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Shelterplads: Nature’s Hideaway on the Edge of Silkeborg

Shelterplads in Silkeborg offers a charming, free outdoor experience with woodland shelters, riverside tranquility, and authentic Danish friluftsliv close to town.

4.5

Nestled on the outskirts of Silkeborg, Shelterplads is a scenic outdoor shelter site offering peaceful forest surroundings by the river. This free-to-use escape is popular with hikers, cyclists, and families seeking a rustic, close-to-nature overnight experience—complete with fire pits, modest facilities, and a genuine sense of Danish friluftsliv.

A brief summary to ARoS Aarhus Art Museum

  • Tuesday 10 am-9 pm
  • Wednesday 10 am-9 pm
  • Thursday 10 am-9 pm
  • Friday 10 am-9 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Arrive early on weekends or holidays to secure a shelter, as spots aren't reservable and fill up quickly.
  • Remember to bring your own firewood and cooking supplies—facilities are minimal for an authentic outdoor experience.
  • Mosquito repellent is recommended, especially in late spring and after rainfall.
  • Silence and nature are prized here—respect quiet hours after dark out of consideration for fellow campers.
  • If cycling, shelters connect easily to marked regional bike trails, making them ideal for touring adventurers.
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Getting There

  • Walking or Cycling

    From Silkeborg’s vibrant town center, follow local green corridors eastward, leaving behind bustling shops in favor of wooded paths edging the Gudenå river. The walk or ride takes approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on pace. You’ll pass a mix of parkland and woodland, with signs pointing toward camp and shelter areas as you blend gradually into more secluded natural settings. No admission fee applies, and access is open year-round.

  • Taxi

    Taxis from central Silkeborg provide a swift, direct approach to Shelterplads, typically reaching the site’s forest edge in 8–12 minutes. Expect fares around 100–140 DKK, though prices can fluctuate with demand or weather. Taxis can drop passengers near the entrance, from where a short walk into the woods leads to the shelters. Parking nearby is limited to small clearings, so private car users should plan accordingly.

  • Public Transport

    Local buses occasionally service stops within walking distance of the surrounding area; check seasonal schedules in advance. Bus fares are generally 24–30 DKK for a single adult ticket within Silkeborg’s municipal zones. From the nearest bus stop, a gentle walk through meadows and forest paths leads to the shelter site.

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Shelterplads, located off Østerlundvej just east of Silkeborg’s center, perfectly embodies Denmark's 'friluftsliv'—the joy of being outdoors. Set within gentle woodland bordering tranquil meadows and the river Gudenå, it’s as much a retreat for city dwellers as it is a waypoint for adventurers following Silkeborg’s extensive network of hiking and cycling trails. The site offers simple wooden shelters that blend harmoniously with the forest backdrop. Each unit provides protection from the elements, a basic fire pit for cozy evening gatherings, and easy access to freshwater and simple toilet facilities. There’s no booking fee for day use or brief overnight stays, making it an inviting prospect for budget travelers or spontaneous explorers in search of calm. Day visitors use the picnic spots, while overnighters lay out sleeping bags under timber roofs, often sharing stories by the campfire beneath starlit skies. Shelterplads is more than just a place to sleep outdoors. Listen for birdsong at dawn, watch the light shift through beech and pine as the sun rises, or cool your feet in the nearby Gudenå. This is a place where Danish outdoor culture shines—children chasing bugs, friends grilling on open fires, and visitors of all ages unplugging from modern life. The site is especially popular in late spring through early autumn; on busy weekends, early arrival helps secure a shelter. Though the comfort is rustic, many find that’s precisely Shelterplads’ appeal: the unwinding simplicity, direct relationship with nature, and the subtle community that forms among strangers sharing wild spaces.

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