Dyrehaven — the Deer Park — is a royal hunting ground turned public park covering nearly 10 square kilometres of ancient beech forest immediately north of Gentofte. Around 2,000 red and fallow deer roam freely through the trees; encountering a large stag at close range on a forest path is entirely normal and one of the more unexpectedly wild experiences available within 20 kilometres of a Scandinavian capital.
The forest is UNESCO World Heritage listed as part of the Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe — a designation that reflects the age and quality of the canopy. Walking and cycling paths thread through the park; there are no marked trails as such, just a network of wide gravel rides through the trees. The Eremitageslottet (Hermitage Palace) sits at the highest point: a hunting lodge built for Frederik IV in 1736, still owned by the royal family, not open inside but offering a fine view over the park.
Entry to Dyrehaven is free and the park is open at all times. Klampenborg S-tog station is right at the southern entrance. A return walk through the forest to the Hermitage and back takes around 2 hours; bring a bike and you can cover the whole park in an afternoon.