“Altar or cult site?” That’s what “Hareskov” means from the Norse word Hörgr. Today, we are at the Hareskovhytten, close to Hareskoven. This forest has a rich history. It also offers beautiful nature.
Hareskoven sits between Furesø and Gladsaxe. It’s northwest of Copenhagen. The forest includes Lille Hareskov and Store Hareskov. Egebjergene, Jonstrups Vang, and Bøndernes Hegn are also part of Hareskovene.
Hareskoven isn’t huge. It covers only 800 to 900 hectares. But it links to other woodlands. These stretch west to Øresund. They also reach north to the large Gribskov forest.
Once, Hareskoven was a king’s hunting area. It stretches between Ballerup, Værløse, and Bagsværd. So it is easy to reach from the city. You can come by car, train, or bus. Hareskovene is really several forests. Roads separate them.
Beech trees dominate the forest. You’ll also see scattered oak, linden, and maple trees. This makes it perfect for walks in any season. Spring brings fresh foliage and flowers. Autumn paints the ground with golden leaves. Mushrooms pop up everywhere then.
The forest suffered damage during the Swedish Wars in the 1650s. It was concluded that it could only feed 90 pigs. The forest was protected to help it recover.
You can still see traces of the past here in Hareskoven. Six stone dolmens, old stone graves, remain from the Stone Age. Also see remains from the Swedes’ siege of Copenhagen. The camps, Lejrens Indelukke and Svenske Vold, are still visible.
Hareskoven has bridle paths for horseback riding. There’s also a trail for mountain biking. Several basic campsites invite you to linger.
Look for the notable solitaire trees. See Skrædderen the Tailor, Grenaderen the Grenadier, and Djævelen the Devil. Djævelen once looked like a devil’s hand. A storm partly destroyed it in 1981. But it still lives.
In winter, Eurasian Woodcocks come to feed in the bogs. These bogs usually don’t freeze.
So, as you enjoy your time here at Hareskovhytten, remember the long history. Think of kings hunting, wars fought, and nature recovering. Hareskoven offers a rich experience for everyone. Take a walk. Explore the trails. Discover the history. Breathe the fresh air. Hareskovhytten offers a perfect starting point to experience this ancient forest.