Gribskov, Denmark

Gribskov is Denmark's fourth largest forest, comprising a sprawling 5,600 hectares of woodland. While the natural beauty is undeniable, navigating the bureaucracy of owning property in this protected area can be a persistent headache. The forest is crisscrossed by an astounding 526 kilometers of artificial drainage ditches, a legacy of past efforts to drain wetlands for commercial forestry. Today, authorities are working to restore more natural waterflows, but this transition has been slow and uneven. For those willing to contend with the paperwork, Gribskov offers the chance to live surrounded by diverse wildlife, including the largest free-roaming population of fallow deer in Denmark. But this rural idyll is not for the faint of heart.