Holiday apartment in Favrskov – Hiking, the Gudenå Valley and culture

Favrskov combines extensive paths along the water with historical sites and varied landscapes. Gudenåstien is a 175-kilometre-long hiking trail; its section in Favrskov leads from Laurbjerg through Ulstrup towards Bjerringbro. The Gudenå Dalstien also runs for 19.5 kilometres from Laurbjerg through Ulstrup towards Bjerringbro, along the southern bank of the Gudenå. It leads directly past Busbjerg and opens up a landscape experience through the valley shaped by the Gudenå. Busbjerg is 92 metres high and offers views across the Gudenå Valley.

Nature and trails

Favrskovruten is a network of trails with seven main routes connecting Favrskov through nature: Banestien, Gudenåstien, Lilleåstien, Øst-sporet, Vest-sporet, Skivholme-Voer Mølle and Søbyvad-Hinnerup. The landscape also includes the meadows, marshes and lakes of Alling Ådal. The Lilleå stretches for 37 kilometres from its source south of Lading through Hinnerup and Hadsten to its mouth at the Gudenå near Langå. In Hinnerup, a public path runs along the Lilleå. There are further access points to Lilleådalen at Nørregade; there is also a hiking route near Sahara Road.

Water and wildlife are also represented by dedicated offerings. Fiskeparken Svejstrup fishing park in Favrskov is a trout lake where fishing is possible year-round. Naturvejledning Favrskov offers public guided nature tours focusing on seasonal and common species as well as nature experiences and outdoor activities. On kayaking trips on the Gudenå and Nørreå, participants are introduced to kayaking and experience the animal and plant life above and below the water's surface.

Cycling

The Kulturringen cycling route runs across Favrskov. The Favrskov section can be divided into three stretches: from Pøt Mølle to the Gudenå over 18.7 kilometres, from the Gudenå to Laurbjerg over 24.4 kilometres, and from Laurbjerg to Clausholm, also over 24.4 kilometres.

For mountain bikes, there are two named routes in Hammel: Klintholmsporet, 4 kilometres long, and Hammel Mølleskov, 7 kilometres long. The route between Ulstrup and the Amstrup Bakker is approximately 3.5 kilometres long, runs as an intensive one-way course and offers many technical challenges in hilly terrain. In Hinnerup, a mountain-bike route of approximately 6.5 kilometres is technically demanding in several places; it starts and ends at Hinnerup Bibliotek & Kulturhus.

History and culture

Pøt Mølle is a historic watermill in hilly terrain at Granslev Ådal, surrounded by the Frijsenborg forests northeast of Hammel. The three-winged mill courtyard was built around 1890; the mill building is an exact copy of its predecessor, which burned down in 1954. Høj Stene, a reconstructed Iron Age burial monument, is located on the Gudenå near Vejerslev. It is situated directly by the Gudenå and the Trækstien, so a visit can be combined with a hike or canoe trip.

Søbygård preserves a medieval history but is not open to the public: the manor house and the medieval rampart area can only be viewed from the road. At the beginning of the 15th century, an unsuccessful attempt was made there to establish an Augustinian convent; by 1428, only one nun still lived there.

Near Hadsten stands Clausholm Castle, one of Denmark's best-preserved Baroque complexes from the 17th century. The complex is surrounded by a historic park and stories of royal love. Also in Hadsten, Modelbane Europa presents more than 80 trains and 100 years of railway history in model landscapes. Visitors can operate the East Jutland longitudinal railway in miniature themselves at the push of a button.

The history of Ulstrup Castle and its associated estate dates back to the end of the 14th century, when the first farm complex was built by the landowning Brandsen family. Today's Voldum Church was largely built in 1606 and was closely associated with Clausholm Castle. The church contains a carved altarpiece made by students of the workshop of Peder Jensen Kolding, as well as a richly carved pulpit from the early 17th century, supported by Moses with the tablets of the Law.

Events

The Busbjergspillene are held annually at Busbjerg: summer theatre performances whose long-standing tradition began in 1945. Hammel also hosts the annual Hammel Hestemarked, with a flea market, fairground rides, food stalls, animals and activities for children and adults.

Further places

Further local pages in Favrskov: Laurbjerg, Truust, Hadsten, Hammel, Ulstrup, Sporup, Hadbjerg, Hinnerup.

To the higher-level travel overview: Central Jutland.