Kings Hill Megalithic Tomb (Kongehøjen)
A remarkably well‑preserved Stone Age passage grave where you can crawl into a Neolithic burial chamber and step back 5,000 years in the fields near Mariager.
Set on a low rise in the countryside near Mariager, Kings Hill (Kongehøjen) is one of Denmark’s best‑preserved Stone Age passage graves. Built around 3200 BC by the Funnel Beaker culture, the long mound is ringed by an almost intact chain of kerbstones and hides two remarkably well‑kept burial chambers inside. You can stoop or crawl through the narrow entrance and step into the cool, silent darkness where Neolithic farmers once buried their dead, then emerge to open views over the surrounding fields.
A brief summary to Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb
- Hobrovej 12C, Mariager, 9550, DK
- Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Bring a reliable flashlight or headlamp; the interior is pitch‑dark and natural light barely reaches the burial chamber.
- Wear clothes you do not mind getting dusty and shoes with good grip, as you need to crouch or crawl through a low, sometimes damp passage.
- Combine your stop with nearby Hohøj burial mound and a walk in Alstrup Krat to get a fuller sense of the area’s prehistoric landscape.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Car from Mariager town center
From central Mariager, reaching Kings Hill by car typically takes about 10–15 minutes, following regional roads through gently rolling farmland. The route is straightforward but includes narrow country stretches where agricultural vehicles are common. Parking is usually informal along the verge near the mound rather than in a marked lot, so allow extra time to find a safe spot and avoid blocking field entrances. The visit itself is free of charge; fuel costs are minimal given the short distance.
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Bicycle from Mariager
Cycling from Mariager to Kings Hill usually takes around 25–35 minutes each way, depending on fitness and wind. The ride follows minor roads with light traffic but some gentle hills, making it best for confident cyclists and older children rather than very young riders. Surfaces are paved but can be exposed in bad weather, so bring layers and rain protection. There is no dedicated bike parking at the mound, but you can safely lean or lock a bicycle to a fence nearby at no extra cost.
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Regional bus plus short walk from Hobrovej stop
Regional buses running between Hobro and Mariager often stop along Hobrovej within walking distance of Kings Hill; the trip from either town typically takes 15–25 minutes. A one‑way adult ticket on these local routes usually costs in the range of 20–35 DKK, paid by card, app or cash depending on the operator. Service is less frequent in the evenings and on weekends, so check current timetables and plan for waiting times. From the nearest stop you should expect a short walk on roadside verges and farm tracks over uneven ground, which may be muddy in wet weather and is not ideal for wheelchairs or prams.
Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Clear Skies
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
Discover more about Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb
A Stone Age monument in the fields of Himmerland
Kings Hill, known locally as Kongehøjen, rises gently from the farmland between Hobro and Mariager, a long green mound that looks deceptively modest from a distance. As you approach, the structure resolves into an elongated barrow surrounded by a ring of large stones, each one carefully placed more than five millennia ago. Despite its age, the tomb is considered one of Denmark’s most beautiful and best‑preserved Stone Age burial monuments, a quiet reminder that this landscape has been settled since long before there was a Danish kingdom. At roughly 5,000 years old, the mound belongs to the Neolithic Funnel Beaker culture, early farmers who cleared the surrounding hillsides and invested enormous labour in building communal tombs. Kongehøjen’s name, “King’s Hill,” reflects its imposing form and the aura of importance that still clings to it, even though it predates historic Danish royalty by thousands of years.Ancient craftsmanship in stone and earth
