Hohøj hiking route - Mariager (5 km)

Photo: Louise Rosenkilde Larsen

Mariager ruten

Photo: Louise Rosenkilde Larsen

Mariager ruten 2

Photo: Destination Himmerland

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The Hohøj route takes you past prehistoric sites, allowing you to explore Mariager's idyllic town center with its cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses. You'll also venture into nature through Maren Finds Dalen, Alstrup Krat, and up to Hohøj - Scandinavia's largest Bronze Age mound.

Along the way, the route is marked with signs featuring a red arrow on a green background. In the town, however, look for a red arrow on a white background.

 

A hiking route that puts history, culture, and nature in the spotlight

Where you start is up to you. The hiking route forms a loop, so you will end up where you began the journey.

For example, you can start in Mariager town at Løvebrønden, located on Østergade, and head up the path behind the pharmacy. This will lead you to Maren Finds Dal, where despite the dense forest cover, you can still see the slopes formed by the meltwater of the Ice Age. From there, the journey continues up to Hohøj, known as Denmark's largest and highest Bronze Age mound. Although the uphill climb can be challenging, the view from the top of Hohøj makes it worthwhile.

 

A vehicle shelter from World War II

Before reaching Hohøj, along Hohøj Skovvej, you can find remnants of WWII vehicle shelters used by the occupying forces. During the war, Hohøj was used as an observation and listening post by the German troops, and on the way up, you can see cut-ins in the slopes, which were the locations where the vehicle shelters were dug into the ground.

 

Alstrup Krat and Oksedalen

From Hohøj, you move into the forest and towards Alstrup Krat. Here, you can experience a deafening silence as moss covers the forest floor and majestic coniferous trees reach high into the sky. Try standing still and listening as you enter the forest; it's completely quiet. Then look up and see how the coniferous trees sway in the wind. It's a unique natural experience.

Alstrup Krat extends into an area known as Oksedalen. Like Maren Finds Dal, Oksedalen was formed during the Ice Age due to erosion from meltwater.

Soon, you'll end up on Fjordgade, where you can see Mariager Fjord, Denmark's most beautiful fjord, on the other side of the road. You might consider taking a detour to the newly constructed Mariager Strand and dip your toes in the beautiful fjord.

You are now nearing the end of the route, but before that, the journey takes you through Østergade, which is worth seeing due to its charming half-timbered houses adorned with beautiful doors and hollyhocks along the walls.

 

Alternative starting point

You can also choose to start at Hohøj and find information about the area you're venturing into at the small red house nearby, close to the Bronze Age mound. That way, you'll be well-equipped for a journey in the footsteps of history.

 

Hotels nearby of Hohøj hiking route - Mariager (5 km)

  • Hotel Amerika

    10.06 km

    Near Mariager Fjord – the most beautiful fjord in Denmark – you will find Hotel Amerika. A great deal of care has gone into the design of this hotel, with its tasteful decor and attention to detail. Outside, nature has generously provided the most magnificent setting with the forest in its many shades of green.
    Read more : Hotel Amerika
  • Purhus Kro

    13.46 km

    Purhus Kro is a cosy and family-friendly old Danish roadside inn. The setting of the inn is scenic, peaceful and quite. All the same, you are not far away from all the attractions in the area. In the inn there is a lovely unpretentious atmosphere, where indeed the main thing is the wellbeing of the guests.

    Read more : Purhus Kro
  • Hotel Randers

    20.69 km

    Hotel Randers is one of Denmark’s oldest hotels. For more than 160 years the hotel has been an oasis with room for pleasure, peace and absorption.  The hotel was built in 1856, however in the autumn of 2016 it was reopened after being completely refurbished. You can sense the presence of history at the beautiful hotel.

    Read more : Hotel Randers
  • St. Binderup Kro

    30.34 km

    St. Binderup Kro is placed between Aalborg and Viborg. Go exploring the old rooms of the inn and enjoy the museum-like atmosphere and the ticking of the grandfather clock. The inn owner willingly tells about the history of the place. In the beautiful restaurant you can enjoy a large selection of well-cooked meals.
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  • Palads Hotel Viborg

    42.54 km

    Palads Hotel Viborg is located right in the center of Viborg right by the city's cozy and charming pedestrian street and a few minutes to the train station.
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  • Kongensbro Kro

    43.65 km

    Kongensbro Kro is located between Aarhus and Viborg. In the old times it was known as a bargeman’s inn, but today it is a modern inn with up-to-date rooms with a view of the inn’s garden and the Gudenå. The inn’s patent of nobility is good food, from homemade rissoles to the French cuisine.

    Read more : Kongensbro Kro
  • Kompas Hotel Aalborg

    44.92 km

    KOMPAS Hotel Aalborg offers 111 rooms. With easy access to the motorway, and centrally located close to Aalborg's new waterfront, the location is ideal for a stay in the North Jutland capital. You have every opportunity to discover Aalborg's cozy pedestrian streets and enjoy the city's many cafes and restaurants.

    Read more : Kompas Hotel Aalborg
  • Montra Hotel Sabro Kro

    48.1 km

    This beautiful hotel is located in the heart of Sabro close to the city of smiles, Aarhus. With the E45 close by, there is easy and fast transport to a wealth of options. Here you will find room for attention, presence and wonderful experiences. There is always a good reason to visit Montra Hotel Sabro Kro.

    Read more : Montra Hotel Sabro Kro
  • Kaløvig Badehotel

    49.27 km

    Kaløvig Badehotel is a small, cozy hotel located just 14 kilometers from the center of Aarhus, right on the shores of Aarhus Bay in Aarhus North. The intimate ambiance, the homely feel, and the soothing sound of the waves from Aarhus Bay together create a truly unique atmosphere that is hard to find elsewhere.

    Read more : Kaløvig Badehotel
  • Hotel Gjerrild Kro

    53.34 km

    As the inn is situated most easterly in Jutland, Gjerrild Kro is the perfect place to stay if you wish to visit Djursland. There are namely only 10 minutes to Grenå and 45 minutes to Randers Tropical Zoo and Aarhus. These attractions speak for themselves. However, the scenery must and should be experienced.
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