Toftehøj
Toftehøj is an almost unknown hilltop, which first received its official name in 2009 — a somewhat hidden gem in the hilly landscape around Skanderborg.
The view point is located just north of Energi Midt’s beautiful, old transformator tower, and at 125 m above sea level, Toftehøj offers a wonderful view of the surrounding agricultural landscape.
The area is steeped in history, as the land and farms in Brørup and Ustrup belonged to Ring monastery in medieval times. During the Reformation in 1536, the farms fell under the king’s ownership, and at the auction of the Skanderborg Cavalry District in 1767, there were nine farms and a number of houses in Brørup and Ustrup that belonged to the king. The farms in Kattrup were freehold, but after the auction, freehold ownership was quickly introduced across the area.
There are several old roads in the Toftehøj area, including Gammeltoftevej, which forms a section of a much older road system running from the south toward Ring monastery via Hylke. This road was likely used by travelers who were on their way to Skanderborg Castle’s manor farm, located north of Skanderborg Lake.
Toftehøj is the perfect place for a short, varied hike — where you can enjoy nature, get a glimpse into Danish history, and take in a unique view of the landscape of East Jutland. Park at Brøruphus Efterskole and set out on the roughly 6 km-roundtrip, which largely follows paved and gravel roads.
Tip
A significant part of the route follows paved roads due to the area’s intensive agricultural use, so pay attention to the motorized traffic on the hilly and winding roads.