What sets Kings Hill apart is the remarkable completeness of its construction. Along the foot of the mound runs an almost unbroken chain of kerbstones, some massive, some smaller, carefully fitted to hold the earth in place. Above them rises the long, grass‑covered barrow, its gentle profile shaped by human hands in the Stone Age and preserved with minimal alteration since. Inside, two stone‑built burial chambers lie hidden within the mound. Excavations and later restoration work revealed that the tomb’s core is built of immense glacial boulders, set upright to form walls and roofed with capstones. Smaller stone tiles fill the gaps, creating a kind of prehistoric dry masonry that has kept the structure stable and largely watertight through thousands of winters.Stepping into the Neolithic darkness
From the outside, the entrance looks like a low, narrow opening in the side of the mound. To reach the interior you need to crouch or crawl along a short, confined passage, feeling the cool stone close to your shoulders. It is very dark inside, and a flashlight transforms the experience, suddenly revealing the textures of rock, the curvature of the roof slabs and the quiet geometry of the chamber. Once your eyes adjust, you can stand or half‑stand within the central space, imagining it lit by flickering firelight and filled with the sounds of ritual thousands of years ago. Archaeological finds from similar graves include human bones, flint tools, pottery and amber, suggesting complex burial practices and a deep spiritual world tied to the land.Legends, protection and quiet endurance
Kongehøjen has been formally protected since the late 19th century, a relatively early recognition of its importance. Local folklore also helped safeguard it: for generations people told that anyone who disturbed the stone circle might suffer misfortune. Whether taken literally or not, such stories discouraged the removal of stones for building and left the monument unusually intact compared with many other mounds. Today the tomb sits in peaceful countryside, with only the rustle of wind in the grass and distant farm sounds breaking the silence. There are no intrusive structures around it, so the setting still feels close to the open cultural landscape of the Neolithic, with gentle slopes and big skies stretching away from the mound.Experiencing Kings Hill among Mariager’s ancient sites
A visit to Kings Hill is short but atmospheric. Most travellers spend time walking slowly around the kerbstone ring, tracing its curve and studying the size and shape of individual boulders before venturing inside. Climbing onto the top of the mound gives you a low but wide view over fields and hedgerows, linking this grave visually to other prehistoric sites scattered around the region. Combined with nearby monuments such as the towering Hohøj burial mound and the forested traces of Alstrup Krat, Kings Hill forms part of a wider tapestry of ancient sites along Mariager Fjord. It is a compact, easily accessible place where you can step briefly out of the present and sense how strongly people here once connected death, ritual and the surrounding land.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Mariager Church
3.7 km
A towering former abbey church above Mariager Fjord, where Gothic brickwork, noble tombs and a distinctive Aubertin organ keep centuries of faith and history alive.
Mariager Kirke
3.8 km
A lofty Bridgettine abbey church turned parish landmark, where Gothic stone, noble tombs and organ music tell Mariager’s story above the fjord.
Hotel Postgaarden Mariager
4.0 km
Experience historic Danish charm and modern comfort at Hotel Postgaarden Mariager, nestled in the heart of the 'City of Roses' with easy access to Mariager Fjord's natural beauty.
Mariager Lystbådehavn
4.2 km
Denmark's most beautiful fjord meets a thriving sailing community in this welcoming maritime harbor.
Restaurant BramslevGaard
4.5 km
Experience Danish history and gastronomy at BramslevGaard, a charming manor house nestled in the scenic Bramslev Bakker near Hobro, offering stunning views and French-inspired cuisine.
Hotel BramslevGaard
4.5 km
Experience tranquility and history at Hotel BramslevGaard, nestled in the scenic Bramslev Bakker by Mariager Fjord, offering gourmet dining, spa retreats, and easy access to Northern Jutland's natural wonders.
Mariager Fjord
5.9 km
Denmark's longest fjord winds through pristine Jutland landscapes, offering unspoilt nature, charming villages, and exceptional outdoor adventures.
Hobro Lystbådehavn
6.8 km
Denmark's premier fjord marina with historic charm and modern comfort.
Sven Dalsgaards Plads
20.2 km
Randers' cultural epicentre honouring a Dadaist pioneer, where art, performance, and community converge.
Randers St.
20.3 km
Historic East Jutland railway hub connecting Denmark's east coast with modern InterCity services and comprehensive traveler amenities.
