The King Oak in Jægerspris Nordskov - Denmark’s oldest tree
The King Oak stands as a living testament to Denmark’s natural and cultural history in Jægerspris Nordskov on the Hornsherred peninsula, west of Copenhagen. Estimated to be between 1,400 and 1,900 years old, this ancient oak has witnessed centuries of change since forests once covered large parts of Hornsherred.
Today, the King Oak appears as a monumental hollow trunk with a few surviving branches, surrounded by the rich forest landscape. In its prime, the tree measured around 14 metres in circumference and was already a mighty oak when King Gorm the Old ruled the Danes.
A Meeting Point of Nature and History
Jægerspris Nordskov is home to several ancient oaks, but the King Oak is the only one still alive among the three famous trees. The others - the Stork Oak and the Snail Oak - remain as impressive natural monuments within the forest.
Explore the Forest Landscape
The forest offers marked cycling and hiking routes leading through varied woodland and wetlands such as Bredvig Mose, one of the closest impressions of the primeval forest that once covered northern Hornsherred. Maps of the area are available at Rejsestalden in Jægerspris to help plan the visit.
Stay outside the fence and avoid climbing on or touching the fragile oak.
Last updated by:VisitFjordlandetmail@visitfjordlandet.dk
