Copenhagen may not have mountains, but it nonetheless knows how to make walking feel like an adventure.
This is a capital where the coastlines stretch for miles, where the forests sit just beyond the city line, and where the rooftop trails wind over power plants. Regardless of whether you’re visiting for a weekend or if you’re gonna be staying longer, there are plenty of places to lace up and get moving. It’s also a great introduction to hiking in Denmark, especially if you want accessible trails without travelling deep into the countryside.
For those of you who enjoy the slower side of travel (or those of you who just want to swap the cobblestones for a quiet trail), these hikes offer a range of experiences. And if you’re planning to explore beyond Copenhagen, there are plenty more best hikes in Denmark to add to your list.
For more info on what to expect from Copenhagen, be sure to check out our city guide!
- Amager Strandpark Loop (Best Coastal Hike Near Copenhagen)
- Dyrehaven and Eremitage Palace (Best Day Hike for Families)
- Kalvebod Fælled (Best Beginner Day Hike Near Copenhagen)
- CopenHill Climb (Best Urban Hike in Copenhagen)
- Utterslev Mose Loop (Best Quick Walk Out of Copenhagen)
- Vestvolden (Best Full-Day Hike from Copenhagen)
- Møns Klint (Best Mountain-Style Hike From Copenhagen)
- Exploring Copenhagen
- Where to Next?
If you’re planning to tackle one or two of these routes during your trip, it’s worth checking what to bring on a day hike before you head out. Even the easier Copenhagen trails can be more enjoyable when you have the right essentials with you.
Amager Strandpark Loop (Best Coastal Hike Near Copenhagen)
If you enjoy the smell of salt air and the sound of waves while walking, this coastal route hits all the right notes. Amager Strandpark is a long and breezy stretch of artificial beaches with dune paths and shoreline trails located just a short metro ride from the city center.
This hike is great for sunrise jogs, sunset strolls, or for full loops that hug the water the entire way.
- Average time: 2 to 3 hours
- Distance: 7 to 9 km (4.3 to 5.6 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: Minimal
- Highlights: Ocean views, wide paved and sandy paths, sea breeze
- Don’t miss: A walk to the far tip of the island for a full panoramic of the Øresund Bridge and Swedish coastline
“Plan less, walk more.” Pick a route, set your pace, and let Europe unfold under your boots: grab your free Walking Holiday ebook today”
Dyrehaven and Eremitage Palace (Best Day Hike for Families)
Just north of the city lies Dyrehaven, also known as The Deer Park. This place is a massive (and historic) hunting ground that’s been turned into a public park. The trails here are wide and flat and stroller-friendly, which makes it an easy pick for families or beginner walkers. If you’re new to hiking, our beginner hiking guide can also help you prepare for your first few outings..
You’ll pass through dense forest and open meadows, and you’ll also likely spot herds of deer along the way.
- Average time: 3 to 4 hours
- Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 90 m (295 ft)
- Highlights: Eremitage Palace, roaming deer, peaceful woodland
- Don’t miss: Climbing the small hill behind the palace for sweeping countryside views
Kalvebod Fælled (Best Beginner Day Hike Near Copenhagen)
If you like big skies and flat terrain with lots of open space, Kalvebod Fælled is for you. Located in western Amager, this preserved natural area is filled u[p with grassy plains and birdlife and well-marked walking paths.
It’s ideal for a peaceful and meditative walk where your mind can wander as far as your feet.
- Average time: 2 to 3 hours
- Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: Minimal
- Highlights: Wetlands, marsh birds, wildflowers in spring
- Don’t miss: Detour to the birdwatching towers for a unique view of the surrounding landscape
“First time on the trail? Hiking for Beginners has your back.”
CopenHill Climb (Best Urban Hike in Copenhagen)
Only in Copenhagen could you hike up a power plant and have it be one of the best views in town!
CopenHill offers a steep and zigzagging path up its artificial slope, and it comes complete with synthetic greenery and the occasional skier zooming down beside you. It’s short and weird, but it’s also absolutely worth it.
- Average time: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Distance: 1.5 km (0.9 miles) (round trip)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 85 m (278 ft)
- Highlights: Urban elevation, rooftop views, and bragging rights
- Don’t miss: The café at the top for a coffee with a skyline backdrop
Utterslev Mose Loop (Best Quick Walk Out of Copenhagen)
Utterslev Mose is a quiet and flat nature reserve in the northwestern part of the city that wraps around a series of peaceful lakes and wetlands.
This one’s perfect if you’ve only got a couple of hours but if you still want to feel immersed in nature. The circular trail is easygoing, with wide gravel paths and plenty of benches.
- Average time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Distance: 5.5 km (3.4 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: Negligible
- Highlights: Birdwatching, lake reflections, local quietude
- Don’t miss: The little wooden platforms jutting out into the water (great for a snack break or quiet moment)
🗒️ Free Checklist: “Never forget the essentials — grab your free Ultimate Hiking Packing List.”
Vestvolden (Best Full-Day Hike from Copenhagen)
If you really want to rack up the miles, you should head west to Vestvolden. This historic military embankment stretches for miles and it has been repurposed into a greenbelt filled with bike and walking paths.
It’s flat but long, and it’s also ideal for those of you who enjoy steady distance rather than steep elevation. If you’re trying to work out how long a route like this might take, knowing your average hiking speed can make planning much easier.
- Average time: 5 to 6 hours
- Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 100 m (328 ft)
- Highlights: Wide open space, military ruins, quiet forest zones
- Don’t miss: Old bunkers and artillery points from Denmark’s defensive past
Møns Klint (Best Mountain-Style Hike From Copenhagen)
It’s a bit of a journey to get here (about two hours by train and bus in total), but Møns Klint is truly in a league of its own. If you’re planning to turn your hiking trip into a longer walking holiday in Denmark, it’s the kind of route worth adding to your itinerary.You’ll find towering white chalk cliffs that rise above the Baltic Sea, and the trails run both along the top and down to the beach below via steep wooden stairs.
It’s the most dramatic landscape near Copenhagen and it’s also totally worth the travel time (if you’ve got a day to spare that is).
- Average time: 4 to 5 hours (not including transport)
- Distance: 7 to 10 km (4.3 to 6.2 miles)
- Altitude Gain/Loss: 200 m (656 ft)
- Highlights: Cliffside views, beach trails, rare orchids in spring
- Don’t miss: Geocenter Møns Klint for a break and a bit of geology with your hike
Where to Next?
- Ultimate Guides – your gateway to hiking across Europe
- Hikes & Trails – curated lists of the best hikes and local gems
- Walking Holidays – extended journeys for when a single day just isn’t enough
- General Blog – all the extras: gear reviews, planning tips, and personal stories
Exploring Copenhagen
You don’t need elevation to have an unforgettable hiking experience…and Copenhagen effortlessly proves it.
These seven hikes combine the best of Danish nature, creativity, and calm, and they also offer a variety of trails for every type of walker. And if Copenhagen has given you a taste for Nordic hiking, there are plenty more hikes across Scandinavia to explore.
Regardless of whether you’re squeezing in a quick morning loop or if you’re gonna be heading out for a full-day adventure, each of these routes will give you a fresh look at the city and its surprisingly wild surroundings.
