Background

Kongenshus Mindepark: Denmark’s Great Heathland Memorial

Vast memorial park on Central Jutland’s heath, honoring land reclaimers with trails, panoramic views, and a unique museum—perfect for heritage and nature explorers.

4.2

Kongenshus Mindepark is a vast memorial park on the rolling heathlands west of Viborg, dedicated to the people who reclaimed Denmark’s wild moorlands from the 19th century onward. Here, visitors find sweeping views, stone monuments, walking trails, and a museum revealing the cultural and ecological story of the Central Jutland heaths. Peaceful, panoramic, and deeply atmospheric, it’s a unique site for nature lovers and heritage enthusiasts alike.

A brief summary to Ulstrup Castle

Local tips

  • The heather blooms are strongest from late July through August—visit in this window for the most vibrant scenery.
  • The on-site museum has limited opening days, especially outside summer; check schedules in advance if keen on indoor exhibits.
  • Bring sturdy footwear—some walking trails can be uneven or muddy after rain, especially further from the main memorial.
  • There are picnic areas with benches throughout the park, ideal for a break amid the peaceful heath.
  • Wildlife is most active in the early morning or late afternoon—watch for birds and grazing sheep.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Car/Taxi

    Reaching Kongenshus Mindepark from the center of Central Jutland is easiest by car. The park is set in open countryside west of Viborg, beyond the smaller lakes and hamlets. Look for signs pointing toward the memorial just before open heathland stretches to the horizon. Free parking is available on site, but spaces may be busier on sunny weekends or during heather bloom.

  • Public Transport

    Buses run from Viborg’s main bus station toward the towns bordering the large heath, with stops near Kongenshus. The final approach generally requires a short taxi ride or a leisurely walk along quiet country ways from the nearest bus stop (about 15–30 minutes on foot). Standard single tickets cost about 24–35 DKK. Timetables fluctuate, especially outside weekdays.

  • Cycling

    Kongenshus Mindepark sits along pleasant country roads west of Viborg, favored by local cyclists for their scenic and gentle undulations. Cycling from the city center takes around 45–60 minutes, with minimal traffic and clear views of the approaching heath. Bike racks are located by the main entrance and use is free.

Unlock the Best of Ulstrup Castle

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Ulstrup Castle

Set within the heart of Central Jutland’s wild expanses, Kongenshus Mindepark extends over more than 1,200 hectares of protected moorland. This compelling memorial park honors the generations of Danish settlers and laborers who tamed the once-windswept, inhospitable heaths. The centerpiece is a vast stone monument carved with the names of the pioneering heather farmers and local parishes who transformed the land. Dotting the landscape, you’ll find additional stone markers commemorating key figures and communities, surrounded by purple-flowering heather in late summer, and vast skies that stretch to the horizon. The park’s atmosphere is serene and timeless, shaped by wind, sky, and the low, rolling contours of the land. Wander along marked walking trails, some short and accessible, others leading deeper into the heath, offering quiet, meditative solitude as well as the possibility of spotting local wildlife. The area is home to larks, curlews, and even grazing sheep, helping to preserve the traditional heathland ecosystem. At the Kongenshus Memorial Building, an interpretive museum and panoramic viewpoint open your understanding of the harsh life and indomitable spirit of the 19th-century settlers, as well as the park’s unique ecology today. The museum displays tools and dioramas and provides a window onto Denmark’s proud tradition of land reclamation. Kongenshus Mindepark is accessible year-round and is a place for reflection, gentle recreation, and connecting with both Danish history and wild nature. On clear days, the open landscape is especially striking, and the absolute silence on the heart of the moor is a rare luxury. A café attached to the museum is open on most weekends in high season, serving coffee and cake. Dog walkers, families, and solitary ramblers will all find their niche in this emblematic slice of Jutland, where land and memory intertwine.

Popular Experiences near Ulstrup Castle

Popular Hotels near Ulstrup Castle

Select Currency