fans, photographers, and people who enjoy odd local sights should find plenty to like. The trolls also give younger visitors something concrete and fun to anticipate.

I would think twice if you want a low-cost outing, dislike spending time in a vehicle, or expect every minute to be guided. Remember to add the tower entrance to the price, and check the weather before you go. The distant views depend on clear conditions.

The walk is described as accessible, but the information provided does not give detailed accessibility specifications. If you use a wheelchair or need particular facilities, ask the operator before booking rather than relying on general descriptions.

Final call: good value for the right kind of day

I would book this tour if I wanted to see the Forest Tower without renting a car and liked the idea of adding two unusual sculptures. The comfortable minibus, central meeting point, friendly guides, and simple five-hour plan remove much of the effort.

I would not book it expecting a fully guided tower tour or an all-inclusive price. Buy the entrance ticket separately, plan your food, and accept that the return route includes short stops rather than long visits.

For a practical half-day outside Copenhagen, this is a strong choice. The Forest Tower supplies the views and design interest, while Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis keep the outing from feeling like a single attraction with a long drive attached.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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

How long does the tour last?

The advertised duration is five hours. The schedule includes about one hour to reach the Forest Tower, two hours there, a 20-minute break, and visits to two Forgotten Giants on the return journey.

Is the Forest Tower entrance included?

No. The Forest Tower admission ticket is separate from the tour price and should be purchased in addition to the $135 tour cost.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Does the minibus have WiFi?

Yes. WiFi is provided on board, along with bottled water and air conditioning.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You can bring food on the bus, and the Forest Tower site has coffee and food options.

Which Forgotten Giants will I see?

The tour visits Hill Top Trine and Sleeping Louis. They are two of the six Forgotten Giants.

Can I see Copenhagen and Malmö from the tower?

On a clear day, the viewing platform can provide views toward Copenhagen and Malmö, more than 50 kilometers away.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.