Discover Tange: nature, water and engineering history

In Tange, river, lake and forest are all close to one another. The town combines this landscape with a history closely connected to hydropower and the Gudenå. When planning your trip, you can choose between activities on the water, walks and insights into engineering history.

Landscape, lake and trails

Tange Sø is Denmark’s largest artificial lake. There are extensive areas for spending time by the lake and many facilities; it also offers opportunities for fishing. If you are considering Tange as a destination, you will find both a connection to the water and various ways to spend time outdoors. River, lake and forest are all close to one another in the surrounding area.

For walks around the lake, there is a walking route that follows the old towpath. Another option is the 800-metre-long dam at Tangeværket, where visitors can take a walk. These two suggestions offer different ways to spend time outdoors: a route following a historic path and a walk along the dam. The Trækstien is a longer nature trail in the region and should be distinguished from these.

The Trækstien follows the Gudenå for about 70 kilometres from Silkeborg to Randers. The route passes through varied terrain, some of it difficult to access, and offers nature experiences. It is a regional option for hiking enthusiasts, but is not the same as the walking route around Tange Sø.

Hydropower and engineering history

Tangeværket, also known as Gudenaacentralen, has been generating electricity since 1921. At the Energy Museum, you can see the machine hall at Tangeværket with its three 100-year-old generators. The hydropower exhibition adds to this look at the facility: it shows how Tangeværket works, and visitors can try out Francis, Pelton and Kaplan turbines there.

The exhibition explores hydropower not only as part of the town’s history, but also through different types of turbine. The river’s heritage also includes Kågen, the last flat-bottomed barge to travel on the Gudenå. Those interested in engineering or the history of river transport can explore different aspects of how water has been used. The Energy Museum also puts on a Tesla coil lightning show.

On the water and on the move

There is a launch point for canoes and kayaks at Tangeværket, where the Gudenå continues flowing out of Tange Sø. It is accessible from the Energy Museum car park; a toilet building, tables and benches are nearby. The course of the Gudenåen canoe route is also useful to know when planning a trip on the water: the approximately 40-kilometre route runs from Silkeborg to Bjerringbro and reaches Tange Sø shortly after Kongensbro.

On the Gudenåen route, boats must be carried around at Gudenåcentralen. This is a specific requirement to take into account when planning your route. Regional Route 16 from Aarhus to Viborg also passes by the artificial lake Tange Sø. It offers another point of reference in the region, but this does not mean that it runs through Tange itself.

If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Tange, the town’s different attractions can help you choose what to focus on: walks and nature by the lake, a canoe trip on the Gudenå, or the history of hydropower at the Energy Museum. Consider which of these themes matters most to you during your stay, and check the relevant routes and visitor options to suit your plans.

Discover more destinations: Bjerringbro, Hjarbæk, Løgstrup, Skals, Viborg, Tjele, Karup Municipality, Rødding

For the overview of the wider area: Viborg Municipality.