Ry: Hiking trails, culture and experiences on the water

Discover Ry through its hiking trails, cultural sites and experiences on the water. Routes range from the approximately 10-kilometre Ry Højskole Loop to considerably longer trails; there are also public cultural programmes and trips on historic ships. When planning, therefore, consider the route length, dates and conditions for taking part.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

The Gudenåstien is a continuous 175-kilometre trail that was inaugurated in Ry. It is divided into 18 stages, each 6 to 14 kilometres long. In Ry, you can extend the Gudenåstien to 200 kilometres by walking both trails around the Himmelbjerg lakes.

The Himmelbjergruten is about 52 kilometres long in total. It runs from Ry along the north side of the Himmelbjerg lakes to Silkeborg, then returns to Himmelbjerget along the south side of the lakes. A shorter circular route is the Ry Højskole Loop: about 10 kilometres long, it follows a walking route around Ry near Ry Højskole. There are eight story stations along the route; it is not marked with posts or pictograms. Before setting out, check the current trail conditions, as they may change.

In summer, Skimminghøj Bådhus serves as a place to rest and meet for hikers, cyclists, canoeists and tourists. The public Skimminghøj campsite offers modern toilet and bathing facilities.

Experiences on the water

Ry Kano rents out canoes and kayaks for trips on the Gudenåen. Ry is also one of several possible starting points for canoe trips along the river. In the centre of Ry is Anna Klindt Sørensens Have, a small town park. Canoeists can use its landing stage on the lake for a break or a coffee stop.

A trip on Hjejlen travels along the Gudenåen from Ry to Himmelbjerget. Hjejlen has been operating since 1861 and is the world's oldest coal-fired paddle steamer. If you are planning a trip, check the current timetable in advance. Nearby Himmelbjerget offers views from its tower over Julsø, the forests and the surrounding countryside.

Culture and local history

Ry Kirke was officially inaugurated on 31 October 1909. It became known as “Kvindernes Kirke” (“The Women's Church”) because of the women's association's significant contribution to funding its construction. The church also hosts cultural activities and groups centred on singing, music, literature and film; check the current programme before your visit.

Ry Højskole is a Grundtvigian folk high school founded in 1892. It regularly opens its doors to the public for events including talks, concerts, theatre performances and discussion evenings. As the public programme is subject to change, it is worth checking the calendar before your visit.

The history of shipping is also part of Ry. Gl. Turisten was built in 1922 for tourist excursion trips between Ry and Himmelbjerget. In 2012, the Ship Preservation Foundation (Skibsbevaringsfonden) designated it a “Historic Monument”. Gl. Turisten is not a scheduled service boat: each year, it makes 40 to 50 educational trips for school classes, sponsors, donors and members of Ferskvandsmuseumsforeningen.

Anna Klindt Sørensens Have is named after the painter Anna Klindt Sørensen. She wished her estate and Villa Petersborg to be made into a museum and a bequest-funded residence for women artists.

Getting there and your stay

Ry has a train connection to Aarhus. If you are looking for a hotel in Ry, first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on hiking, cultural activities or experiences on the water. The trail lengths, event dates and different conditions for taking part offer practical guidance.

Discover more destinations: Kongensbro, Svostrup, Linå, Svejbæk, Them Municipality, Ans, Funder, Fårvang

For the broader travel overview: Silkeborg Municipality.