Cloos Tower (Cloostårnet)

North Jutland’s hilltop lookout: a 60 m tower above beech woods and fields, with sweeping views over Vendsyssel, family-friendly green space and woodland trails.

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Cloos Tower

Rising above the beech-clad hills of Flade Bakker southwest of Frederikshavn, Cloos Tower is a 60 m-high concrete observation tower and one of North Jutland’s most distinctive landmarks. From its viewing platform, 160 m above sea level, you gaze across the whole of Vendsyssel, from Skagen and Læsø to Rubjerg Knude and the Jyske Ås ridge. At its base, a family-friendly green area with playground, picnic tables, grill and kiosk makes this an easy half-day outing close to town.

A brief summary to Cloos Tower

Brønderslevvej 61, Frederikshavn, 9900, DK
+4523357087
Visit website
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Budget
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Monday 10 am-5 pm
Tuesday 10 am-5 pm
Wednesday 10 am-5 pm
Thursday 10 am-5 pm
Friday 10 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

Aim for a clear or lightly cloudy day; from the top you can often see as far as Skagen, Læsø and Rubjerg Knude when visibility is good.
If mobility is an issue, use the elevator; if you want a workout, climb the 315 steps and pause at intermediate windows on the way up.
Bring a picnic or simple grill ingredients and use the fixed barbecue, tables and benches around the tower during opening hours.
Combine your visit with a walk on the forest trails towards Vandværksskoven and the Bangsbo area for a half-day in nature.
Carry a light windproof layer, even in summer; the viewing platform can feel much breezier than the forest and car park below.

Getting There

Local bus from Frederikshavn

From central Frederikshavn, use a regional bus service towards the Flade or Vinkestrækning area; typical journeys from the town centre take about 15–25 minutes. Expect standard Danish regional fares in the range of 20–40 DKK one way, depending on zones and ticket type. Buses do not stop directly at the tower, so you will finish with an uphill walk on quiet roads and forest paths, which can be steep in sections and may be challenging for wheelchairs or prams.
Bicycle from town

Cycling from Frederikshavn centre to the tower usually takes 25–40 minutes each way, covering about 6–8 km with a noticeable climb near the end. The route uses regular roads with some traffic, so lights and helmets are recommended, and the final ascent requires low gears and reasonable fitness. This option is free apart from potential bike rental, which in Frederikshavn typically costs around 100–200 DKK per day depending on the type of bicycle.
Car or taxi from Frederikshavn

Driving from central Frederikshavn to the tower area generally takes 10–15 minutes, following main roads out of town and then a smaller access road into the forested hills. Parking is usually available close to the tower, but spaces can fill up on clear summer days, so early or late visits are more relaxed. A taxi for the short trip within town commonly costs around 120–200 DKK each way, varying with traffic and time of day.
Walking via forest paths

For a more active approach, you can combine urban streets and marked forest trails from the southern parts of Frederikshavn to reach the tower on foot in roughly 60–90 minutes. The terrain alternates between paved surfaces, gravel tracks and woodland paths with some moderate climbs. This route is free but not ideal in very wet conditions or for those with limited mobility, as the forest can be muddy and uneven outside the driest months.

Cloos Tower location weather suitability

Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures
Hot Weather
Cold Weather
Any Weather

Discover more about Cloos Tower

A hilltop landmark above Frederikshavn

Cloos Tower, or Cloostårnet, stands on the rolling slopes of Flade Bakker just southwest of Frederikshavn, crowning a ridge of woodland and heath that rises high above the town and harbor. From a distance, the slim, pale shaft of the tower is visible from ships entering the Kattegat and from roads across much of northern Jutland, acting as a vertical exclamation mark in an otherwise low landscape. At 60 meters tall and around 160 meters above sea level at the viewing platform, it is one of the highest built viewpoints in the region. The tower’s position gives it a different feel from coastal lighthouses: instead of looking only out to sea, you hover above a patchwork of fields, forests and towns that seems to radiate in every direction.