Randers Railwaystation
20.3 km
Historic rail gateway of Randers, linking East Jutland’s river town with Aarhus, Aalborg and Copenhagen from a compact, practical 19th‑century station hub.
Hotel Randers
20.8 km
Explore the rich tapestry of Danish and international design at Copenhagen's Designmuseum Danmark.
Gravhøjen i Fladbro Dyrehave
21.7 km
Stone Age burial mound in a serene deer forest, where ancient history meets wild nature.
Rold Forest
21.8 km
Discover Denmark's largest forest: Hike through ancient woodlands, explore unique geological formations, and uncover the legends of Rold Forest near Skørping.
Troldeskoven
21.9 km
Discover the mystical allure of Troldeskoven near Skørping, where ancient, gnarled beech trees create a magical landscape steeped in Danish folklore and natural beauty within Rold Skov.
Unmissable attractions to see
Miniseum
0.5 km
Enchanting 1:12 scale miniatures and dioramas celebrating artistry in Denmark's countryside.
Katbjerg Odde, Mariager fjord
1.6 km
Quiet peninsula on Mariager Fjord with sea trout fishing, birdlife, fossils and big-sky views, ideal for slow walks, simple picnics and peaceful nature escapes.
Mariagerfjord Frikirke
2.6 km
Modern free church and cultural house on the edge of Mariager, blending contemporary worship, community life and flexible event spaces in a bright, welcoming complex.
Mariager Idræts Klub
3.2 km
Multi-sport heart of Mariager, where everyday Danish life, local matches and community spirit fill simple halls and pitches beside the fjord town.
Munkholmanlægget
3.6 km
A peaceful woodland escape featuring forest trails, a whimsical troll sculpture, and a rose garden in charming Mariager.
Rosenhaven
3.6 km
An intimate rose garden in the heart of Mariager, where hundreds of varieties, church spires and cobbled streets meet in a quietly fragrant city retreat.
Mariager Klosterhave
3.6 km
A small, story-filled abbey garden beside Mariager’s church, where herbs, beehives and quiet corners keep the town’s monastic past gently alive.
Ivan Evigvår trold
3.7 km
Hunt for a gentle giant hidden deep in Denmark's enchanted forest—a whimsical woodland sculpture born from community votes and recycled dreams.
Bramslev Bakker
3.7 km
Steep green hills tumbling to Mariager Fjord, Bramslev Bakker blends premium hiking, shoreline calm and big-sky views in one of Denmark’s most scenic corners.
Mariager Camping
3.8 km
Award-winning fjord-side camping where Nordic nature meets charming heritage town life.
Mariager Museum
4.0 km
Centuries of regional heritage in a charming 17th-century merchant's house.
Veteranjernbanen Mariager-Handest
4.0 km
Denmark’s longest heritage railway, where vintage trains, fjordside scenery and a preserved rural station bring a century of Danish railway history to life.
Saltcentret
4.1 km
Denmark's salt heritage comes alive through interactive exhibits, therapeutic pools, and family adventures on the Mariager Fjord.
Mariager Sejlklub
4.2 km
Friendly marina and sailing club on the shores of Mariager Fjord, blending sheltered berths, local sailing culture and easy access to a charming historic town.
Sødisbakkes Museum
4.4 km
An intimate local history museum revealing the everyday lives, work and creativity of residents at Sødisbakke, a long‑standing care institution near Mariager.
Essential places to dine
Restaurant Bramslev Bakker
3.7 km
Countryside Danish cooking with sweeping fjord views, where Bramslev Bakker’s rolling hills meet a relaxed, modern restaurant above Mariager Fjord.
A'porta
4.0 km
Unpretentious Danish cooking, a lively bodega-style bar and simple rooms under one roof in the old fjord town of Mariager.
Mariager Bistro & Konditori
4.0 km
Casual harborfront bistro and konditori in Mariager, serving unfussy Danish café dishes and cakes just steps from the town’s quiet fjord marina.
