Funder Ruin Glacial Boulder

A colossal Ice Age boulder quietly resting in the fields near Silkeborg, where ancient geology, rural calm and subtle Danish folklore meet in one modest landmark.

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Funder Ruin

Hidden in the countryside west of Silkeborg, Funder Ruin is not a crumbling castle but a colossal glacial boulder tucked behind a farm on Funder Skovvej. Around 10 meters in circumference and about 2 meters high, this ancient stone likely lies half-buried, its rounded back rising from grass and scrub at the edge of fields and woodland. It is a quiet, slightly secret spot that blends geology, rural scenery and a touch of Danish folklore in a single, simple landmark.

A brief summary to Funder Ruin

Funder Skovvej 17, Silkeborg, 8600, DK
Duration: 0.5 to 1.5 hours
Free
Outdoor
Mobile reception: 4 out of 5

Local tips

Wear sturdy, closed shoes; access to the boulder usually involves uneven ground, long grass or muddy patches, especially after rain.
Plan your visit for early morning or late afternoon when low light brings out the stone’s contours and makes for more atmospheric photos.
Combine a short stop at Funder Ruin with nearby Silkeborg forest walks or lake viewpoints to build it into a broader day outdoors.
There are no on-site facilities, so bring water or snacks and use restrooms elsewhere in the area before you arrive.
In wet seasons, consider waterproof footwear; fields and informal paths can become slippery and soft underfoot.

Getting There

Car from central Silkeborg

Driving from central Silkeborg to Funder Skovvej typically takes around 10–15 minutes, using local roads that pass through suburban areas and open countryside. There is no formal car park at the boulder itself, so you will need to find a safe place to pull off on nearby side areas without blocking farm access. The route is free of tolls, and there is no entrance fee at the site. Surfaces can be narrow and unlit at night, so daylight visits are easier for locating the landmark.
Bicycle from Silkeborg area

Cycling from Silkeborg’s town area to Funder Skovvej generally takes about 25–35 minutes, depending on pace. The ride follows a mix of minor roads and possible cycle-friendly stretches, with gentle hills typical of central Jutland. There is no dedicated bike parking at the stone, but you can lean or lock your bicycle to a fence away from farm gates. The journey is free and suits reasonably confident cyclists comfortable sharing the road with local traffic.
Regional bus plus short walk

Regional buses serving the Funder and Funder Kirkeby area run between Silkeborg and nearby villages, usually taking 15–25 minutes of travel time depending on route and stops. A single adult ticket typically costs in the range of 20–35 DKK within the local zone system. From the nearest bus stop, expect a short walk of 10–20 minutes along rural roads and field edges to reach the vicinity of Funder Skovvej. Services may be less frequent in the evening and on weekends, so it is sensible to check current timetables in advance.

Funder Ruin location weather suitability

Clear Skies
Mild Temperatures
Hot Weather
Cold Weather
Any Weather

Discover more about Funder Ruin

An ancient giant in the Jutland soil

Funder Ruin is one of Denmark’s larger glacial erratic boulders, a massive stone carried here by ice during the last Ice Age and left behind when the glaciers retreated. Measuring roughly ten meters around and about two meters high, it sits half sunken in the ground so that much of its bulk is hidden beneath the surrounding soil. From a distance it can look like a low hillock, but close up you see its solid rock surface emerging from the grass. Rather than towering dramatically, this boulder impresses with sheer mass and age. Its rounded, weather-smoothed shape tells a long story of slow grinding within ancient ice, then centuries of wind, rain and frost in the Danish countryside. Standing beside it, you are effectively next to a piece of the Scandinavian bedrock that has travelled and rested here for thousands of years.

Field edges, forest fringe and rural calm

The stone lies near Funder Skovvej, in gently undulating farmland west of Silkeborg. Around it, the landscape is typically Mid-Jutland: open fields, small pockets of woodland, farm buildings and quiet lanes. Depending on the season, you might see golden grain rippling in the breeze, freshly ploughed earth, or bright green pasture dotted with grazing animals. Birdsong and the distant sounds of tractors are more common here than traffic noise. On clear days the sky feels wide and open, with long sightlines across the fields. The boulder itself often sits in a modest clearing or field corner, sometimes fringed by grasses, nettles or low scrub, giving it a slightly hidden, discovered-by-chance character.

