Background

Kings Hill (Kongehøjen) – Stone Age Passage Grave

Explore a 5,000-year-old Stone Age passage grave and step inside one of Denmark's finest megalithic monuments.

4.2

Kings Hill is one of Denmark's finest preserved megalithic tombs, dating to the Stone Age and located near Mariager in Jutland. This impressive passage grave features a central burial chamber constructed from massive stones, accessible via a narrow corridor. The site offers insight into Neolithic burial practices and the engineering prowess of ancient communities. Visitors can explore the interior chamber and enjoy views across the surrounding landscape from atop the mound.

A brief summary to Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

  • Hobrovej 12C, Mariager, 9550, DK
  • Duration: 0.75 to 2 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 out of 5

Local tips

  • Bring a flashlight or headlamp when entering the burial chamber—the interior is dark and a light source is essential for safely navigating the passage and viewing the stone construction.
  • Visit on weekdays, particularly Tuesday to Friday mornings, to experience the site with fewer visitors and a more contemplative atmosphere.
  • Wear sturdy footwear with good grip; the passage requires crouching and the stone surfaces can be uneven and potentially slippery in wet conditions.
  • Combine your visit with nearby Hohøj burial mound and the Alstrup Krat forest walk to experience multiple layers of the region's ancient heritage in a single excursion.
  • Visit Mariager Museum before or after to view exhibits related to the burial mound and gain deeper context about Neolithic life in the region.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Car from Mariager town centre

    Kings Hill is located approximately 8 kilometres from Mariager's historic centre. Drive northeast on Hobrovej for approximately 12–15 minutes. The site is accessible by standard passenger vehicle year-round. Parking is available near the entrance. No entrance fee is required.

  • Walking from Mariager

    A scenic walking route of approximately 3–4 kilometres (45–60 minutes) connects Mariager town centre to Kings Hill via country roads and paths. The terrain is gently rolling with some elevation gain. The route passes through agricultural landscape and offers views across the Mariager Fjord region. Suitable for walkers of moderate fitness; wear sturdy footwear.

  • Cycling from Mariager

    Kings Hill is accessible by bicycle from Mariager via regional cycling routes. The journey takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on route and fitness level. The terrain includes some gentle hills. Bicycle parking is available at the site. This option is weather-dependent and most practical during spring through autumn.

  • Public transport from Randers or Hobro

    Regional bus services connect Randers and Hobro to the Mariager area, with journey times of 30–50 minutes depending on service and connections. From Mariager bus station, Kings Hill is accessible by the walking or cycling options described above. Service frequency varies seasonally; check local transport schedules before travel.

Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Any Weather
  • Weather icon Clear Skies

Unlock the Best of Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

A Monument to Neolithic Ingenuity

Kings Hill, known locally as Kongehøjen, stands as one of Denmark's most beautifully preserved Stone Age burial monuments. This megalithic passage grave dates to the Neolithic period, constructed approximately 5,000 years ago when communities invested enormous labour in creating monumental tombs for their most socially significant members. The site exemplifies the architectural sophistication of prehistoric peoples, who engineered a complex burial structure using massive stones transported by glacial action during the last ice age. The tomb's construction reflects both practical engineering and ceremonial significance. Large stones were set upright to form the chamber walls, with flat capstones laid across their tops to create a roof. The entire structure was then covered by an earthen mound, creating the distinctive hill visible today. This drywall technique—where stones were sealed together with smaller tiles to allow drainage—demonstrates advanced understanding of structural integrity and water management.

Journey Through the Burial Chamber

Visitors to Kings Hill experience a tangible connection to the distant past by entering the passage grave itself. Access requires crawling through a narrow corridor that opens into a central burial chamber, where the scale and craftsmanship of the original builders becomes apparent. The chamber measures approximately 2 metres wide and extends several metres in length, with the stone ceiling rising high enough to allow visitors to stand upright once inside. A flashlight is essential for exploring the interior, revealing the precise placement of massive stones and the careful construction that has preserved this monument for millennia. The experience of moving through the passage and into the chamber offers a visceral understanding of how Neolithic communities used these spaces. The darkness and enclosed stone walls create an atmosphere of reverence, suggesting the spiritual and ceremonial importance these tombs held for ancient peoples. Excavations have revealed human remains and artefacts within the chamber, confirming its use as a burial site and providing archaeologists with valuable insights into Neolithic life and death practices.

Landscape Views and Surrounding Heritage

From the summit of Kings Hill, visitors enjoy panoramic views across the Mariager region and surrounding Jutland landscape. The elevated position of the mound—situated on naturally high ground—provides perspective on the ancient settlement patterns and the strategic importance of this location. The nearby Alstrup Krat forest, one of Denmark's closest approximations to a landscape unchanged since ancient times, offers additional context for understanding the environment in which these communities lived. The broader archaeological landscape around Mariager contains numerous other significant sites. Hohøj, Scandinavia's largest burial mound located just outside Mariager, rises 12 metres high and offers even more expansive views across the fjord and surrounding terrain. Other notable megalithic tombs in the region, including Lundshøj and the passage graves at Klekkende Høj on the island of Møn, demonstrate the widespread practice of monumental tomb construction across Denmark during the Neolithic and Bronze Age periods.

Historical Excavation and Preservation

Kings Hill has been the subject of archaeological investigation, with excavations conducted in 1961 revealing artefacts and human remains that provided crucial data about Neolithic burial practices. These findings contributed to broader understanding of how Neolithic communities selected individuals for burial in monumental tombs—typically only the most socially prominent members received this honour. The burial process itself was likely both a social and religious undertaking, bringing communities together for ceremonies that reinforced social bonds and spiritual beliefs. The preservation of Kings Hill reflects both natural factors and deliberate conservation efforts. The stone construction has proven remarkably durable, and the mound's earthen covering has protected the interior chamber from weathering. Modern restoration and safety measures, including the installation of lighting and structural reinforcement, have made the site accessible to contemporary visitors while maintaining its archaeological integrity.

Busiest months of the year

Busiest hours of the day

Popular Experiences near Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

Popular Hotels near Kings Hill | Megalithic tomb

Select Currency