First published: 09/08/16.

Clyde 0.5

Par Force Hunting Landscape

Par force hunting landscape (Inscribed)

Par force hunting landscape by Clyde

I visited this WHS in July 2016. Unknowingly I must have surely passed by parts of this inscribed site when visiting Hillerod a couple of years ago. This time round I was determined to visit the three main parts that make up this WHS. There is very limited information on this WHS, both online but especially by way of information boards or road signs. Since there was an exhibition dedicated to the Par Force hunting landscape as a WHS, I decided to start by visiting the Danish Museum of Hunting and Forestry (closed on Mondays) in Horsholm. I'm wasn't very keen to visit a collection of stuffed animals, hunting exhibits and forestry items but at least I was able to get some more information on this site in North Zealand. The exhibition (not worth the entrance ticket) is just a couple of information boards which would be much more helpful if they were placed at the sites themselves.

From Holsholm I drove towards Gribskov Forest which is the least interesting of the three locations. It is a large forest with a huge star-shaped system of paths, yet this can only be really appreciated using drone photography.

To be able to appreciate the star-shaped system of hunting paths, Store Dyrehave is much better as at least there are several stone markings and bicycle and walking trails (through the paths or through the woods) which all meet at the centre where there is the king's stone with an eroded compass engraving and inscription. I walked 6km to be able to actually see this stone and although I'm not in bad shape it took me quite a while to find my bearings and explore the star system. I wouldn't suggest visiting this place if you don't have a couple of hours to spare. Finding the parking lot to actually start walking one of the trails proved to be quite a difficult task. I drove to Kobenhavnsvej in Hillerod which is one of the main roads which lead to Fredriksborg Castle. Half way through I stopped to ask for directions at a small petrol station nearby and I also had a picture of the king's stone with me to show. All I got back were a series of puzzled looks! Few of the locals seem to know about the WHS inscription, let alone about the existence of some stone! I did not give up and after driving around in circles I saw a narrow road covered with dead leaves and overgrowth and three cars parked. There was a very small information board showing the different trails and I walked in following trail 4 and come back out following trail 3. The king's stone is very underwhelming and most simply use it as a resting spot. For me it turned out to be like a treasure hunt to get there and I had almost given up since I had a flight to catch afterwards from Copenhagen (some 45 minutes away).

The easiest way to visit this WHS and actually see something more than a forest and some stones is by visiting Jaegersborg Dyrehave. Most visit this place for golf, hiking or a stroll by the seaside villages. I drove to the Copenhagen Golf Club free parking lot at Lyngby which is the closest parking lot to the Hermitage. I walked for about 2km to the golf club and I could already see scores of deer and stags. From there I walked for about 2km to the Hermitage which I found to be quite similar to the Falkenlust hunting lodge in Germany. Here there is an information board but again no mention of the WHS inscription. All in all I enjoyed my picnic here even though I failed to see any OUV. It would be a pity to visit Hillerod without visiting Fredriksborg Castle and gardens. I'm glad I ticked all my previous near misses by visiting this site but it is perhaps Denmark's least interesting site.

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