Overview
With more than 50 lakes and a forest area that stretches on more than 224 square kilometres, the Silkeborg Lake District (Søhøjlandet) is the largest natural area in Denmark – perfect for a relaxed walking vacation. Walk to the top of Himmelbjerget, which with its height of 147m, is one of the highest natural points in the Danish landscape, offering lovely views over the entire lake district. Experience the famous Danish hygge in the old inns. Hygge is a unique Danish and Norwegian word that means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.
- Silkeborg Lake District
- Himmelbjerget
- Trækstien trail
- Gudenåen, Denmark’s longest river
- Viborg
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Ry
Your hiking holiday starts in the lakeside town of Ry. Depending on whether you are travelling by public transport or by car, your accommodation will be either in the centrally located Hotel Ry or in Knudhule Badehotel, which is situated by Knudsø about two kilometres from the centre of the village. We try to book Knudhule Badehotel if you arrive by car.
- Accommodation: Knudhule Badehotel or Hotel Ry or similar in Ry
Day 2: Ry – Himmelbjerget – Gammel Rye | 15km
If you are staying at Knudhule Badehotel, your first day’s walk begins with a pleasant stroll along the shore of Lake Knudsø into the village of Ry. From the centre of Ry, you cross the bridge that divides the lakes Lillesø and Ry Mølle Sø. You then turn westwards along forest paths toward Himmelbjerget. After about 9km, a steep path takes you from the shore of Lake Julsø, the top of Himmelbjerget (147m). Visit the small shops selling souvenirs and snacks and read about the historical folk meetings on the “mountain”. You might also climb the Himmelbjerg Tower to get the ultimate view over the Lake District. To reach your accommodation in Gammel Rye, you will walk a further 3km southwards along forest paths to the village.
- Walking for the day: 15km, 4h, ↑200m ↓150m
- Accommodation: Lyng Dal Hotel or similar in Gammel Rye
Day 3: Gammel Rye – Silkeborg | 21km
Today’s route will take you through the Lake District along a well-marked path, which meanders through the forest and along the serene shores of numerous lakes. From Himmelbjerget, you descend to the edge of Julsø lake, where the ferries dock at Hotel Julsø. From here, you continue along a small path that runs along the banks of Julsø with stunning views over the lake. Shortly after, you reach the Skyttehuset campsite at the Svejbæk passage. Here you can enjoy a refreshment in the café that has a lovely lake view. You can also take a small solar-powered ferry or rent a rowing boat and row to the other side of the Svejbæk passage (88m) to have a bite to eat at Ålekroen – an old inn with tables by the water, which is renowned for its great food. The next section takes you along the lakes of Borre Sø and Slåen Sø. The water in Slåen Sø is said to be so fresh and clean that you can drink it! Next, you continue along a narrow strip of land between lakes Brassø and Vejlsø to the banks of Denmark’s longest river – Gudenåen. You follow the riverside path along Gudenåen into the heart of the beautifully located town of Silkeborg. If you wish to shorten your walk today, you can jump on one of the historic steamboats and enjoy a gentle cruise to the Lake District capital of Silkeborg.
- Walking for the day: 21km, 5h, ↑270m ↓315m
- Accommodation: Gl. Skovridergaard Hotel or Vejlsøhus similar in Silkeborg
Day 4: Silkeborg – Svostrup | 12km
From Silkeborg, you continue along Gudenåen following Trækstien. Historically, the trail was created for horses and bargemen, who once pulled great barges filled with goods between the towns of Silkeborg and Randers. Over the last few years, the trail has been extensively renovated with a raised gravel track enabling you to walk with dry feet in this flood-prone area. On the first part of the track, you walk along Lake Silkeborg Langsø before continuing along Gudenåen. Shortly before Svostrup, the river widens out in the lake Sminge Sø, famous for its birdlife, which you can observe from a bird tower. Shortly after that, you reach the old inn, Svostrup Kro, where you overnight.
