Nature
Nature
The summit of Himmelbjerget rises 147 m above sea level. The landscape is shaped after the last Ice Age, when the glacial streams under the ice excavated the stratum of the earth and created the hills and valleys. Lake Julsø is situated at the foot of Himmelbjerget in a glacial stream valley – a so-called subglacial stream trench. The terrain around the Himmelbjerget is kept clear of tree growth in order to set off the special terrain forms and the amazing view. Himmelbjerget is situated in a well-wooded area with hikes through the forests to both Silkeborg and Ry. The area around Himmelbjerget and Ry offers varied natural scenery, which you can enjoy on foot or by bicycle; beech forests, ranges of hills, valleys, and lakes – and naturally, the river Gudenåen, which winds through the landscape.
The area at Himmelbjerget
The area at Himmelbjerget
By the entrance area, when you arrive at Himmelbjerget, you will find parking lots, shops, a hotel, and possibilities for different activities. The shops sell food and drinks and you can admire the souvenir shops’ selection of local handicrafts. The area provides a lot of possibilities for relaxing on the big lawn under the beech trees, or the children can play in the playground. On special occasions, e.g. the annual Constitution Day meeting, arrangements are held at the slope in front of the beautiful rostrum. From the area, paths lead to the impressive view at the tower and to a little hike down to the bottom of the hill with the boats, Julsø Hotel, and the Jodle Birge Museum.
The playground
The playground
There is also a playground for the children on Himmelbjerget. It was renovated in 2014 inspired by Himmelbjergets history and traditional meeting place for open-air meetings and a political rally point. Thus, the playground is created with a number of social play equipments for groups of children; the childrens’ lectern and a scale model of the Himmelbjerg Tower, including a slide and play rooms.
The hotel
The hotel
Hotel Himmelbjerget, which is the highest located hotel in Denmark, is a small gem which lies in the scenic surroundings of Søhøjlandet with a beautiful view of Julsø. In Blichersalen at Hotel Himmelbjerget, you can see the painting depicting the poet priest Steen Steensen Blicher’s first open-air meeting on Himmelbjerget in 1839. The restaurant can receive up to 450 guests and is offering a wide selection of both international specialities and traditional Danish dishes. Hotel Himmelbjerget has 18 comfortable double, 3 and 4-person rooms, and all the rooms have a balcony with a panoramic view of Ry and the Silkeborg lakes with its unspoiled nature.
Trails and outdoor life
Trails and outdoor life
Today, Himmelbjerget is one of the most visited natural areas in Denmark. Several thousand visitors arrive every year by car, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
There are numerous possibilities for you to experience the area of Himmelbjerget, whether you hike or bike.
If you take the many car parks or the jetties of the Hjejle excursion boats as your starting point, you can experience the unique and hilly glacial landscape. The hike around Himmelbjerg Lakes is approximately 50 km. The more than 40-km-long hiking trial, Himmelbjergruten, has its starting point at Himmelbjerget and runs south of the Himmelbjerg Lakes to Silkeborg, and from Silkeborg north of the lakes to Ry. From Ry to Himmelbjerget, you can follow the hiking route Aarhus-Silkeborg back to Himmelbjerget.
Memorials
The memorials on Himmelbjerget bring witness to the historical importance of the area. The tower raised in memory of Frederik 7th and the Constitution of 1849 is by far the greatest memorial. But, in the surrounding lands of the “mountain”, several additional memorials for important persons and events have been raised, which have added to both the history of Himmelbjerget, and Denmark as a whole.
