Reviewed · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS
Lyngby & Bagsværd Lake: Baadfarten Boat Ride
The best part of this outing is its freedom. You can ride the full circuit through Mølleåen, Lyngby Lake, and Bagsværd Lake, or step ashore at places such as Sophienholm and Aldershvile before catching a later boat. I like the calm mix of forest, open parkland, and water, and I like that one ticket works all day.
The main drawback is timing. A boat can fill up, and one reported wait for the next return boat lasted about 1 hour and 20 minutes, even though the boat itself was only half full. Bring patience, especially if you plan to hop off at a popular stop.
Key points at a glance

- A full-day ticket: Ride the circuit or use the boat as transport between six lakeside stops.
- Mølleåen on the route: Enjoy a quiet waterway where natural scenery meets Denmark’s older mill-country setting.
- Sophienholm stop: Add an art exhibition, concert, or summer event to your boat ride.
- Aldershvile Park: Step ashore for open green space and a change from the water.
- Family-friendly format: Children aged 0 to 5 ride free with a paying adult.
- Important limitation: The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
Why this lake cruise works so well as a day out
Baadfarten is not just a sightseeing loop. It gives you a simple way to shape your own day around two lakes, a waterway, parks, and cultural stops. You can remain aboard for a relaxing round trip, or treat the boat as a hop-on, hop-off link between the shore attractions.
That flexibility matters. A standard cruise often asks you to follow one fixed schedule from start to finish. Here, you can get off when the weather is pleasant, spend time beside the water, and return to the pier later. The ticket is valid for one day, so you are not forced to make every stop in a single circuit.
The setting changes gently as you go. Mølleåen offers a quieter, narrower stretch, while the lakes give you broader views across the water. Along the banks, you will see wooded areas and open green spaces, including Aldershvile park. It is an easy way to enjoy nature without arranging a separate excursion outside the Lyngby area.
The boat ride also suits families because it combines movement with choice. Children can enjoy the boat itself, while adults can decide how much time to spend walking, looking at art, or simply sitting beside the lake. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to bring or buy refreshments during your time ashore.
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Starting at Sorgenfrivej in Lyngby

The activity begins at Den Fælleskommunale Bådfart, at Sorgenfrivej 23, 2800 Lyngby. This is also where the ride ends, so you can leave your main day plan here and return to the same point after the circuit.
Your ticket is valid for one day, but you should check the available starting times before booking. The supplied information does not give one fixed departure schedule, and the practical value of the ticket depends on how well the boats line up with your plans.
The host or greeter speaks Danish, and the tour language is Danish. An English pamphlet about the main sights is included, which gives you basic context as you travel. If you want a guided narration in English, this is not the right choice. The experience is mainly about the scenery and the freedom to explore at your own pace.
I would arrive with a rough plan rather than a strict minute-by-minute schedule. Decide which stop matters most to you, then treat the remaining stops as optional. That approach makes the day easier if a later boat is delayed or full.
The Mølleåen stretch and Lyngby Lake

One of the most appealing parts of the route is the passage along Mølleåen. The waterway offers a peaceful break from city sightseeing, with trees, open views, and a slower rhythm than you get on a busy harbor cruise.
The route then reaches Lyngby Lake, where the water opens out and the ride becomes more about broad lakeside scenery. This is a good section for staying aboard and letting the day settle into a quiet pattern. You can watch the banks pass by, read the English pamphlet, and enjoy the fact that nobody is asking you to keep moving.
The Lyngby Lake stop is one of the points where you can hop off and explore the shore. The information provided does not specify a walking route or exact attraction at this stop, so I would use it as a flexible pause rather than building your entire day around a particular sight.
For families, this first part of the cruise can be the easiest introduction to the boat. You get the pleasure of being on the water without committing to a long excursion away from the starting point. If younger children lose interest, you can use a later stop to stretch your legs.
Nybrovej and Frederiksdal

Nybrovej is another hop-on, hop-off point on the route. It works best for visitors who want to divide the ride into smaller sections. Get off here if you want a break from the boat, or remain aboard and continue toward Frederiksdal.
Frederiksdal is connected with Sinatur Hotel & Konference and gives the route another useful stopping point for a shore excursion. The available information does not list specific hotel facilities included with the ticket, so do not treat the stop as a guaranteed meal or accommodation visit. Its value is mainly the chance to step off near this part of the lakeside route.
These middle stops show why the ticket is more useful than a simple one-way cruise. You can create a short ride, a longer round trip, or a full-day outing with several pauses. I would not try to visit every stop in depth. The experience is strongest when you choose one or two places and leave enough time for the boat schedule.
A possible problem is that a hop-on ticket gives you more freedom than certainty. If the next boat is not soon, your carefully timed plan may turn into a longer wait. Keep your schedule loose, and make sure everyone in your group is comfortable with pauses between departures.
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Bagsværdvej and the open green spaces near Aldershvile
The Bagsværdvej stop brings you into the Bagsværd Lake part of the route. Here, the scenery continues to shift between woodland and open areas, giving the cruise a pleasant sense of movement without dramatic changes or constant commentary.
Aldershvile is one of the more appealing stops for anyone who wants a proper stretch of the legs. Aldershvile Slotspavillon and the surrounding park provide a change from the boat’s enclosed setting, with open green space and a chance to spend time outdoors.
The park is a good choice if your ideal day includes a little walking but not a demanding hike. The supplied information does not give distances, trail conditions, or a detailed walking itinerary, so you should think of it as a scenic shore stop rather than a fully planned nature tour.
I like this part of the route because it gives the day some balance. A boat ride alone can become repetitive after a while. A park stop breaks up the sitting time and lets you enjoy the lakeside from another angle.
Sophienholm, the cultural stop on the route