- Walking for the day: 12km, 4h, ↑48m ↓48m
- Accommodation: Svostrup Kro or similar in Svostrup
Day 5: Svostrup – Kongensbro | 10km
Today you continue towards Kongensbro. Shortly after having left Svostrup, you will see Tvilum church on the opposite side of the river. The church was built in 1250 as an abbey for the Order of Saint Augustine. It was also used for an overnight stay by the king of Denmark in medieval times, on his travels around Jutland. You continue your walk along the river in an idyllic and peaceful landscape, finishing up at Kongensbro Kro, another charming inn with an atmosphere of times long gone by.
- Walking for the day: 10km, 3h, ↑41m ↓44m
- Accommodation: Kongensbro Kro or similar in Kongensbro
Day 6: Kongensbro – Bjerringbro | 18km
From Kongensbro Kro, you continue along Trækstien, pass a bridge to the village of Ans, where it’s possible to take a small detour for lunch at the local inn. After Ans, you reach Tange Sø and follow the trail along the eastern side of the lake, and you reach Gudenåcentralen – the largest hydroelectric power station in Denmark, which opened in 1921. The power station is now home to an Energy Museum, with cafés and a variety of experiences for the whole family. After another 4km along Gudenåen, you reach the riverside town of Bjerringbro for your last night in Denmark’s Lake District.
- Walking for the day: 18km, 5h, ↑94m ↓104m
- Accommodation: Holmriis B&B or similar in Bjerringbro
Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
On this walking holiday, you will be staying in comfortable hotels and charming local inns (kro in Danish) – all with ensuite facilities. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
- Knudhule Badehotel or Hotel Ry (Ry)
- Lyng Dal Hotel (Gammel Rye)
- Gl. Skovridergaard Hotel or Vejlsøhus (Silkeborg)
- Svostrup Kro (Svostrup)
- Kongensbro Kro (Kongensbro)
- Holmriis B&B (Bjerringbro)
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should be bought from local shops. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or restaurants in the village near your hotel.
Difficulty and terrain
This holiday is appropriate for moderately experienced walkers (no high mountain experience required, no steep ascents or descents) and requires a basic fitness level. Walks have a relaxed pace with time to take in the views and surroundings (read more about difficulty grades). The trails are very well marked and easy to follow. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any day from Tuesday to Saturday from the beginning of April until the end of September. Denmark’s weather is mild in the summer and cold in the winter, with western winds blowing warm air across most of the country. The warmest month is July, with an average temperature of 17-18C. For more information, please see our blog on the Best time to go to Denmark.
Please note that the accommodations along this route have limited capacity and fill up quickly in the summer months. Therefore, we advise to book well in advance.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended arrival and departure airports for this holiday are Aarhus, Billund, Aalborg, Copenhagen or Hamburg in Germany.
By train or bus
Arrival
- From Aarhus Airport – take bus 122 to Aarhus Rutebilstation (departing every 2h, journey time 1 hr). Then train from Aarhus H to Ry (departing every hour, journey 30min).
- From Billund Airport – first, take bus no. 43 to Vejle (bus runs every 30min, journey time 30min). From there, you take a train to Ry, with change at Skanderborg (departing every hour, journey time less than 1h).
- From Copenhagen Airport – take a train to Ry, with a change in Skanderborg (departing every hour, journey time 3h).
- From Aalborg Airport – take bus 71 to Aalborg Busterminal. Then take a train to Ry, with a change in Aarhus (departing every hour, journey time 2.5h approx). From Ry train station you can either walk the last 2,5km to the hotel or take a taxi.
Departure
- There is a train station in Bjerringbro where you can catch a train for your onward journey.
See up-to-date train schedules here: https://www.dsb.dk/en/.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 nights accommodation in private rooms
- 6 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (1 pc up to 20kg per person)
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided locally
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Ferry, bus and other public transport
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes & entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- Supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room / single use of a double room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Printed tour documents at the first accommodation
