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6. Givskud - Jelling

Here you can get a map that is more suitable for print:

	The Hærvej bicycle route, asphalt/gravel		Youth hostel
	The Hærvej hiking route		Tourist information
	Second bicycle route		Hostel
	Sight		Shop
	Primitive tent place		Area with a hiking folder
	Camping site

On the stretch by Givskud the Hærvej route goes through an open farm land with small forests. South of Harresø the bicycle route goes to the southwest to Randbøldal, while the hiking route goes to the southeast to the old royal town Jelling.

1. Givskud Løvepark

Some of the Hærvej tracks south of Givskud are not available for either hikers or cyclists. They lie namely inside Givskud Løvepark (Lionpark) where there – understandably- only is access if one is in car or in a bus.

2. Harresø Inn

Harresø Inn, which is from 1609, is one of the oldest preserved inns along Hærvejen. Formerly it was frequently visited by bullock drivers on their way to the south – the old travelling stable can still be seen. Also other sections of the population were guests- for instance you can still see Grundtvig`s regular table.

3. Jelling

The Jelling stones stand in front of the church

In the Viking Age Jelling was one of the country’s most important towns and a domicile for the kings – when they were in Jutland.

Jelling Church lies between the two biggest ancient hills in Denmark. In the beginning of the 10th century a 170m long stone ship was built in this place starting from a Bronze Age hill. On top of the old hill the northern hill was laid out, very likely by King Harald Blåtand. In the hill a burial chamber from 958/59 was found, that very likely contained Harald`s father, King Gorm. The southern hill, which did not contain any graves, was laid out later.

Between the two hills stand the two runic stones that are called “Denmark’s birth certificate”. The big stone was put up by Harald Blåtand, and the runes say that Harald “made the Danes Christians”. The small stone was rediscovered in the 17th century and put up beside. The inscription sounds” Gorm king made this death memory for his wife Thyra, Denmark’s ornament”. It is the oldest evidence of Denmark’s name.

Just north of the stones Harald put up a wooden church which had two successors before the present stone church was built in the 12th century. In the church there are replicas of murals from the 12 th century.

Links to trip folders:

Rørbæk Sø, Tinnet Krat Gudenåens and Skjernåens Kilder (PDF 2,8 Mb). 12 hikes in the source area and along Rørbæk Lake.

Fårup Lake - Jelling Skov - Rugballe Mose (PDF 0,5 Mb). Hikes and bicycle rides in the landscape south of Jelling.