Best CyclingTrip

Hovedstaden, Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen by bike with kids, on the harbour's bicycle snake

Start point

Copenhagen

Distance

15 km

Elevation gain

20 m D+

Duration

Half a day

Difficulty

Easy

Best season

April to October

Family

Copenhagen, a world benchmark for urban cycling, is best explored with kids on a network of cycle paths separated from traffic that crosses the historic harbour, from the Cykelslangen to the colourful facades of Nyhavn.

An urban loop on Europe’s finest cycle paths

From Nyhavn, a historic canal lined with colourful 17th-century houses, the path follows the harbour toward the Cykelslangen, the elevated orange cycle bridge that spans the water between two neighbourhoods, before reaching Amager. Expect around 15 km for a loop representative of the city centre, entirely on cycle paths separated from car traffic.

Getting the family ride right

With barely 20 m of cumulative elevation gain, this ride poses no difficulty and suits kids pedalling on their own from a young age. Copenhagen’s cycle network, among the most developed in the world, offers rare safety for a ride through the heart of a city with young children.

When to go

April to October, with the long days of the Nordic summer offering the most flexibility in timing. Spring and autumn, cooler, remain rideable thanks to cycle paths well maintained year-round.

Good to know

Copenhagen offers a wide choice of accommodation and a well-connected international airport, with convenient access to Frederiksberg for extending the stay beyond the historic centre and harbour.

Getting to Copenhagen

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Where to stay near Copenhagen

A selection of well-located places to stay so you can start the ride fresh.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Cykelslangen?+

Nicknamed the "bicycle snake," this elevated orange cycle bridge, opened in 2014, links two harbour neighbourhoods over the water, sparing cyclists a long detour. Now a symbol of Copenhagen's cycling infrastructure, it has won several international architecture and urban design awards.

Why is Copenhagen a world benchmark for urban cycling?+

The city has invested for decades in a dense network of cycle paths separated from car traffic, which has made cycling the daily mode of transport for a majority of residents commuting to work — a model studied and copied by many cities worldwide.

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