Torve Pizza Mariager v/Kenan Atas
4.0 km
Casual, central pizzeria and grillhouse on Mariager’s main square, serving generous, affordable comfort food to locals and visitors from afternoon through evening.
Havnens Grill & Pølsebod
4.1 km
Casual waterfront grill serving Danish classics with fjord views and motorcycle tradition.
Landgangen
4.6 km
Homely Danish comfort food and generous plates served with wide-open views over Mariager Fjord on the quiet edge of this charming North Jutland town.
Restaurant Uafhængig
5.3 km
Ambitious Nordic cooking in a calm, forest‑edge dining room at Hotel Amerika, blending seasonal Danish flavors with a relaxed, modern atmosphere near Hobro.
Restaurant The Grill Hobro
6.4 km
All-you-can-eat grill buffet and brunch inside Hobro’s Bowl’n’Fun, bringing hearty classics, soft-ice desserts and family-friendly dining under one lively roof.
Matios Det Italienske Spisehus
7.8 km
Cosy Italian trattoria-style dining on Hobro’s central square, serving generous pizzas, pasta and classic desserts in a warm, candlelit atmosphere.
Nida's food
7.8 km
Casual harborfront fast-food joint in Hobro serving pizzas, burgers and grill favorites just steps from the marina on Havnegade.
Esja Bistro
7.9 km
Casual Nordic comfort food with Icelandic flavours, served in a cosy bistro on Hobro’s Adelgade where North Atlantic ingredients meet relaxed Danish dining.
Restaurant Bies Bryghus
7.9 km
Historic Hobro brewery-restaurant serving classic Danish dishes with a modern twist in a warm, brick-and-beam setting on the town’s central street.
Star Pizza & Grill
9.8 km
Straightforward pizzas and grill favorites in the heart of Mariager, offering easy takeaway and no-frills dining after a day by the Danish fjord.
Restauration Orkidee Dania - Mad som man kender
9.9 km
Relaxed fjordside restaurant and event venue at Dania, serving classic Danish dishes, buffets and catering in cozy banquet rooms with wide views over Mariager Fjord.
Cafe Fyret Kongsdal
10.5 km
Unpretentious harbour café on the quay at Kongsdal Havn, serving simple, good‑value meals and ice creams with wide‑open views over Mariager Fjord.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
PetitePeople
2.6 km
Personalized children's clothing and baby essentials in central Hobro, Denmark.
REMA 1000
3.4 km
Mariager’s handy REMA 1000 on Gl. Hobrovej is a no‑frills discount supermarket, perfect for stocking up on groceries, snacks and picnic supplies near the historic town.
Kirkepladsens Blomster Mariager ApS
3.9 km
Century-old florist crafting premium arrangements for weddings, celebrations, and heartfelt moments.
Vinspecialisten Mariager
3.9 km
Intimate specialist wine shop in the heart of Mariager, pairing personal advice with carefully chosen bottles, fine spirits and gift-ready treats for any occasion.
Folkekirkens Nødhjælp Genbrug
4.0 km
Cosy waterfront charity shop in Mariager, where curated second-hand finds, local community and global relief work meet under ét genbrugstag.
Mariager Slagterforretning
4.0 km
Classic Danish butcher shop by Mariager’s harbour, offering house-made specialties, fresh cuts and deli favourites ideal for picnics, grilling and cosy self-catered meals.
Helga Winther Smykkedesigner
4.0 km
Handcrafted jewelry artistry in the heart of Mariager, where bespoke designs meet timeless elegance.
Vaffelbageren i Mariager
4.0 km
Experience handmade Danish ice cream and fresh-baked waffles on Mariager’s historic square—Vaffelbageren captures the taste and spirit of hygge along the fjord.
