Tokkekøb Hegn: A 12 km hike through a Neolithic culture landscape

Tokkekøb Hegn is a 631 hectare nature pearl in North Zealand with varied landscapes of forest, hills, marshes and lakes, dotted with remnants of prehistoric times. The area is home to many dolmens, long barrows and passage graves from the Neolithic, including the well-preserved Dæmpegårdsdyssen from 3,400 BC.

Autumn is officially here, although it feels like summer never was. Even Indian summer hasn’t greeted us this year. But on one rare mild autumn day in late September, I went on a field trip to the forest as part of my course on the Neolithic and Bronze Age in South Scandinavia. We walked 12 kilometres on Oldtidsstien (‘the ancient path’), passing by many prehistoric monuments.

The dolmens, long barrows and passage graves were built by the people of the Funnel Beaker Culture, who roamed the area from approximately 4.000 BC to 2.850 BC. The function of the monuments has been debated for hundreds of years, but finds of multiple bones from many different individuals as well as grave goods suggest that they were used as mass graves, probably with ritual ceremonies going on in connection to the many burials.

My favourite sight on the trail was Dæmpegårdsdyssen or Kongedyssen or Lokes Høj – a beloved child has many names. This is a long barrow with two stone chambers from around 3.400 BC. I remember it from a kids’ Christmas show that I used to watch as a child, so it brought back many cherished childhood memories. I need to watch that show again soon!

Not only was it an interesting cultural day, but it was also a lovely day out in gorgeous nature where I witnessed the seasons changing to my favourite season, autumn, for the first time this year.

Tokkekøb Hegn is a good option for a day trip from Copenhagen. It’s an area that has lots to offer for both nature worshippers and history nerds.

There are many trails to follow in the forest, but if you want to walk the same one as we did, take the train to Allerød and walk down Tokkekøbvej to the forest. At the entrance to the forest, you will find a map that you can take with you for your hike.

There are quite a few good places to eat your lunch in the area, including seven fire places throughout the forest. It’s also possible to camp overnight for free near the Dæmpegård farm, where there are fire places, tables and chairs. Everything is marked on the maps. Remember to respect the forest, and as Aliyyah Eniath once said:

“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”

And have great fun. I hope you love it just as much as I did!