Slaggård Banke

Shaped by the past

This hilly area characterized by hils with large burial mounds on top, is located south of Vestbirk and east of the Gudenå River Valley. In the area Vorbjerge, there are several burial mounds that were placed as high in the landscape as possible to honour the dead by making the mound visible from afar. The highest of the hills in the area is Slaggård Banke. With a peak 109 metres ASL it is one of the highest points in Denmark.

Slaggård Banke is characterized by grassy hillsides, and the nine mounds on top gives the area a very characteristic appearance with wavy hills. There is public access to the area and there are banches and tables as well as information boards near the hill.

Go for a walk in the area

There is a public parking lot with tables and benches where the two roads Naldalvej and Østbirkvej meet. This is a good starting point for a three-kilometre-long hike in the area. On the hike you will pass the hilltop and Slaggård Banke’s shelter site with a very unusual shelter with a door and a stargazer’s tower. At Vorbjergvej you can get access to the similar area Vorbjerg Høje which is also characterized by burial mounds. Vorbjerg Høje (86 metres ASL) has 11 burial mounds. In other words, you can pass 20 burial mounds on a short hike.

This digital map allows you to follow the routes in the area via GPS.

About the burial mounds

Slaggård Banke is one of the most impressive groups of burial mounds in Denmark. The mounds on Slaggård Banke were graves designed for one man that were made to honour high-ranking individuals such as noblemen and headmen. The graves are from the Bronze Age (1800-500 BC). The mounds were generally placed as high as possible to get the deceased as close to the Gods as possible but also to make them visible in the area. They were often placed near roads of thoroughfare so passers-by could see that this was an area where people of high status lived. The mounds were associated with high status – both for the deceased and the local area.

The mounds on Slaggård Banke have a flat top. The reason for this is believed to be connected to ceremonial use of the area. A monolith was often placed on top to make it clear where the grave was placed. The deceased were burned and buried in an urn along with burial gifts. The graves have been subject to many grave robberies over time, so these burial gifts were often gone when archeologists examined the graves.

Combine with other nature experiences

You can visit one of Denmark’s most popular nature attraction, The Uncovered Bridge, only short distance north of Slaggård Banke. There are also other interesting nature experiences here such as the Vestbirk Lakes, The Nature Path Horsens-Silkeborg, and Fyel Bathing Lake.

All of these experiences are found in the area Bakkelandet which is characterized by some of the highest hills in Denmark, lakes, and forests. There are also good options for combining nature experiences with great food experiences.

On this page you can find inspiration for other experiences in Bakkelandet.

This guide gives you an overview of historic attractions in Kystlandet.

This page gives you inspiration for some of the best vista points in the area.