Discover Grønhøj

Grønhøj offers something for travelers with a range of interests: the history of the Potato Germans, several exhibitions and hiking trails sit alongside a golf club and bus connections to Viborg and Herning. If you are planning a stay, you can decide whether to focus mainly on settlement history, nature or outdoor activities.

Settlement History and the Potato Germans

Grønhøj was founded in the 1760s by the Potato Germans. The settlers wanted to grow potatoes on the Jutland heath. Around 1770, the settlement was called Frederikshøj; its farms were almost identical and stood along three straight, parallel streets. This historic layout offers a glimpse into the early form of the settlement.

The name Potato Germans also refers to the cultivation of the crop: the German colonists in the Alheden settlement succeeded in growing potatoes and selling them at the market in Viborg. That is why they were called the Potato Germans. The story thus connects agriculture, settlement and trade, without limiting these themes to a single exhibition.

Museums and Memorial Sites

Grønhøj Kro is a listed, royal-privileged inn dating from 1848. The Morten Korch Museum was established in the inn’s stable buildings in 2013. The exhibits include items donated by the Morten Korch family. The Potato German Shop exhibition features a reconstructed barn from 1760, associated with the German colonists and the Potato Germans.

Another historical focus is the Lancaster R5679 exhibition. It includes a memorial room for seven crew members whose aircraft crashed near Grønhøj in 1942. There is a memorial stone to the crew beside the carriage house. The Kalk Kaminoen is a 30-kilometer hiking trail between Stoholm and Skelhøje; at Grønhøj Kro, an exhibition tells the story of the German settlers and their lives.

Hiking on the Heath

Near Grønhøj, Kongenshus Hede has two marked hiking trails: one 3 kilometers long and one 3.5 kilometers long. A 13-kilometer hike across the heath leads to historic traces from the Second World War. The different distances can help you estimate how long to allow for your planned hike, without implying a specific walking time.

The hike on Kongenshus Hede can also be taken as a nature-focused tour across the heath south of Resenfeldevej and through Rabisdal. The route begins and ends at the parking lot at Grønhøj-Skivevej 22. Check conditions before setting out. On the Fløjgårde dal section between Grønhøj and Fallesgårdevej, the trail runs along the edge of a flat heath plain.

Landscape and Practical Information

The area at Rabis consists mainly of open dry grassland, meadows and heath, as well as a ravine along the stream. It was acquired to create a heath or dry grassland corridor between the heathland at Kongenshus and the natural areas south of Rabis Bæk. The focus is therefore on the landscape features and the purpose of this corridor.

There are bus connections from Grønhøj to Viborg and Herning. Check the current routes and timetables before traveling. Hedens Golf Club is also located in Grønhøj; check the course details before visiting. This makes it easy to choose between cultural history, hiking and golf when planning your stay and tailor your itinerary to your interests.

For the broader travel overview: Karup Municipality.