Frederiksværk between Lake Arresø and Roskilde Fjord

Water, industrial history and trails

Frederiksværk lies between Denmark’s largest lake, Lake Arresø, and Roskilde Fjord. The Arresø Canal flows through the town, forming the outlet from Lake Arresø to Roskilde Fjord. When planning your trip, the town therefore combines waterscapes, historic urban structures and various opportunities for culture, walks and activities on the water.

Discover historic Frederiksværk

The historic town centre, with its old houses, historic industrial buildings and workers’ housing, is designated as a national industrial monument and cultural heritage area. The industrial past can be explored at the Krudtværksmuseet museum, which presents historic powder mills along the canal and provides insight into the dangerous work of powder production. The preserved buildings contain original machinery that can still be set in motion today.

Krudtværket is one of Denmark’s best-preserved industrial environments. The Arsenalet houses an exhibition on Frederiksværk’s industrial history and the many products manufactured during the town’s more than 250-year development as an industrial town. Gjethuset is now an arts and cultural centre with theatre, music and art exhibitions. In addition, Ågalleriet presents changing exhibitions of visual art, photography and graphic art in natural surroundings by the stream in the Krudtværk area. Kunstnerhuset is home to six active artists in a historic industrial building behind Gjethuset.

Walking trails and water-based experiences

For an exploration on foot, the signposted historic hiking route “Kongemagt og Vandets Kraft” is a good choice. It runs along the Arresø Canal to Arrenæs near Frederiksværk and is available in versions of 11 km, 7 km and 5 km. The green route follows roads and good paths and is accessible to everyone, including people using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. The different route lengths make it easier to choose according to the planned length of your day.

Bakkestien offers views over Frederiksværk and Roskilde Fjord. Arresødal Skov is also located close to the town; it is heavily used and serves as a recreational area for the people of Frederiksværk. On the water, the excursion boat MS Frederikke departs from the canal by Arresødal at fixed times during the summer season. Frederiksværk Camping & Vandrehjem offers daily canoe and kayak rental throughout the summer, allowing you to explore the fjord and canal at your own pace.

The water-based options differ in how they are organised: MS Frederikke operates according to fixed departure times, while canoe and kayak rental allows you to explore at your own pace. For your planning, this means a clear contrast between an excursion boat trip and a self-determined route.

At Classens Krudt, purchases are made online; at Hotel Frederiksværk, the purchase can be exchanged for a booklet on the desired day.

Local trains and several bus routes stop in Frederiksværk and provide connections to the rest of Halsnæs and North Zealand.

For further comparison, the overview also includes Ølsted, Frederiksberg, Store Havelse, Melby, Rødovre Municipality, Glostrup, Copenhagen and Kongens Lyngby.

For the overarching travel overview: Hovedstaden.