A gift from the Cloos family

The story of the tower begins with merchant and consul Christian Cloos, a wealthy Frederikshavn citizen with strong ties to the surrounding countryside. In his will, he donated the land at Flade Bakker together with funds on the condition that a lookout tower be built here in memory of his parents, Christian Ludvig and Oline Henriette Cloos. Debate and delays meant that several early proposals never left the drawing board. Only the firm deadline in the bequest – the tower had to be completed by 1962 – finally pushed the project forward. Architect Leopold Teschl won the design competition, originally envisioning an ambitious revolving restaurant at the top. When the tower was inaugurated on 18 April 1962, the more modest final structure nevertheless fulfilled Cloos’s wish: a commanding vantage point and a lasting memorial on the hill.

Architecture shaped for big skies

Seen up close, Cloos Tower is a study in functional, early-1960s Danish modernism. The clean, vertical volume rises from a low base building, its surfaces largely unadorned so the focus stays on the views rather than decoration. Rectangular window openings punctuate the tower skin, and the overall impression is of a rational, engineered object set into soft, natural surroundings. Inside, a central core houses an elevator alongside a tight spiral of stairs – 315 steps in total – giving visitors a choice between a gentle ride or a leg-burning climb. At the top, a glazed viewing area and open gallery wrap around the structure. On bright days the sunlight floods the space; on grey days, clouds seem to press right up against the windows, emphasizing the tower’s height above the landscape.

Horizons that stretch across Vendsyssel

The panorama is the tower’s true draw. To the north, your eye follows the narrowing peninsula all the way towards Skagen, where the North Sea and the Kattegat meet in a pale, hazy line. Turning eastward, the islands of Hirsholmene and Læsø sit like low silhouettes on the horizon, their shapes shifting with the light and the weather. Looking south and west, the inland countryside opens up: the wooded ridge of Jyske Ås, scattered wind turbines, and the distinctive dunes near Rubjerg Knude on the distant west coast. Below you, Frederikshavn spreads out as a compact urban patchwork, its harbor infrastructure and palm-fringed beach giving way quickly to farmland and forest. In clear air, the sense of distance is remarkable; on days with changing cloud cover, moving shadows animate the landscape like a slow theatre.

Forest edge, playground and picnic green

The base of the tower is designed as a relaxed recreational area that invites you to linger before or after the ascent. A small kiosk offers ice cream, coffee, sweets and simple refreshments during the open season, and nearby tables and benches encourage unhurried picnics. A fixed barbecue grill in the square and grassy patches under the trees make it easy to turn a short visit into an afternoon outdoors. For children, the on-site playground adds a welcome burst of energy, with climbing structures and open space to run around while adults enjoy the view or a quiet coffee. Restrooms are available during tower opening hours, which helps the place function as an accessible mini-excursion for families, small groups or solo travelers who simply want a break from the town centre.

Gateway to Bangsbo and the beech woods

Cloos Tower does not stand in isolation: it is tucked into the edge of Vandværksskoven, a predominantly beech forest that links the hilltop with the wider Bangsbo area. From the tower, marked trails lead into the woods, giving walkers and runners the option to combine a viewpoint visit with a short forest loop or a longer outing towards Bangsbo Museum and its historic gardens. This green setting also shapes the atmosphere on the hill. In summer, the beech canopy filters the light and adds a chorus of birdsong beneath the steady rush of wind around the viewing deck. In spring and autumn, shifting leaf colors frame the concrete shaft in fresh greens or warm browns, constantly altering the approach to the tower. Even outside the tower’s open season, the surrounding landscape remains a calm, airy place to explore on foot.

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Frederikshavn Sogn

3.8 km

A grand Romanesque church and living parish at the heart of a North Jutland port town, where seafaring history, sacred art and everyday Danish life meet.

Fisketorvet

4.5 km

A modest central square in Frederikshavn where everyday small-town life, summer tourist hosts and a hint of maritime character quietly meet by the harbor.

Frederikshavn Church

4.8 km

Frederikshavn’s red-brick landmark church, blending National Romantic architecture, a Michael Ancher altarpiece and war graves into one evocative town centre stop.

Frederikshavn St.

4.9 km

Compact, coastal rail terminus linking Frederikshavn’s harbor, ferries and town center, and a relaxed stepping stone to beaches, bunkers and northern Jutland landscapes.

