Kanotur i Søhøjlandet med hele familien

Family Holiday in Silkeborg

Photo: Mark Trustrup

Outdoor life, family life and lots of wonderful holiday experiences. In Silkeborg, Denmark's Outdoor Capital, located in the middle of the Lake District with large forests, lakes and mountains, a lush, beautiful and active area awaits you with great holiday excursions for the whole family.

Climb, bike, and race with the whole family

Denmark's Outdoor Capital Silkeborg is, as the name suggests, a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Here you will find numerous opportunities to enjoy the beautiful nature of the Lake District Søhøjlandet on hikes, bike rides, or from the treetops in the Silkeborg Climbing Park.

If you, for example, enjoy seeing everything from above, take your family to the Silkeborg Climbing Park. With 35 ziplines in six different heights, there is something for everyone. If climbing is not your thing, you can still enjoy the natural playground at the climbing park and have a picnic in the shelter where drinks and snacks are available for purchase.

The Silkeborg BikePark, the city's mountain bike playground, is located in the same area and offers an adrenaline rush and speed. If you have older children or teenagers in the family and want to push the limits, it's the perfect place to try one of the mountain bike trails.

Going on a hike with the kids

If you prefer hiking, lace up your hiking shoes and head to the Himmelbjerget lookout tower, where you'll have a fantastic panoramic view over Julsø.

Going on a family hike.

Get up close with Denmark's unique wildlife

Do you love animals? Then get up close with them in Silkeborg.

Get up close with unique wildlife

Photo: AQUA Akvarium & Dyrepark

At Aqua Aquarium & Wildlife Park in Silkeborg, you can meet and experience animals from the Danish nature, including otters, badgers, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. And the brave can also touch the fish in the touch pool. If you also want to experience some of Denmark's most magnificent birds of prey, it's a great idea to visit Silkeborg Eagle Reserve, where you can get up close with eagles, falcons, hawks, and owls at the reserve's Birds of Prey Show.

In, on, and by the water

The river Gudenå winds its way through Silkeborg and the many large and small lakes in the Lake District Søhøjlandet. Here you'll find all kinds of wonderful water activities such as sailing, rowing, swimming and fishing - all perfect holiday experiences for the whole family.

The river Gudenåen is no less than a magical Danish natural treasure not to be missed. There are plenty of opportunities to rent canoes, kayaks and rowing boats by the hour and by the day at several locations along the Gudenå River. A boat trip up the river will get your pulse racing as you listen to the gentle lapping of the waves and float through the peaceful and breathtaking scenery.

Take a dip

In Silkeborg's picturesque natural surroundings, there are plenty of opportunities for swimming as the lakes are among the cleanest in Denmark. Get your towels ready and prepare for a refreshing freshwater dip in the middle of the fantastic nature.

Enjoy a trip to the beautiful swimming lakes Almind Sø and Ørnsø in Silkeborg, both of which are very family-friendly. At Ørnsø, you will also find the troll, Strong Storm, a giant wooden sculpture by artist Thomas Dambo.

Ride on historic modes of transportation through breathtaking nature

Hjejlen

Photo: Hjejleselskabet

How did people get around in the old days? Take your family on a journey back in time aboard the world's oldest coal-fired paddle steamer, Hjejlen, and enjoy an unforgettable and beautiful cruise on the Gudenå River from Ry to Himmelbjerget. Hjejlen has been sailing since 1861, and when you step aboard the paddle steamer, the stoker will throw coal under the boiler, and the engineer will lubricate the old engine - just as it has been done for over 150 years.

You can also experience a fabulous ride through the landscape on the beautiful old steam locomotive at the Bryrup-Vrads veteran railway. Let yourself bump through the fantastic natural scenery of Søhøjlandet on the 5 km long stretch, and enjoy lunch or refreshments in the old station building's restaurant afterwards.

Explore museums and culture

Photo: Museum Jorn

Get a sensory bombardment of colors and shapes at the Museum Jorn, where Denmark's influential and internationally recognized Cobra painter, Asger Jorn, invites you to wonder. After a wonderful tour through the exhibitions, the whole family can unleash their creativity in the art museum's open workshop, where you can get your hands into art, immerse yourself and try out creative techniques that the artists themselves have worked with - you can of course take your own works home.

If you are enthusiastic about stories of our common past, then visit the Silkeborg Museum. Here you can see the more than 2000-year-old bog body, Tollund Man, which was found near Silkeborg and be captivated by other exciting archaeological finds and historical monuments.

Do the children need to burn off more energy?

Legepladsen Indelukket i Silkeborg fra oven
Photo: Bo Bozz Nørgaard

Indelukket in Silkeborg is another great destination for families with children. Indelukket is a combined city park and marina by a river and forest, where there is plenty of space to play freely. Here you will find Indelukket's playground, a brand new playground with activities that inspire both young and old to balance, climb and enjoy the slides. When you need a break or something to eat, you can head over to Indelukket's Mini Golf, which has both an ice cream kiosk and a restaurant. Here you can challenge each other on an 18-hole mini golf course, where you are guaranteed to have some fun hours and a good laugh.

Another great family outing is Labyrinthia Park, where both adults and children can have fun finding their way through the park's eight different mazes. It's a fun outing for the little ones.

More tips to your trip in Silkeborg and the Lake District Søhøjlandet

Silkeborg and the river Gudenaa

Silkeborg

Denmark's Outdoor Capital

Hjejlen på Gudenåen

See and do

Top Natural Wonders, outdoor activities,  best museums, events ...

Landal Søhøjlandet

Accommodation

Hotels, Camping, B&B ...

Tourist information

Plan your trip

Find experiences, transport, accommodation etc.

Share your moments with us: