Punzel Scandinavian

In the time of long ago, Lodespar Mountain pushed forth to form the western edge of a timeless land known as the Tidendal Valley. Magnificent pines and hardwoods grew, pure streams formed pristine ponds, and the animals, birds and ancient people reveled in nature’s beauty. Thus began the enchanted saga that surrounds the present home of Punzel’s Cottage, Lodespar Mountain and the Tidendal Woods located south of Traverse City, Michigan.

Alf Nordstrom, a woodsman, immigrated from Sweden in 1870 to homestead the Tidendal Woods and build a cottage beside the beautiful heart-shaped pond as documented in The Legend of Punzel’s Pond by Judy Hauser. To this day, his grandniece, Punzel, and her family maintain the old woodland trails, ponds, streams, herb and flower gardens and original cottage.

A visitor’s adventure begins at the wooden footbridge which leads guests from the parking lot to Punzel’s Cottage where one can buy Scandinavian handicrafts and enjoy a gourmet lunch, fika, or Cave Dweller's Picnic featuring exotic greens and edible flowers cultivated by the “elves” of the Magical Growing House. Guests participate in a living folk tale when they are invited for a stroll down Drekel’s Footpath through the Magical Daisy Ring, and continue alongside the beautiful heart-shaped pond toward the Tiden Waterfall by Drekel’s Cave in Lodespar Mountain. There, according to legend, the ancestors of a clan of Norwegian miner trolls remain to this day. The more adventurous guest may also decide upon a woodland trek along Willow’s Way bordering Leaning Tree Pond.

Punzel's Cottage is located at 8720 County Road 633,
5 miles north of Buckley, Michigan, 49620.

Cottage hours Monday through Saturday 1-4 p.m. May 1 through December 23.

Winter hours by appointment. Lunch reservations, please call 231-263-7427 or

e-mail us at magic@punzelslegends.com. To locate us on the map, click here.