Silkeborg Vesterskov Memorial Stone

A modest memorial stone in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where forest tranquillity and wartime history meet in a quiet, contemplative woodland clearing.

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Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Tucked deep in Silkeborg Vesterskov, this modest memorial stone marks the spot where two Danish resistance fighters, Leif Dines Pedersen and Poul Mackeprang Nielsen, are commemorated for their work and sacrifice during World War II. Surrounded by tall conifers, soft forest floor and birdsong, the clearing combines solemn remembrance with classic Silkeborg woodland scenery. A nearby parking area and picnic benches make it an easy, contemplative stop on hikes, runs or mountain‑bike loops through the forest.

A brief summary to Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Silkeborg, 8600, DK
Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 3 out of 5

Local tips

Wear waterproof or sturdy footwear; the natural forest paths around the memorial can be muddy, rooty and slippery after rain or in winter.
Combine a stop at the memorial with a longer loop in Vesterskov, linking forest viewpoints or nearby lakes for a richer outing.
Bring your own drinks or snacks and use the nearby picnic bench by the parking area, as there are no facilities directly at the stone.
If you want quiet reflection, aim for weekday mornings or outside popular running and mountain‑bike event times in the forest.

Getting There

Car from central Silkeborg

From central Silkeborg, driving to the parking area by Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten typically takes about 10–15 minutes, using local roads that skirt the southern forests. There is a signed forest parking area near the memorial with space for cars, and parking is generally free. Surfaces can be gravel or dirt and may be uneven, so low‑clearance vehicles should drive slowly. In wet or wintry conditions, expect mud and occasional slick patches on the approach to the parking area.
Local bus plus walk

Regional buses running between Silkeborg and nearby villages along the southern side of town can drop you within walking distance of Vesterskov in about 15–25 minutes of travel time, depending on the route and time of day. From the nearest bus stop, plan for a 20–40 minute walk on forest tracks to reach the memorial clearing, with natural, sometimes muddy terrain. A standard single bus ticket within the Silkeborg area generally costs around 22–30 DKK, and services run more frequently on weekdays than in the late evening or on Sundays.
Bicycle from Silkeborg

Cycling from Silkeborg town centre to the edge of Vesterskov usually takes 20–30 minutes, using local roads and bike‑friendly routes that lead toward the southern forests. From the forest edge, allow another 10–20 minutes on broad gravel or dirt tracks to reach the memorial area, depending on your pace and chosen path. The route includes some gentle hills but no extreme gradients. There is no dedicated bike parking at the stone itself, so you will need to leave your bicycle just off the forest track nearby.

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A quiet glade in the heart of Vesterskov

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten sits in a small forest clearing in the western stretches of Silkeborg’s great southern woodland belt. Here, the pine and spruce canopy opens just enough to let shafts of light reach the moss and heather underfoot, framing a single upright stone on a low plinth. Paths arrive from several directions, so you often step out of the trees quite suddenly into this open space, with the memorial as the natural focal point of the glade. The atmosphere is intimate rather than grand. Instead of manicured lawns, the stone is surrounded by needles, roots and the uneven contours of the forest floor. Wind in the treetops and the distant call of birds tend to be the loudest sounds. It feels very much like part of the working forest around it, used by walkers, runners and mountain bikers passing through on longer routes.

Remembering two resistance fighters

The inscription on the stone commemorates Leif Dines Pedersen and Poul Mackeprang Nielsen, two local freedom fighters who worked in Vesterskov during the Second World War. Both were involved in resistance activities in and around the forest, which in those years offered cover for clandestine meetings, weapons drops and courier routes hidden among the trees. The memorial does not overwhelm you with detail; instead, it prompts reflection on how ordinary working woodland once doubled as a backdrop to covert operations. Knowing that the men being remembered both had their daily lives tied to the forest adds an extra layer of poignancy. This was not just a symbolic place but part of their routine landscape, later transformed by occupation and resistance.

Forest backdrop and changing seasons

Vesterskov itself is one of Silkeborg’s classic forests, stretching between several lakes and ridges south of the town. Around the memorial, you move through dense conifer stands broken by pockets of deciduous trees and bracken. In spring, fresh greens filter the light; in summer, the canopy is thick and aromatic; autumn brings needles underfoot and a copper tint to the bridleways; winter can leave the clearing dusted with frost or snow, sharpening the contours of the stone. Because the memorial lies along established forest tracks, it is easy to pair a short stop here with longer walks towards Almindsø, Thorsø or the hilly parts of the woods. The setting means you experience the site as part of a living landscape, with forestry work, recreational trails and wildlife all sharing the same space.

Part of Silkeborg’s outdoor culture

Today the clearing doubles as a small hub in the recreational web of Vesterskov. A larger parking area and picnic bench are located by the access point near the memorial, making it a natural start or end point for local outings. Trail events and informal walk‑and‑run routes sometimes use the area as a segment, drawing runners who encounter the stone as a quiet marker on an otherwise energetic loop. Mountain bikers heading for the nearby blue trail, families on leisurely strolls and locals walking dogs all pass close to the site. Many pause briefly, reading the inscription before continuing along the forest tracks. That mix of motion and stillness suits the place: the memorial is neither fenced off nor isolated, but integrated into everyday outdoor life.

Visitor experience and practical notes

A visit is usually short and contemplative. You step into the clearing, read the names and dates, perhaps take a moment on the bench or stand looking back into the trees. There is no formal exhibition or visitor centre at the stone itself, so any historical context comes from prior reading or your own curiosity. Surfaces are natural and can be muddy, root‑strewn or slippery in wet or icy weather, and the approach is not designed as fully accessible. Mobile reception is generally adequate but can fluctuate under the dense canopy. Most visitors fold the memorial into a wider route, allowing time both for reflection here and for enjoying Vesterskov’s paths, views and lakes beyond the trees.

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Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

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A modest memorial stone in Silkeborg Vesterskov, where forest tranquillity and wartime history meet in a quiet, contemplative woodland clearing.

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Silkeborg Vesterskov Memorial Stone

A brief summary to Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Local tips

For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you

Getting There

Car from central Silkeborg

Local bus plus walk

Bicycle from Silkeborg

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

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Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

A quiet glade in the heart of Vesterskov

Remembering two resistance fighters

Forest backdrop and changing seasons

Part of Silkeborg’s outdoor culture

Visitor experience and practical notes

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Silkeborg Water Tower

silkeborg

Lovisehøj

Bølling Lake

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

Store Troldhøj

Randershøj

Landal Søhøjlandet

Abbey Mill

Jutland

Jutland's Automobile Museum

Øm Klostermuseum

Mossø

Unmissable attractions to see

Knagerne Silkeborg

Silkeborg park

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Silkebog skulpturpark

Art Center

Kroghs Bænk

Funder Ruin

Odderpassager

AQUA Aquarium & Wildlife Park

MOSES

Duedal Bjerg

Scandic Silkeborg

Badeanstalten

Silkeborg Archive

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

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