Folklore, nicknames and local curiosity

Despite the name “Funder Ruin,” there is no masonry here and no trace of a man-made structure. The name hints more at atmosphere than archaeology: a solitary, ancient presence that feels like the remnant of something long gone. In Denmark, large stones like this often weave into local lore, associated with trolls, giants or buried treasures, and it is easy to imagine similar stories quietly attached to this one. The boulder serves as a small point of pride and curiosity in the Funder area. It exemplifies how Danish landscapes often hide modest but meaningful features—places that are not grand tourist sights, yet still reward those who seek them out with a sense of place and a concrete connection to deep natural history.

A short, contemplative stop in nature

Visiting Funder Ruin is typically a brief, low-key experience rather than a full excursion. Many people pause here as part of a wider day in the Silkeborg region, combining it with forest walks, lake viewpoints or nearby historic sites. Time at the stone is usually spent walking around it, touching the rough surface, taking a few photographs and enjoying the rural quiet. The ground near the boulder can be uneven, especially in wet weather, and access often involves crossing short stretches of grass or lightly trodden paths, so sturdy shoes are helpful. There are no facilities at the site itself, which keeps the atmosphere simple and undisturbed. It is best suited to visitors who appreciate small details in the landscape and enjoy discovering understated corners of the countryside.

Light, seasons and small-scale photography

Because Funder Ruin is low and solidly sculptural, it responds beautifully to changing light. In early morning or late afternoon, shadows emphasize its rounded contours and any lichen or moss on its surface. On overcast days, the soft light turns it into a muted grey focal point against green fields. Photographers often work with close-up angles to highlight texture, or frame the stone against big skies and surrounding farmland for a sense of scale. Across the year, the setting changes from frosty fields and bare branches in winter to wildflowers and lush crops in summer, making the same simple subject feel different with each season.

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Your Ultimate Free Travel Guide

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Funder Ruin Glacial Boulder

A brief summary to Funder Ruin

Local tips

Getting There

Car from central Silkeborg

Bicycle from Silkeborg area

Regional bus plus short walk

Funder Ruin location weather suitability

Unlock the Best of Funder Ruin

Buy tickets

Book tours with entry

Book tours without entry

Discover more about Funder Ruin

An ancient giant in the Jutland soil

Field edges, forest fringe and rural calm

Folklore, nicknames and local curiosity

A short, contemplative stop in nature

Light, seasons and small-scale photography

Iconic landmarks you can’t miss

Silkeborg Vesterskov mindesten

Silkeborg Water Tower

silkeborg

Lovisehøj

Bølling Lake

Himmelbjerget rutebåd

Folkemøde Mindesten anno 1839

Jutland

Store Troldhøj

Randershøj

Landal Søhøjlandet

Abbey Mill

Jutland's Automobile Museum

Øm Klostermuseum

Mossø

Unmissable attractions to see

Stærke Storm af Thomas Dambo

Silkeborg park

Silkeborg Bunkermuseum

Silkebog skulpturpark

Art Center

Knagerne Silkeborg

Scandic Silkeborg

Kroghs Bænk

MOSES

Odderpassager

Badeanstalten

Silkeborg Archive

Galerie Moderne Silkeborg

Vægmaleri

Duedal Bjerg

Essential places to dine

Burger Beast Silkeborg

Restaurant Spyd

Ristorante Pizzeria Roma

Green Habits

Sabel - Restaurant og Bar

Flamingo Pizza V/Aydin Wahab

Gusto Silkeborg

Okkels Silkeborg ApS

VIVI Mad- & Vinbar

Restaurant Piaf

La Casita

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Hot Inn

Orangeriet

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Børnenes Kartel Silkeborg

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t.i.n.g.

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Bustedwoman.com

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