7 days
Duration
Easy
Difficulty
Denmark
Location
April-October
Availability

Start and finish by cycling through the heart of Copenhagen, one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities

Cycle along scenic coastal cycle paths with views across the Øresund to Sweden

Cycle through the ‘Royal Deer Park’ and visit Bakken – the world’s oldest amusement park

Discover stunning white-sand beaches, tranquil forests, and serene lakes

Visit Hamlet’s castle in Elsinore and the magnificent Frederiksborg castle in Hillerød


Self-guided cycling holiday in Royal Zealand

Easy and relaxed cycling holiday with short stages on flat and very safe cycle lanes, as well as quiet country roads and woodland paths.

This cycling holiday is ideally suited to families, who would like to enjoy an active cycling holiday while also having plenty of time to explore the many natural and cultural attractions of Northern Zealand

The tour starts and finishes with a cycle through the heart of Copenhagen, the ‘cycling capital of the world’. Leaving Copenhagen, you will cycle past the famous bronze statue of the Little Mermaid, of Hans Christian Anderson fame. You follow the coast road Strandvejen, passing luxury villas, marinas, and perfect white-sand beaches (don’t forget your swimwear!).

Strandvejen ends in the town of Helsingør (Elsinore), where you will find Kronborg Castle, world-famous as the setting for William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. You then make your way along the north coast, where you will find lovely seaside villages such as Hornbæk and Gilleleje, as well as excellent beaches, charming thatched cottages and historic lighthouses.

Turning south from Gilleleje, you make your way back to Copenhagen via lovely countryside and tranquil forests. As you arrive into Hillerød, you will cycle through the magnificent grounds and baroque gardens of Frederiksborg Castle; one of Northern Europe’s most majestic Renaissance castles.

The relatively short cycling distances will leave you with lots of time to visit some of Denmark’s best museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art – Louisiana, The Karen Blixen Museum in Rungsted and The Danish Maritime Museum in Elsinore.

7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS From €999 per person sharing*

*Discounts available for groups of 4 or more. Please enquire for info.
*Minimum of 2 people per booking

BIKE RENTAL If you don’t bring your own, you can rent a bicycle from us. Our touring bikes are high quality bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, 21 external gears and suspension fork. All touring bikes are as standard equipped with; mudguards, rack, chain locks, lights and puncture repair kit.

You will pick up your rental bike on the morning of your first cycling day and return it there on the afternoon of your last cycling day. The bike rental shop is just a short walk from your hotel.

Bike hire prices (5 days)

  • Hybrid (touring) bicycle: €140
  • E-bike: €240
  • Helmet: €7
  • Ortlieb pannier bag (20 liters): €20
ACCOMMODATION 4 overnight stays with continental breakfast buffet in *** hotels and 2 nights in a comfortable and modern **hotel in Copenhagen.

All rooms have private facilities.

AVAILABILITY You can start on any Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (subject to availability), between April 1st and October 31st.
INCLUDED
6 x overnight stay in comfortable hotels
6 x breakfasts
Luggage transport to the next hotel (1 piece per person)
Detailed route notes
Zealand cycling map (1 per room)
GPS tracks
Pre-departure information pack
Daily telephone support
NOT INCLUDED
Flights & travel insurance
Travel to or from Copenhagen
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Anything else not mentioned in the Included section
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
Bike rental
Additional nights
Single room supplement
DIFFICULTY This trip is rated as easy overall and is ideally suited to families. The route is mostly flat with occasional small hills. You will cycle on safe dedicated cycle lanes in Copenhagen and along the coast. There are also some sections on quiet minor roads and forest paths. The average cycling distance per day is just 30 km.
1

Day 1: Arrival in Copenhagen

Arrive at your centrally located hotel and explore nearby sights such as Amalienborg Palace and the brightly coloured houses of Nyhavn.

Overnight: Copenhagen

2

Day 2: Cycle from Copenhagen to Vedbæk

Distance: 23 km | Ascent: 147 m | Descent: 146 m

You begin your first ride by taking a loop around the ramparts of the Kastellet fortress, passing the famous bronze statue of the Little Mermaid. From here, you head northwards out of the city, passing through the wealthy suburb of Hellerup and another fortress and pleasant beach at Charlottenlund, before reaching the lovely Bellevue beach in Klampenborg. Here, you turn inland and pass through the gates of the Royal Deer Park (Jægersborg Dyrehaven). You can make a stop at the world’s oldest amusement park Bakken, before continuing past the Royal Hunting Lodge (Ermitageslottet). Your route ends back at the coast in the pleasant seaside village of Vedbæk.

Overnight: Vedbæk

3

Day 3: Cycle from Vedbæk to Elsinore

Distance: 25 km | Ascent: 100 m | Descent: 100 m

On your second cycling day, you will follow the coastal road Strandvejen (beach road). For most of your route, you will follow a wide cycle lane right next to the sea. Expect to see lots of luxury villas and vintage cars!

