Jelling-Haraldskær

Selected experiences on the route

Vejle Valley
When you visit Vejle Valley, you step into a fairy-tale landscape filled with amazing natural experiences and cultural-historical highlights, including the story of the Egtved Girl from the Bronze Age.

The valley is the largest of the area's tunnel valleys and is also known as Denmark's Nature Park. The valley offers numerous hiking and biking trails. One of the most popular routes is the Bindeballestien, which follows the abandoned Vandel railway track from Vejle through Vejle Valley to Bindeballe by the Ancient Road.

In Vejle Valley, you can experience a mosaic of attractions, including the old country store and merchant museum, Bindeballe Merchant's Farm, Frederikshåb Mill Park. Among the cultural highlights are the Egtved Girl's grave, the Ravning Bridge from the Viking Age, and impressive sculptures by Robert Jacobsen and Jean Clareboudt in Tørskind Gravel Pit. The nature is, of course, fantastic with both Randbøl Heath and Frederikshåb Plantation. When you stand on top of Runkenbjerg, you can enjoy a breathtaking view over the valley.

Skibetvej 139, 7100 Vejle

Ravning Bridge
Already in the Viking Age, more than 1000 years ago, there was a great need to traverse the Vejle River Valley with dry feet. At the site in Ravning Meadows, the past is palpably felt, and here you can see a reconstruction of two bridgeheads.

The Ravning Bridge was built around the year 980 by the people of Harald Bluetooth, stretched over 760 meters, and was one of Denmark's most impressive engineering feats of the Viking Age. In fact, the Ravning Bridge was Denmark's longest bridge until the opening of the old Little Belt Bridge in 1935.

Whether the bridge was a trade route or a military road is still uncertain, but according to some archaeological theories, Harald Bluetooth had the bridge built to quickly move troops across the valley. One thing is certain: It required enormous resources in both oak wood and manpower to construct the bridge. With a foundation made of 1,800 piles up to six meters in length and a cross-section of 30 x 30 cm, it was a major undertaking.

At the original location of the bridge, you can today see the reconstruction of the bridge, which shows the extent of the construction. Not far from the reconstruction, in the former station building of the Vejle-Vandel railway, you can delve deeper into the bridge's history and archaeological findings.

Seize the opportunity to explore this historical site on a hiking or cycling trip along the popular Bindeballe trail, which passes right by. If you wish, you can also pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars or enjoy your packed lunch in the picnic house.

Ravningvej 25, 7182 Bredsten

Troldborg Ring
North of Ravning Bridge, majestically placed on a hill projection, elevated 70 meters above the Vejle River Valley and with a very steep descent towards the ford where Ravning Bridge was later built, lies Troldborg Ring. Troldborg Ring is a circular refuge fort and was surrounded by an embankment with a diameter of 60 meters and a moat on the landward side.

The fort was constructed between 100-200 AD and was in use until the 5th century AD. Before the fort was built, a very large burning had taken place at the site. The reason for this huge bonfire remains a mystery, but it adds a touch of drama and mystique to the history of the place, which you will sense when you visit it.

With its noble placement and fine view of the valley, Troldborg Ring is worth a visit all year round.

Troldborg Ring, 7182 Bredsten