Central Jutland: lakes, runestones and LEGO
Bog bodies and Vikings, the Silkeborg lakes and Denmark’s birth certificate in Jelling, ending in the home of LEGO: a family trip.
- Distance
- 151 km (94 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 05 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Denmark
- Updated
- July 17, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 151 km (94 mi) with 8 stops, from Aarhus to LEGO House. About 2 h 05 min of driving in total.
Route description
Begin in Aarhus and drive to Moesgaard Museum on the southern edge of the city, where the Grauballe Man and Viking exhibits are presented for all ages. Then head west into the lake district, Denmark’s hilliest corner.
Himmelbjerget rises above Julsø lake; walk up to the tower, then continue to Silkeborg, where the Tollund Man lies in the town museum. The lakes are best enjoyed by canoe or on the paddle steamer Hjejlen, which runs in summer.
Drive south through woods and heath to Jelling, where the royal mounds, the church and the two runestones form a UNESCO site with a modern visitor centre. From Jelling it is a short run west to Billund.
LEGO House is open all year; Legoland next door opens from spring to autumn and is busy in school holidays, so book in advance. Roads in central Jutland are fast and easy, and there are plenty of campsites around the lakes.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Aarhus
Denmark - 211 km
Moesgaard Museum
HistoryAarhus, DenmarkAn archaeology museum under a sloping grass roof south of Aarhus, home to the 2,000-year-old Grauballe Man found in a bog. You can walk up the roof for the view.
- 342 km
Himmelbjerget
ViewsRy, DenmarkOne of Denmark’s highest points at 147 m, crowned by a brick tower above the Silkeborg lakes. In summer an old paddle steamer links it with Silkeborg.
- 414 km
Silkeborg
Denmark - 558 km
Jelling
Denmark - 60 km
Jelling Mounds and Runestones
HistoryJelling, DenmarkTwo huge burial mounds, a church and the runestones of Gorm the Old and Harald Bluetooth, often called Denmark’s birth certificate. Free and open all year.
- 724 km
Billund
Denmark - 81 km
LEGO House
OdditiesBillund, DenmarkA stack of giant white bricks in the home town of LEGO, with play zones for all ages. The rooftop terraces are open to everyone; Legoland is a separate park nearby.