JamerAntik.dk
4.0 km
Intimate Mariager antiques shop specializing in Danish porcelain, ceramics and decorative treasures, where each shelf reveals another chapter of Scandinavian design history.
Klosterkaelderen.dk Antiques & Porcelain
4.0 km
Denmark's premier destination for authentic Danish and European antique ceramics and porcelain.
Klæd Dig - Mariager
4.1 km
Cosy, owner-run fashion boutique on Østergade in Mariager, offering curated Scandinavian-style womenswear in a relaxed, personal and distinctly local setting.
Mariager Boghandel
4.1 km
Cosy village bookshop and service hub in the heart of Mariager, combining books, gifts, toys and practical everyday services in one welcoming stop.
Diva
4.1 km
Curated women's fashion in the heart of historic Mariager's charming town center.
SuperBrugsen
4.1 km
Modern cooperative supermarket and deli hub in small‑town Mariager, ideal for stocking up on Danish groceries, picnic supplies and prepared local dishes every day.
Jørgensen Sko
4.1 km
A long-standing local shoe shop and cobbler in Mariager, offering practical footwear, repairs and traditional service on cosy Østergade near the historic town centre.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Jazz Hobro
7.4 km
Northern Denmark's premier jazz venue, celebrating tradition and innovation through live performances.
Bræddehytten Bar & Pub
7.7 km
Unpretentious local bar on Hobro’s main street, pouring cold beer and warm hygge in a classic Danish pub setting with friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Torvebaren
7.8 km
Classic Danish bodega in central Hobro, serving traditional beers, darts and down‑to‑earth local atmosphere from morning coffee to late‑night rounds.
Vognhjulet Pub
7.9 km
Hobro's legendary rock pub where authentic Danish hospitality meets decades of local tradition.
Madam Blå's Vandhul
7.9 km
A cozy, day‑time neighborhood bar-café in Hobro where locals linger over coffee, beer and small talk in an easygoing, homely atmosphere.
Olivia
9.8 km
Casual Danish beer hall where locals gather for drinks, conversation, and authentic small-town hospitality.
Jagtstuen
14.6 km
Traditional Danish bodega-style bar in central Hadsund, known for its cozy atmosphere and pioneering dementia-friendly approach to everyday social life.
Kælderen
14.8 km
Intimate basement bar at the heart of Hadsund's town square, open for evening gatherings Thursday through Sunday.
Den Graa Kok Vinkælderen
14.9 km
Refined wine bar and cellar in North Jutland offering curated selections and elegant dining.
Rottehullet / Bodega
15.1 km
Laid‑back Danish bodega in quiet Arden, where cold beer, worn wood and easy conversation create a timeless neighborhood hangout.
ar
15.6 km
Unpretentious waterfront bar on Ved Stranden in Hadsund, where simple drinks, fjord views and small-town atmosphere create an easygoing evening stop.
Sunes Bodega
19.8 km
A classic Randers neighbourhood bodega serving cold beers, local stories and uncomplicated hygge from morning until late evening.
Bykroen
20.4 km
Traditional Randers bodega with cold beer, simple smørrebrød and everyday hygge in the heart of Vestergade’s city-centre streets.
Café von Hatten
20.6 km
Intimate volunteer-run bar and music den in the heart of Randers, where underground sounds, candlelit tables and community spirit create a distinctly local night out.
Cocktail Klubben
20.7 km
Experience Randers' vibrant nightlife at Cocktail Klubben, where expertly crafted cocktails and a lively atmosphere await.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Tranquil
- Scenic
- Unique
- Casual
For the architecture buff
- Historic
- Landmarks
- Sacred Sites
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Iconic Views
- Panoramas
For the social media creator & influencer
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Protected Area
- Leave-No-Trace Critical
- Public-Transport Accessible
- Locally Managed
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Mindfulness
- Meditation Spot
- Myth & Legends
- Cultural Heritage
- Photowalk
- Nature Escape
- Roadtrip Stop
- Day Trip
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
