Silkeborg Lakes

The Silkeborg Lakes are the heart of Søhøjlandet, the lake-and-hill district of central Jutland, and together they form one of Denmark's most scenic freshwater landscapes. The lakes stretch between the towns of Silkeborg and Ry, linked by the Gudenå, Denmark's longest river, and are known collectively as Silkeborgsøerne. They include Brassø, Julsø, Borre Sø and the long lake of Silkeborg Langsø, which divides the town of Silkeborg along an east-west axis. Set amid the country's largest forest district and rolling, lush terrain, the area is a natural playground for sailing, kayaking and hiking, and Silkeborg itself is often called Denmark's outdoor capital. A classic way to see the lakes is aboard the Hjejlen, the world's oldest still-operating paddle steamer, which sails from Silkeborg to Himmelbjerget, the 147-metre hill that was long regarded as Denmark's highest point. The town also offers the Silkeborg Museum, home to the remarkably preserved Tollund Man, one of the world's best-known bog bodies. Access to nature is free, while a trip on the Hjejlen starts from around 135 DKK. Summer is ideal for boating and water activities, and autumn brings striking colours to the surrounding forests. A local tip: take the Hjejlen out to Himmelbjerget and walk back through the woods, a route of roughly three hours that combines the water and the forest in a single day.