Vestskoven

Vestskoven is undoubtedly a very special place – Denmark's largest newly planted forest area, covering around 1,400 hectares in the western suburbs of Copenhagen and spread across the municipalities of Albertslund, Høje-Tåstrup, Glostrup and Ballerup. Here, nature unfolds in everything from open plains and artificial hills to dense deciduous and coniferous forests, lakes and marshes – a source of experiences and tranquillity all year round.

You can feel it already in early spring: the birds return and the trees sprout green. In the open areas and by the lakes, you can experience large bird migrations with species such as kites and cranes – a unique sight in the middle of a forest near the city. In summer, the forest is dense and lively: fawns, foxes and other forest animals are active, the lakes are home to pike, perch and carp, and plant and insect life is buzzing. When autumn sets in, the colours change to golden and brown shades, berries and fruits are ready to be picked, and the deer herds become easier to spot. In winter, Vestskoven also offers unique experiences: herds of deer, snow tracks on the forest floor and opportunities for sledging at Herstedhøje, among other places.

One of the forest's most striking highlights is Herstedhøje – an artificial hill landscape built from millions of tonnes of soil and rubble from Greater Copenhagen. The highest point is around 67 metres above sea level and offers a magnificent view of Vestskoven and the surrounding area. At the foot of the hill, you will find the Herstedhøje Nature Centre, which has an exhibition, café and campfire sites – the perfect starting point for a trip.
In the western part of the forest, on the eastern slope of Store Vejleådalen, lies Vikingelandsbyen – a reconstructed village with houses from the 11th century and an active ‘workshop’ where volunteers build and maintain Viking architecture. The area is open all year round, and the history of the Viking Age is interwoven with nature.

Although the forest is relatively young, it is rich in wildlife. Among other things, it is home to one of Denmark's densest populations of roe deer, and in the marshes and lake areas you can hear the shy water rail with its characteristic ‘pig squeal’. The large open meadows are grazed by Scottish Highland cattle, which provides space for flowers, herbs and insects. On the plant side, 10 million trees have been planted - mainly oak and beech - and the ‘Mønterne’ area contains 85 different tree and shrub species planted as a living encyclopaedia.
Vestskoven also has a lot to offer in terms of cultural history: there are the old villages of Risby and Herstedøster, the Bronze Age burial mound Tinghøj, the historic execution site Trippendals Galge and, last but not least, the museum at Kroppedal together with the foundations of Ole Rømer's land observatory, where nature, astronomy and history merge.

All in all, these elements make Vestskoven more than just a forest: there is room for hiking in varied terrain, cycling, nature experiences with children, cultural history excursions and quiet moments in nature – all year round. The combination of open plains, forest, lakes, wildlife and culture is reminiscent of a miniature version of the best of both nature and history. Here you can feel that nature is still evolving – and you are right in the middle of it.