More graves from the Stone Age hunter-gatherer period have been found in Vedbæk than anywhere else in Denmark. During construction of Vedbæk Skole in 1975, a total of 17 graves containing the burials of 22 people came to light. The Vedbæk finds are among Europe’s most remarkable finds from this period; their story is told at the place where they were discovered. This makes Rudersdal Municipality a destination where experiences of the landscape are combined with a tangible archaeological history.
History, art and architecture
Mothsgården is Denmark’s oldest surviving country estate. Its permanent exhibition covers the history of the Rudersdal region over a period of 1,000 years. Mothsgården is also a good starting point for walks in Kirkeskoven or by Søllerød Sø. This lets you combine a visit with a walk through the surrounding landscape, without following a set route.
At Gl. Holtegaard, art meets a historic Baroque garden: the estate includes a sculpture park, and the art gallery presents changing exhibitions of older and contemporary art. The program includes classical concerts, lectures and events. Café Alma serves coffee, lunch and wine, with an emphasis on organic and seasonal ingredients and products from local producers. As café offerings may change, it is worth checking the current menu before your visit.
The architecture also tells the story of different eras. The main building of Næsseslottet was built between 1782 and 1784 in the Louis XVI style. The medieval Søllerød Kirke was built before 1180 from limestone blocks from Stevns, which were transported there via Vedbæk. These details offer two specific historical points of reference, but do not form a shared sightseeing route.
Routes with different focuses
The approximately 32-kilometer KulturSlangen runs from Næsseslottet by Furesøen to Vedbæk Havn and the Øresund. It connects nature, art and history, following a continuous route through residential neighborhoods and urban areas. You can start at any point along the way. KulturSlangen also includes six shorter routes, ranging from 3 to 9 kilometers—an alternative to taking the entire main route.
Other signposted paths each have their own focus. The FamilieRuten is 21.5 kilometers long in total and can be used on foot or by bicycle. The Grisestien between Nærum and Vedbæk follows a former railway line: the tracks were removed in 1923, and today the route is a nature trail. Its historic course directly shapes the character of the path.
The 4.5-kilometer Vedbækturen branches off from KulturSlangen. Along the circular route, you pass old country houses along Vedbæk Strandvej, the area around Enrum Dam and Vedbæk Kirke. If you are looking for a different short route, try Næsseslotsturen: the circular route is 3.1 kilometers long, or 4.15 kilometers including Luknam. It tells the story of a friendship and of the 18th century’s enthusiasm for the romantic English landscape garden. Gl. Holtegaardturen is approximately 4.8 kilometers long.
Forest, Ice Age landscape and birdlife
Rude Skov offers several different ways to explore the forest. A marked blue mountain bike route is 10 kilometers long and passes through technically challenging terrain with many hills. The hiking route marked with yellow dots can be shortened or extended using other roads and paths. Designated tent and campfire sites are available for Rude Skov Rundt. There is also an accessible route around Ebberøddam and Blegmandsmosen. Rude Skov can be reached by bus 354 from Holte Station and bus 197 from Birkerød Station; check the timetable before travelling.
Rudersdal’s landscape was shaped by the Ice Age: ridges, rolling dead-ice terrain and meltwater valleys formed between 20,000 and 16,000 years ago. Along the Øresund coast, steep slopes are part of the landscape; they formed as sea and land levels rose when the ice melted. Landsebakken is 68 meters above sea level and is a short terminal moraine hill that rises steeply 15 to 20 meters above its surroundings.
Vaserne is a 135-hectare protected area of lake, bog and swamp forest. It provides a habitat for more than 180 bird species; the birds you can spot may vary seasonally. The bird tower at Vaserne has a long ramp leading to the lower level for wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties. An approximately 12-meter-long birdwatching bridge along Chr. Winthers Sti offers views of birdlife across the lake and along the reed beds.
There are different options along the coast, too: you can swim in the Øresund at Vedbæk Havn, and sailing is also possible. Swimming conditions may vary seasonally. Skodsborg Strandpark has an accessible bathing jetty that can be used year-round; check local access conditions before your visit.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Skodsborg, Nærum, Brøndby Municipality, Halsnæs Municipality, Gladsaxe, Vallensbæk, Lyngby-Taarbæk Municipality, Herlev Municipality.
Return to the main travel overview: Capital Region.
