Bække-Vejen

Selected experiences on the route

Klebæk Høje, Bække Monuments
In the northern part of Bække, you can visit Klebæk Høje, also known as the Bække Monument, which encompasses three historical periods in one place.

Klebæk Høje consists of two domed burial mounds from the Bronze Age, a 45-meter-long ship setting, and a runestone from the Viking Age. Additionally, a medieval cart track crosses the monument, representing a small part of the ancient Hærvej. The monument is situated 81 meters above sea level at the highest point in Bække Parish.

Here, you can experience three historical periods at the same location, showcasing the significance of Hærvej: the peat-built burial mounds from the Bronze Age, which were erected over distinguished families in the community around 1500-1200 BC, and 2500 years later, during the Viking Age, a 45-meter-long and 10-meter-wide ship-shaped stone setting was raised by Ravnunge-Tue in memory of his deceased mother, Vibrog.

During excavations in 1957 and 1958, the foundation of the ship setting was investigated, revealing one of Denmark's largest. All the stones are oriented with their flat sides towards the center of the 'ship', which served as a burial site.

At Klebæk Høje, you gain insight into the past's significance for the area and can experience monuments from three different historical periods.

Klebækvej 8, 6622 Bække

Protected Hærvej
Just north of Bække, at the parking lot west of the Ribe-Vejle Highway, you will find an authentic section of the ancient main road: Hærvej. Here, you can still see the original course of the road.

Hærvej was not a constructed road, but rather a track that was worn down by repeated traffic and then shifted to a new track, and at this place, Hærvej has been about 90 meters wide.

The major thoroughfare through Jutland from Viborg to Schleswig has many names: Hærvej, Ox Road, or Pilgrim's Way. It was primarily used as a drover's road for cattle being driven to the North German markets, but pilgrims also used it to head south. If you are coming from Hærvej's hiking or cycling route, you should make a detour.

This small and authentic piece of Hærvej was protected in 1927. Thanks to a local landowner who donated the land for preservation, you can still sense the road's nature and environment more than 1000 years later.

Ribe-Vejle Highway 65B, 6622 Bække

Monument Park at Skibelund Krat
Skibelund Krat serves as a beautiful monument park commemorating past struggles and community, and is a significant place in relation to the Reunification.

The park was established in 1865 as a national rallying point after the loss of the duchies of Schleswig, Holstein, and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria. At Skibelund Krat, they fought for the right of Southern Jutlanders to preserve their Danish language, culture, and values.

In the park, a total of 22 memorial stones have been erected for people who have been significant to Skibelund and the Southern Jutland cause, which was fought from here. You will see that today the monument park is surrounded by memorials for Danish personalities, including Ludvig Schrøder, Poul la Cour, and H.D. Kloppenborg. The most popular artworks in Skibelund include 'The Mother Tongue' and 'The Magnus Stone'.

When you come to Skibelund Krat, you enter an ancient oak thicket on the steep river valley slope down towards the Kongeå River. If you look up into the treetops, you will see that the thicket has areas with large beech trees. Skibelund Krat tells the story of the long-standing effort to have Southern Jutland returned as part of the Danish realm.

Today, Skibelund Krat is managed by dedicated volunteers from the Skibelund Association, who ensure the preservation and maintenance of this historical and cultural gathering point.

Skibelund Krat 4, 6600 Vejen