Viborg Municipality: Nature, Trails and Culture

The Mønsted-Daugbjerg Limestone Mines area is one of Europe’s most important wintering grounds for bats: more than 12,000 bats from five species spend the winter there. Nature, hiking trails and cultural history offer different ways to experience Viborg Municipality on your trip. When planning, consider whether you mainly want to explore landscapes, follow a route or set aside time for museums and historic sites.

Nature and distinctive landscapes

Viborg Nature Park consists of several natural areas around Viborg rather than one single, continuous park. The municipality offers nature experiences by fjords, lakes and rivers, as well as in heathland, forests and parks. The area around Hald Sø is designated a national geological area of interest and is of international importance.

At the Mønsted and Daugbjerg Limestone Mines, visitors can explore several kilometres of open mine passages. For a different landscape, visit Birkesø: a marked 2.5-kilometre hiking route leads through an area of lake and heathland, with views of Jordbro Ådal. At the northern end of the lake, there is a sandy beach and a public bathing site. Viborg Municipality has a total of 14 bathing sites at lakes and the fjord, with information about facilities and bathing water profiles available for them.

Routes with different character

Himmerlandsstien is a scenic route between Viborg and Hvam. There are rest areas, fire pits and fire huts along the way. Overnight stays in shelters or tent areas are possible at some locations; drinking water and toilets are available at a few. Trækstien is an original hiking trail that runs along the Gudenå and offers a variety of nature experiences.

The routes also differ in length and use: Arnbjergruten is a 4.9-kilometre combined walking and cycling route between Søndersø and the new Arnbjerg district. On Hærvejen, you can hike and cycle along more than 500 kilometres of signposted routes. Kalk Kaminoen passes through extensive heathland in Central Jutland, through Kongenshus Memorial Park and by the Mønsted Limestone Mines.

You can also explore the history of the landscape along the way. Vandmølleruten passes three former watermills: Søndermølle, Bruunshaab Gl. Papfabrik and Rindsholm Mølle. All three were major mills powered by water. Kjællinghøl Tour, meanwhile, is a relaxing circular route between Bjerringbro and Kjællinghøl that crosses Kjællinghøl Bridge.

Experience history and culture

In Viborg, Domkirkekvarteret combines the city’s history with a self-guided route: ten stops offer an insight into the neighbourhood’s 1,000-year history. You can access the route through Storyhunt in your browser or in the app. Viborg Cathedral was originally built in the Romanesque style in the 12th to 13th centuries; its crypt is the oldest part and dates back almost 900 years. The cathedral is closed to visitors during church services.

At Skovgaard Museum, you can discover Danish Golden Age art and modern contemporary art, particularly works by Joakim Skovgaard and his family. The museum is about a ten-minute walk from Viborg station, via the pedestrian zone. Viborg Kunsthal hosts changing exhibitions by Danish and international visual artists. Accompanying events include artist talks, lectures, concerts and workshops.

De fem Halder traces 800 years of power and history, from the Middle Ages through the Reformation to modern times. Walks through the landscape pass restored ruins, a Baroque garden, an exhibition and a historic playground; there is also a family treasure hunt. At Hvolris, archaeological excavations lie right next to a reconstructed Iron Age village. During the summer and autumn holidays, you can enjoy living Iron Age experiences there, with families living in the village according to Iron Age ways of life. Check current dates before your visit.

Vingaards Officin combines a printing museum with a working workshop. The exhibition explores the more than 500-year history of book printing and practical graphic printing techniques. For a different perspective on city life, enjoy a beer tapas at Viborg Bryghus and sample a range of beers from Viborg. The Viborg Beer Walk takes you to six stops featuring offerings from breweries, cafés, restaurants and pubs; along the way, you can sample different beers. Participating venues and conditions may change.

Consider your arrival and hotel location

There are direct train connections from Viborg to Aarhus, Skive and Struer. Local buses serve Viborg and the surrounding area; they are yellow and have single-digit route numbers, for example, route 1. Train and bus connections and timetables can change, so check them before travelling. When choosing a hotel, it is helpful to first decide which excursions and routes matter most to you, then consider which transport connections suit your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bjerringbro, Tange, Skals, Løgstrup, Lynderup, Hjarbæk, Møldrup, Viborg, Rødkærsbro, Rødding, Tjele, Stoholm, Karup Municipality.

For the overview of the wider region: Central Jutland.