Cafe' Feen

5.1 km

Aalborg’s beloved Kildeparken blends music, art, and green tranquility, offering a vibrant escape in the city center for relaxation, exploration, and community events.

Port of Frederikshavn

5.2 km

A deep-water working harbour where ferries, shipyards and offshore giants share the waterfront, shaping the maritime heart of Frederikshavn.

Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen

6.0 km

A modest roadside stone in rural Vendsyssel, the Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen quietly links a single life story with the open fields and farm roads of Gærum.

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

6.0 km

Second World War bunkers half-buried in the dunes behind Frederikshavn’s palm-lined city beach, blending coastal history with a relaxed seaside setting.

The Lady From The Sea

10.6 km

A towering harbour figurehead where Ibsen’s sea‑bound heroine, medieval Mary and hundreds of children’s symbols merge into one evocative coastal landmark.

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

32.8 km

A modest granite stone in Skagen Klitplantage honouring the dune inspector who planted millions of pines and transformed the shifting sands south of Skagen.

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

32.9 km

Delve into Esbjerg’s evolution from coastal hamlet to harbor city at this immersive museum, blending archaeology, wartime history, and lifelike local scenes in Denmark’s West Jutland.

Skagen Havn

33.4 km

A bustling North Sea harbour where fishing fleets, cruise liners and a cosy marina meet under Skagen’s famous northern light.

Enjoy Skagen

33.9 km

Esbjerg Museum reveals the city’s story through immersive exhibits on maritime legacy, archaeology, and daily life—offering an interactive journey into Danish west coast history.

Galleri Bo

34.2 km

Explore Denmark's vibrant west coast heritage at Esbjerg Museum, where local history, archaeology, and immersive exhibits bring Esbjerg's dramatic story to life.

Sømærket Vin- & CiderBar

34.2 km

Explore Jutland’s fascinating history, authentic old streets, and a unique amber collection at Esbjerg Museum in the city center—a showcase of local culture and heritage.

Unmissable attractions to see

Kongeegen

0.2 km

A quietly imposing oak on Frederikshavn’s northern edge, Kongeegen offers a simple, characterful pause between suburban streets and the open North Jutland landscape.

Fladbjerg gravhøj

0.5 km

A modest prehistoric burial mound on a hill above Frederikshavn, where ancient ritual quietly meets the landscaped calm of a modern cemetery park.

Vandværksskoven

0.6 km

Small, pine-scented Vandværksskoven offers Frederikshavn’s easiest escape into the woods, with mellow trails, a 3 km MTB loop and links to the Bangsbo hills.

Gravplads fra jernalderen

1.8 km

Wander a forested hillside near Frederikshavn where 62 Iron Age burial mounds, stone banks and hidden cellars quietly reveal over a thousand years of rural Danish life.

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

2.2 km

Historic Bangsbo manor turned coastal museum, where medieval ships, wartime stories and a 1900s cultural salon meet in lush parkland on Frederikshavn’s edge.

Mindesten for V. VANGSTED

2.2 km

Explore the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.

Boolsens Stenhave

2.3 km

A quiet stone garden in Frederikshavn where an author’s lifelong passion for geology now unfolds as an open-air story of ice, rock, and deep time.

Skovhuset

2.3 km

Rustic forest house in Bangsbo Dyrehave where woodland, deer and open-fire meals create a quietly atmospheric escape just outside Frederikshavn.

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

2.4 km

Denmark's premier botanical garden where English-style elegance meets Northern Europe's largest alpine crevice garden.

Mindesten for de 3

2.8 km

A modest war memorial in Frederikshavn honoring three local lives lost during World War II, inviting a brief, thoughtful pause amid the town’s everyday rhythm.

Pikkerbakken

2.9 km

Forest-framed hilltop with a striking airwalk, sweeping Kattegat views and quiet wartime relics above the harbor town of Frederikshavn.

Bangsbo Fort - Bunkermuseum

3.3 km

Hilltop World War II and Cold War fortress overlooking Frederikshavn and the Kattegat, with panoramic views, bunker explorations and immersive coastal history.

