Trehøje, Mols Bjerge National Park

Ancient mounds on a windswept ridge

Trehøje is a trio of Bronze Age burial mounds set along a high ridge in the heart of Mols Bjerge National Park. Standing here, you are quite literally on top of history: the mounds were raised more than 3,000 years ago as monumental graves for local elites, their silhouettes still clearly visible against the sky. The gentle approach up the hillside suddenly gives way to a surprisingly lofty summit, as the land rises steeply from the surrounding coast. At 127 metres above sea level, the mounds are not just archaeological monuments but also perfect natural vantage points. Simple grass paths weave between the rounded humps, inviting you to wander quietly from one to the next, pausing to imagine the rituals and beliefs that once centred on this exposed hilltop.

Panoramas across bays, inlets and islands

The real drama at Trehøje is the view. From the ridge you can sweep your gaze from Aarhus in the west, across Kalø, Begtrup and Knebel inlets, all the way towards Ebeltoft and, on very clear days, as far as Sjællands Odde on Zealand. Water seems to appear in almost every direction, tracing the deeply indented coastline that defines Djursland. The landscape below is a patchwork of fields, small villages and wooded slopes. To one side lies the town of Ebeltoft with its harbour and old-town rooftops; to another, the village of Knebel sits snugly by its bay. Far off, the Helgenæs peninsula stretches into the sea. On bright days the light over the bays can be dazzling; on misty mornings, low clouds and drifting fog soften the contours into muted layers.

Heathland colours and glacial shapes

Around the mounds, some of Denmark’s finest grazed heathland spreads over the hills. In high summer the dry grasslands turn almost brownish-purple as tufted grasses bloom, punctuated by brighter patches of heather. Sheep and cattle often graze here, keeping the vegetation low and preserving the open, windswept character of the hills. Under your feet is a textbook example of glacial landscape. The ridges, hollows and undulating slopes of Mols Bjerge were sculpted by ice and meltwater more than 10,000 years ago. From Trehøje, you can easily trace these forms in the terrain: steep-sided valleys, rounded summits and gentle shelves of land that step down towards the bays. Information boards in the wider national park help explain how ice sheets carved and deposited the sediments that became this distinctive terrain.

Walking, pausing and simply looking

Visiting Trehøje is essentially about being outdoors and taking your time. Narrow footpaths lead across open fields to the hilltops, with short but sometimes steep stretches that can be slippery in wet weather. Once up, you can follow the ridge between the three mounds or sit in the lee of a slope to shelter from the wind. Many travellers bring a small picnic or a thermos to enjoy on the grass. The exposed position means that conditions change quickly. On clear, calm days, it is an inviting place to sit for an hour or more, watching clouds drift and light shift across the bays. In strong winds you feel the full force of the weather, which can be exhilarating but also chilly even in summer. Sunrise and late evening light can be particularly atmospheric, though paths are unlit and the ground uneven, so good footwear and a flashlight are sensible if you linger.

A gateway to the wider Mols Bjerge

Trehøje also works as a natural anchor point for exploring the rest of Mols Bjerge National Park. From the hilltops you can spot Agri Bavnehøj, the park’s highest point, as well as other notable features such as kettle holes and additional burial mounds scattered over the ridges. Waymarked hiking trails in the area link Trehøje with nearby viewpoints and valleys, making it easy to extend a short visit into a half- or full-day walk. Despite its modest facilities, the site captures much of what makes Djursland special: big skies, open land, visible layers of history and a constant sense of sea close by. Whether you are pausing on a wider road trip or using Knebel or Ebeltoft as a base, Trehøje offers a compact yet far-reaching experience of the Danish landscape.