Hiking by Gudenåen

The Gudenåen springs area is iconic! Denmark’s longest river – Gudenåen – originates just a few hundred meters apart and runs to the east, and Denmark’s most water-rich river – Skjern å – runs to the west. Down between the two springs runs the ancient Hærvej. There is a small parking lot close to the springs. If you want to walk further, there is a parking lot for long-term parking at Koutrupgaard.

Uldum Kær is Denmark’s largest fen area. A 1200 ha large contiguous marsh area between Tørring and Uldum, through which the river Gudenåen flows. The large meadow areas give rise to a plant and animal life that is particularly worthy of preservation. With respect for nature, Uldum Kær has been made accessible to visitors. This makes it possible to get around all corners of the pond via roads and paths. For example, park here in the middle of the pond.

The area around Klostermølle is incredibly beautiful and suitable for walks. Here, where Gudenåen flows into Denmark’s fourth largest lake, Mossø. Go up to the Sukkertoppen viewpoint and see Gudenåen to the south, Mossø to the northeast and the old pilgrim church Sct. Søren in Gl. Rye to the north. Although nature seems vast here, Klostermølle has seen human activity since the Stone Age. In the Middle Ages there was a monastery, Voer Kloster, which built a mill that was later used as a paper mill. Today there is a large, protected drying barn on the site, with a bird tower at one end.

The area around Himmelbjerget is unique in terms of landscape and nature. Ownership varies from privately owned, foundation-owned to state-owned. Several marked hiking routes starting from the different parking lots ensure access across ownership boundaries. At the top there is a large parking lot operated by the Tower Committee, a hotel, several kiosks, a large playground and not least the Himmelbjergtårnet tower. At the foot of Himmelbjerget there is a jetty for the Hjejle boats.

Silkeborg is surrounded by nature and there are plenty of opportunities for shorter and longer walks. Silkeruten, Østerskoven, Vesterskoven, Almind Lake round, Sindbjerg and Stoubjerg. Silkeborg Municipality has updated the trails in terms of accessibility, so if you come with a stroller or in a wheelchair, you can use the Danish Nature Agency’s map udinaturen.dk.

There are several opportunities to go hiking at Tange Lake. Park at Kongensbro and walk to the large reconstruction of an Iron Age ship settlement, Høj Stene. Or park in the parking lot by the bridge over Tange Lake and take a walk in the deciduous forest along the lake (photo). Or park in the parking lot of the Engergi Museum/Gudenåcentral and walk out onto the impressive dam.

From the Busbjerg viewpoint, you can see all the way to Randers and Viborg in good weather. The 92 meter high hill was created during the Ice Age when the ice removed the landscape around it. There are good opportunities for a walk on the marked trails that start at the parking lot at Hagenstrupvej. Busbjerg is a heath landscape with heather, which in late summer colors the entire landscape a beautiful purple. You can also visit nearby Kjællinghøl, where there are also good opportunities for walks.

Langå Egeskov is a living Golden Age painting! Here you’ll find a distinctive, crooked forest image as we know it from the Golden Age painters. A cattle-ridden oak forest from the days of the land community in the years before 1800, when Langå farmers’ animals grazed in the common pasture in Langå Egeskov in the summer. The old, overgrown “outfield” is 17 hectares. Owned since 1992 by the Nature Foundation under the Danish Society for Nature Conservation – and one of the few forests in Denmark with the right to graze cattle as in the old days.

Aage V. Jensen Nature Foundation is behind the restoration of the 328 hectares of meadows and wetlands on both sides of the river Gudenå between Langå and Randers. Hornbæk Enge, Væth Enge and Vorup Enge – together the Gudenå meadows. In the period 2003-2008, Water Environment Plan projects were initiated with the aim of minimizing the supply of nutrients to the Gudenå River itself. As a result of this work, valuable water bodies and wet meadows have been restored, where birdlife, small animals and flora have improved living conditions and can now develop freely.The proximity to Randers City gives the areas great recreational importance. Newly renovated footpaths lead around the area, where raised wooden platforms and bird towers secure the view near Gudenå. Grazing ensures the open meadow character of the meadows.