Blakshøj Jættestue

4.2 km

Vendsyssel’s only preserved Neolithic passage grave, a vast stone chamber hidden in a grassy mound on quiet farmland just outside Frederikshavn.

Triaden sculpture

4.3 km

Discover Mindesten in Frederikshavn: A serene memorial honoring local history amidst beautifully landscaped gardens.

Tordenskjold statue

4.5 km

Experience the harmonious blend of art and nature at Skovhuset, Frederikshavn's cultural gem.

Cozy Danish comfort food and homemade pastries in a family-friendly café with genuine hygge.

Family-focused children’s clothing store in Frederikshavn, offering Scandinavian-quality wear, outerwear and accessories for babies, kids and teens on quiet Ørnevej.

Local gaming den meets casual bar in a low-key Frederikshavn café where slot machines, screens and simple drinks create an everyday, untouristy hangout.

Polished cocktails and high-energy club vibes collide at this compact, late-night hotspot on Aalborg’s legendary Jomfru Ane Gade.

Club Stygge

52.9 km

High-energy weekend nightclub in central Aalborg with pounding beats, cocktails and a compact dance floor above busy Vesterå.

Happy Friday

71.1 km

Experience Støvring's vibrant nightlife at Happy Friday Cocktail Bar, where expertly crafted cocktails meet a lively atmosphere.

Rold Skov Orienteringsklub

74.0 km

Embark on an orienteering adventure with Rold Skov Orienteringsklub in Denmark's captivating Rold Skov forest.

Skørping Bodega

74.0 km

A friendly local bodega near Rold Skov, Skørping Bodega captures the spirit of Danish bar culture with its authentic charm, inviting atmosphere, and vibrant community.

Mjølner

74.5 km

Small-town Nibe’s late-night heartbeat, where a compact dance floor, loud party tunes and local crowds turn a quiet fjord town into a lively night out.

Mariager Fjord Golf

84.2 km

Mariager Fjord Golf blends a challenging 18-hole course with spectacular fjord views, laid-back Danish charm, and a welcoming clubhouse overlooking North Jutland’s scenic waters.

Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Cloos Tower (Cloostårnet)

A brief summary to Cloos Tower

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Local bus from Frederikshavn

Bicycle from town

Car or taxi from Frederikshavn

Walking via forest paths

Cloos Tower location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Cloos Tower

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Cloos Tower

A hilltop landmark above Frederikshavn

A gift from the Cloos family

Architecture shaped for big skies

Horizons that stretch across Vendsyssel

Forest edge, playground and picnic green

Gateway to Bangsbo and the beech woods

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Frederikshavn Sogn

Fisketorvet

Frederikshavn Church

Frederikshavn St.

Cafe' Feen

Port of Frederikshavn

Mindesten for Laurits Thomsen

Bunker Ved Palmestranden

The Lady From The Sea

Mindesten for Klitplantør Thygeson

Kiosk v / The Buried Church

Skagen Havn

Enjoy Skagen

Galleri Bo

Sømærket Vin- & CiderBar

Unmissable attractions to see

Kongeegen

Fladbjerg gravhøj

Vandværksskoven

Gravplads fra jernalderen

Kystmuseet Bangsbo

Mindesten for V. VANGSTED

Boolsens Stenhave

Skovhuset

Bangsbo Botaniske Have

Mindesten for de 3

Pikkerbakken

Bangsbo Fort - Bunkermuseum

Blakshøj Jættestue

Triaden sculpture

Tordenskjold statue

Essential places to dine

KFUMs Soldaterhjem i Danmark

Heidis spisehus

Møllehuset - Restaurant i Bangsbo

Hotel Lisboa

Centergrillen

Skippers Grill

Restaurant NerD

Wasabi Sushi

Samgor

La Vida Cafe Restaurant Pizza Pasta Place

Madbaren no 13

2takt Café & Brasserie

WE MEAT Burger - Frederikshavn

Delicious Factory

Cafe Fru Olsen

Markets, malls and hidden boutiques

Living by Vanja

KiDS Cool Shop Frederikshavn

Danmission Op Shop

Frederikshavn Bazar

LePac

Kop & Kande

Zoey

Butik NEXT

INTERSPORT Frederikshavn

SOLO - Frederikshavn