Ejer Bavnehoj

Ejer Bavnehoj rises to about 170 metres in the low hills of central Jutland and carries a stone memorial tower built in 1924, which can be climbed for a view over farmland in every direction. Its interest is the long-running dispute over which point in Denmark is highest. Ejer Bavnehoj held the title for decades; then resurveying gave it to neighbouring Yding Skovhoj, whose natural ground is slightly lower but which carries a Bronze Age burial mound that pushes its total height above; then further surveying favoured Mollehoj, a third hill a short distance away, which is now generally accepted as the highest natural point at about 171 metres. All three are within a couple of kilometres and are signed as a walking route.

History

Ejer Bavnehøj was long known as a beacon site, where signal fires were lit to warn the military and the local people of an approaching enemy, and the second part of its name means "beacon hill", from bavne, beacon, and høj, hill. At 170.35 metres it is the third-highest natural point in Denmark (Wikipedia, Ejer Bavnehøj).

What's there

• The 1924 memorial tower - climbable, with the view over central Jutland.
• Mollehoj - now accepted as the highest natural point in the country.
• Yding Skovhoj - higher only because of its Bronze Age mound.
• The walking route between the three - the whole dispute covered on foot.

When to go

April to October for the walk between the hills; the tower is open in the warmer months. One hour for the tower, two to walk the three summits. Clear days for the view.

Before you go

These are gentle farmland hills and the height is unimpressive by any standard except the Danish one, which visitors from mountainous countries find comic. The tower has limited opening. Facilities are minimal. The route between the hills is partly on roads.

Nearby

Skanderborg and the lakes are north; Horsens lies south.

Key facts