Along the way, you will pass three of Denmark’s very best museums. First up is the former home of Danish author Karen Blixen (writer of “Out of Africa”). Next is the wonderful Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, which is as well-known for its beautiful location as its exhibitions. Finally you reach Elsinore (Helsingør), where the main attraction is undoubtedly the beautiful Kronborg Castle, best known as the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Also well worth a visit is the Danish Maritime Museum.

If you like, you can include an extra night here and take a day trip over to Helsingborg in Sweden. The ferry runs regularly throughout the day and the journey takes just 20 minutes.

Overnight: Elsinore

4

Day 4: Cycle from Elsinore to Gilleleje

Distance: 25 km | Ascent: 160 m | Descent: 160 m

After a short climb out of Elsinore, you cycle on peaceful forest paths to the seaside village of Hornbæk. You can take a refreshing swim at the lovely white-sand beach and/or enjoy a seafood lunch at one of the excellent restaurants before continuing along the coast towards Gilleleje.

Shortly before Gilleleje you can visit the old lighthouse at Nakkehoved and explore the Danish lighthouse history at the small Lighthouse Museum.

Gilleleje is a charming port and fishing village at Zealand’s northernmost point. The narrow streets of the old village are lined with charming thatched fisherman’s cottages and flowering gardens. You can take a stroll around the harbour to soak up the lovely maritime atmosphere before enjoying a delicious meal of fresh seafood straight from the sea!

Overnight: Gilleleje

5

Day 5: Cycle from Gilleleje to Hillerød

Distance: 31 km | Ascent: 242 m | Descent: 222 m

After passing through Gilleleje, with its thatched cottages, lovely beach and lively marina, you follow a tranquil cycle path southward through the idyllic North Zealand countryside. The second part of your route follows undulating woodland paths through the serene Gribskov forest.

You arrive into Hillerød through the stunning baroque gardens of Frederiksborg Castle. Your route takes you right through the castle grounds and courtyard, to the main square with lovely views across the lake.

Overnight: Hillerød

6

Day 6: Cycle from Hillerød to Copenhagen

Distance: 40 km | Ascent: 211 m | Descent: 229 m

(18.5 km if you take the train from Farum)

Your final cycling stage begins on quiet roads through countryside and lovely woodlands to Farum. You then have the option to take the train to Copenhagen or continue along the cycle path and entering the city via the lively northern district of Norrebro. You will cross Queen Louise’s Bridge and then turn left, passing the Botanic Gardens, Rosenborg Castle and the National Art Gallery before finishing back at the bike shop to return your rental bike.

Overnight: Copenhagen

7

Day 7: Departure

Your cycling holiday in North Zealand comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.


Travel info

  The nearest airport is Copenhagen airport.
There are very regular metro and train services from the airport to Copenhagen city centre. The journey takes 20 mins approx. For timetables please see Journeyplanner.dk

Zealand cycling holiday
Start and finish in coulourful Nyhavn in Copenhagen
The Little Mermaid
Coastal cycle path at Charlottenlund Fort
Charlottenlund sea baths
Cycling on the coast road 'Strandvejen'
Bellevue beach, Klampenborg
Beachside cafe in Klampenborg
Entering the Royal deer park 'Dyrehaven'
Approaching the Royal Hunting Lodge in Dyrehaven
Vedbaek Marina
Bathing bridge on Strandvejen
Bike on Nivå beach
Hamlet's Castle in Elsinore
Woodland cycle path, Hellebaek
Vintage car on the Zealand north coast
Nakkehoved lighthouse
Countryside south of Gilleleje
Cycling in the North Zealand countryside
Thatched cottage between Gilleleje and Hillerød
Louise's Island, Hillerød
Cycling in Fredriksborg Castle Gardens
Cycling past the 'Bath House', Hillerød
The baroque gardens of Frederiksborg Castle
Boat tour at Frederiksborg Castle

Tour Reviews

4.67 based on 3 reviews
14/09/2023

We really enjoyed the good mix of bike riding reasonable distances with beautiful sightseeing — castles, royal deer park, fishing village. Niall was quick to resolve the situation when our luggage didn’t turn up the first day. We found the hotels to be very well located. Our only glitch was with the bike shop. Our bikes were not ready for us and we waited two hours while they repaired them hurriedly (and not completely adequately.) We would book with Wild Rover again.

10/10/2022

A pleasant time was had by us, a 70 year old couple from California. Excellent bike paths through beautiful scenery on a well organized tour. And mostly FLAT! Surprisingly good weather in mid-September, I even had a short dip into the sea. We completed all the daily distances, found the comfortable hotels, and enjoyed a good meal and cold beverage at day’s end. Thanks for a great trip, Niall, we hope to tour with with you again

04/07/2022

My wife and I just competed the Royal Zealand Tour. Prior to the tour we had several questions about details. All those were answered quickly and professionally. When we arrived to begin the tour my wife became ill. I contacted Nial and he was very supportive. He adjusted the schedule by changing some reservations and modifying others. He told us how to use the train to take short cuts. We lost 2 days, but otherwise had a fine time. The cycling is almost all along bike trails away from cars. The trails are beautiful and in good shape. If you are interested in cycling in Denmark this company is a good one to help you do it.

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