Sophienholm is the most distinctive stop for visitors who want culture mixed with their time outdoors. It hosts art exhibitions, concerts, and events during the summer, giving you a reason to leave the boat and spend a longer stretch ashore.
Check what is scheduled before you go, since the exact exhibition or event is not included in the ticket information. Your boat fare covers the cruise, but food, drinks, and any separate event costs are not included.
This stop can turn a simple boat ride into a more rounded day. You might begin with the water, visit an exhibition at Sophienholm, then return to the pier for another section of the route. Or you can remain aboard and save the cultural visit for another trip.
Sophienholm is also where a little planning pays off most. If an event has a set start time, check the boat departures carefully and leave room for waiting. A missed boat could mean a long pause before the next one. The reported 1 hour and 20 minute wait is a useful warning, even though it does not mean every departure will involve that delay.
Riding the full circuit without getting off

You do not need to use the ticket as a transport pass. Staying aboard for the complete circuit is a perfectly sensible choice, especially if you want a calm sightseeing break with no extra planning.
The full route returns to Den Fælleskommunale Bådfart at Sorgenfrivej. During the circuit, you will pass through Mølleåen, Lyngby Lake, and Bagsværd Lake, with views of forest, open green areas, and the shore locations listed along the way.
This option works well when the weather is pleasant and you want to rest your feet. It also suits anyone who prefers a simple activity rather than a day built around several visits. The boat provides the structure, while the changing views keep the ride from feeling like a static lake crossing.
The main thing to watch is the boat capacity. A full boat may affect where you sit or how easily you can board after getting off. If you have a fixed return plan, avoid making the final departure too close to another reservation.
What the $20 ticket is really worth

At $20 per person, the ticket is reasonably priced if you use it for several hours or make more than one boat journey. The value comes from the combination of transport and sightseeing. You are not paying only for a short cruise, but for access to a full day of possible stops around both lakes.
The price is less compelling if you plan to remain aboard for only a brief ride. In that case, you are paying for the full-day flexibility without using much of it. I would book it when you want a relaxed half-day or full-day outing, especially if Sophienholm or Aldershvile is part of your plan.
Children aged 0 to 5 ride free when accompanied by a paying adult, which helps families keep the cost under control. Older children and adults need their own tickets.
The ticket does not include meals, drinks, or any separate admission connected with an event. Bring a simple plan for refreshments, and remember that the route itself is the central product. You are paying for the boat, the views, and the freedom to get on and off, not for a guided attraction at every pier.
Timing, comfort, and the one real caution
The boat trip is easygoing, but the schedule deserves attention. A boat may not be ready when you reach a stop, and a later service may have limited room. One reported experience involved a roughly 1 hour and 20 minute wait for the return boat, even with apparent space aboard. That kind of delay can be harmless if you have time, but frustrating if you have dinner plans or a timed event.
I would use the hop-on system with a generous buffer. If you visit Sophienholm for a concert or event, do not plan to catch the last possible boat. If you are simply enjoying the day, the wait becomes easier because you can use the time for a walk or a quiet pause by the water.
The activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. That is important to consider before booking, particularly if boarding, getting off, or moving around the stops could be difficult for anyone in your group.
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your plans are still taking shape. These policies make the ticket less risky, but they do not remove the need to check departure times and plan around the boat schedule.
Who should book the Baadfarten ride
I would recommend this experience to you if you want a gentle outdoor day near Lyngby rather than a tightly guided sightseeing tour. It suits families, couples, and anyone who enjoys water views, parks, and the option to stop for culture along the way.
It is especially good for:
- A relaxed family outing with a mix of sitting and shore time
- Visitors who want to see Mølleåen and both lakes in one activity
- Anyone planning to visit Sophienholm
- People who prefer flexible sightseeing to a fixed group schedule
- Visitors with enough time to handle a possible wait between boats
I would think twice if you need English commentary, have limited mobility, or must arrive at a later appointment at a precise time. The Danish-speaking service and English pamphlet give you basic help, but this is not a detailed English-language guided tour.
Should you book this lake boat ride?
Book it if you can give the day room to breathe. The best use of the $20 ticket is a relaxed circuit with one or two well-chosen stops, especially Sophienholm or Aldershvile. You get attractive water views, the quiet character of Mølleåen, and a simple way to combine nature with a cultural visit.
Skip it if you want a fast, tightly timed attraction with constant narration. Baadfarten works because it is unhurried and flexible, but that same quality can mean waiting for the next boat. Bring patience, check the schedule, and you will have a pleasant day on the lakes.
FAQ
Where does the Baadfarten boat ride start and end?
The ride starts at Den Fælleskommunale Bådfart, Sorgenfrivej 23, 2800 Lyngby, and ends back at the same meeting point.
How long is the ticket valid?
The ticket is valid for one day. Check availability for the current starting times.
Can I get on and off the boat?
Yes. You can hop on or off at Lyngby Sorgenfrivej, Frederiksdal, Nybro, Bagsværdvej, Aldershvile, or Sophienholm.
Which lakes and waterways does the boat visit?
The route travels along Mølleåen, Lyngby Lake, and Bagsværd Lake.
Is an English-speaking guide included?
The host or greeter speaks Danish, and the activity language is Danish. An English pamphlet about the main sights is included.
Are children free?
Children aged 0 to 5 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Is the boat ride suitable for people with mobility impairments?
No. The activity is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
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