Discover Kongensbro: the Gudenå, hiking trails and history

The Gudenå, riverside paths and the history of its crossings are at the heart of the area around Kongensbro. On foot, the Trækstien extends far beyond the town; the northern canoe route on the Gudenå also reaches Kongensbro. Historic sites and objects tell the stories of travellers and the river’s former working life. Depending on whether you want to hike, paddle or learn about this history, you can focus your trip planning in different ways.

Hiking between Silkeborg and Randers

The Trækstien is a 70-kilometre hiking trail between Silkeborg and Randers. It runs close alongside the Gudenå and through varied natural landscapes. For the stretch between Silkeborg and Kongensbro, the expectation is that the path is dry and passable for around ten months of the year. This is an approximate, seasonal guide; conditions may vary. Check the current path conditions before your hike.

Another named hiking experience is Krominoen: this day hike covers 21.1 kilometres from Silkeborg to Kongensbro. By contrast, the Trækstien distance refers to the longer route between Silkeborg and Randers. The routes can therefore be distinguished by their respective endpoints and lengths, without combining the details into a single route. The Krominoen day-hike package includes breakfast and lunch, as well as a draft beer or a non-alcoholic drink. After the hike, coffee and cake are served at Kongensbro Kro. As the included services may change, confirm what the package includes before planning your trip.

A 2019 description notes that there are no steps or stairs along the Trækstien, including on the long raised wooden section. It describes the route as suitable for strollers, bicycles, wheelchairs and walking frames. Local conditions may change. However, the general suitability description does not mean that cycling is allowed on every section: it is prohibited between Kongensbro and Randers because the path is designated as a track through a protected area. Follow the local signs there.

Canoe route and riverside accommodation

The northern canoe route on the Gudenå includes a seven-kilometre stretch from Tvilum Bro to Kongensbro. At Kongensbro, the route passes under the road between Århus and Viborg. This identifies a specific stretch of the route for paddlers; the distance given is not the length of the entire canoe route.

Kongensbro campsite is right on the Gudenå and is a seasonal overnight stop for travellers with canoes or kayaks. Facilities include a toilet block, water, fire pits, tables and benches, and electricity. Advance booking is required to stay in the Kongensbro shelters. As facilities and booking conditions may change, check the details before your stay.

From the campsite, follow the Trækstien north under the bridge. After about one kilometre, you will reach a bench and an information board. Another 150 metres to the east is a clearing in the coniferous forest. There, Stævnstenen and the Rælingssteine form Denmark’s second-largest ship setting. The site is in a private forest.

Inn, river crossing and cultural heritage

The history of an inn in Kongensbro dates back to 1663. King Frederik III then granted Ebbe Gyldenstierne the right to operate an inn on the bank of the Gudenå. For a long time, Kongensbro was a transport hub on the river: travellers could cross the Gudenå and eat at the inn. Historically, the important road between Århus and Viborg also crossed the Gudenå at Kongensbro.

Another testament to the history of the landscape is the 800-metre-long dam between Kongensbro and Tange. It dammed the Gudenå, creating Tange Sø. The connection between the river, the structure and the lake adds another historical dimension to the riverside area.

A 2020 description locates Æ Swot man south of Kongensbro and reports that the object had recently been restored and reinstalled with new signage. Æ Swot man is a tarred post with an attached iron roller. Boat haulers used the roller with a rope to steer barges around bends in the river. The object thus connects the river landscape with the former work that supported traffic on the Gudenå.

Discover more destinations: Gjern Municipality, Kjellerup, Them Municipality, Linå, Bryrup, Virklund, Ans, Bording.

For the broader travel overview: Silkeborg Municipality.