The Highland of lakes - I think that is the most beautiful...

The Highland of lakes - I think that is the most beautiful...

The heart will yearn and dream its dream,
which always will be new,
and once again the larks will sing
and sweeten the summer in Ry.

Albert Andersen - teacher on the college in Ry - is well known for his poems about the area. And Silkeborg - with its lakes and Denmark's only “river” Gudenå - offers a lot of great natural beauty, both on land at sea.They say Silkeborg is water dogs country, but it has certainly just as much to offer for those, who want to combine a visit with art or with a peek into a fascinating local history.

Go fishing in any of the most exciting fishing waters
Silkeborg Region is a gift for anglers. In lakes, rivers and streams you can catch a variety of species, ranging from shells to salmon, and the scenic surroundings invites to many hours with a fishing rod and a good lunch. You can book a guided guided fishing trip with local knowledge experts, hear all the wild stories about catches, storys about the water you move around in, plus advice on pitches and hotspots.
In addition, the area has plenty of Put and Take lakes that invites to experiences for the whole family - and we can almost guarantee you a freshly caught trout for supper. So whether you are a seasoned fisherman or want to make a faint attempt, then you have all the possibilities here.

Himmelbjerget
The 147 meter high hill at Julsø outside of the city Silkeborg has got a reputation as a national gathering point since the great constitutional meetings took place in the years 1862-1885. Poet and priest Steen Steensen Blicher called for national and international revival on Himmelbjerget for the first time in 1839. These meetings continued for years after, in order to change royal absolutism in Denmark. In 1849 the adoption of the Constitution set an end to the meetings.

But all the meetings created a new tradition of memorials on Himmelbjerget. First and fore most are Himmelbjerg Tower one of thoose. It was inaugurated in 1875 to commemorate the Constitution of 1849. Subsequently it became one of Denmark's first real tourist destinations. From 1891 the tourism slowly started sneaking up on top of the “mountain”, and there you will find  Hotel Himmelbjerget derived from the first pavilion built in 1865. With views of the Silkeborg lakes and a breathtaking scenery, you can enjoy to stay for a lunch in the heights.

Calling Himmelbjerget a mountain, is said to be an expression of the flat Danish humor, and the Danish countryside in particular. In the heights we Danes only come if we choose to travel to far higher mountains in the north or in the south.

Hjejlen
As the steamer Hjejlen was put on the lakes in 1861, it was a modern ship, and it was only the second steamship, built on the shipyard in Copenhagen. Today Hjejlen is the world's oldest steamship in operation. The steam engine was the best of the era, and it has worked ever since. The boiler has been replaced a few times, but there is still a lot of coal spend and hand on work in the engine. The paddle steamer has become a historical legend, and it works today as a kind of active museum. The audience can see the old well-maintained machine working, the coal which is used to keep the boiler going, the fine carvings on the ship and the amazing atmospheric cabin, which originally was intended for passengers on first class only. Hjejlen also helped to lay the foundations for what today is one of the largest jazz festivals, Riverboat Jazz Festival.

Art Centre Silkeborg Bath
Arnakke sources jumps with clear and ferrous water by the lake. It was a local business man Mr. Drewsen, who in the middle of the 1800s saw the sources as a potential health resort. However, it was a committee of mainly doctors, that after Mr. Drewsen's death, managed to get the state to aid for the project. The first of July 1883 the Silkeborg Vandkuranstalt opened.The place was said to ease the healing to contemporary lifestyle diseases, using something as exotic as skeletal and rain shower douche and electric baths. After 100 years of treatmens, the health treatments closed down and in 1992 the Art Centre Silkeborg Bath opened in the former spa houses.

Today the area offers a wide range of experiences. A fascinating historical look, with stories and pictures and buildings that have been lovingly renovated. Now they appear as back then where they where used for treaments. Visit the Arnakke sources which was one of the reasons the health resort occurred. It's easy to lose oneself in the fascinating history, but do not forget, that the place today is for art's sake. With constantly changing exhibitions is a living experience of art. Allow soul and mind to indulge. Should you fall in love with the place, and wish to spend a little more time, you can stay overnight.

Art Centre Silkeborg Bad offers rooms in the Societybuilding. You can stay in single and double rooms with private shower and toilet. Linked to the rooms, is a fully equipped communal kitchen. At room rental is included free admission to the exhibits at the Art Centre Silkeborg Bad.

Klostermølle
Klostermølle is situated where Gudenåen run into Mossø. The site was in the Middle Ages a Benedictine monastery. There is however, only a few remnants left. The monks dammed Gudenåen and led the water through a channel to the monastery. This could bring water to the mill and meadows where irrigated. In 1872 the mill was converted to a factory with production of pulp and paperboard. It functioned as such until 1973, when a fire halted the production. After the fire, the State bought the area for recreational purposes.

Today you can experience the monks 1.3 km long mill channel, the remains of the paper mill and the beautiful landscapes with vue of lake and river. A pleasant little museum is in the old mill building. Sounds from when the mill was active gives you an evocative visit. In the old dry barn it can be seen how cardboard and paper was hung out to dry. A bird tower was built in the north end of the 100 m long drying shed overlooking Klosterkær and Mossø. Next to this is a large campsite. It is used by tourists flying in Gudenåen in a canoe. The area is a fantastic experience and well worth a visit.