Hornbæk Plantation was planted around 1793 as a protection against the encroaching dunes. Robust pine trees grow on the side nearest the coast whereas on the other side of Nordre Strandvej typical Danish forest trees such as birch, beech, oak, Scotch pine and common spruce can be found.
The many burial mounds, including numerous Bronze Age mounds, bear witness to the history of Hornbæk as far back as 3500 BC.