Denmark’s highest tourist attraction An age-old feud on height How is it, now? Is it Ejer Bavnehøj, the rival Yding Skovhøj, or perhaps even the recently discovered Møllehøj that boasts the title of being the highest point of Denmark? This question is a sure hit in wagers and quizzes all over the country. For opinions are varied – and have been for a considerable number of years. As late as 1847, Himmelbjerget – the Sky Mountain (147 metres) – was still officially recognised as highest point of Danmark and still is, as far as a number of foreign visitors to Denmark are concerned. Actually, Ejer Bavnehøj held the first place up until 1941, where Yding Skovhøj took the title. In 1953, with an advantage of no more than 6 cm, Ejer Bavnehøj reclaimed the throne after an emotional feud on height. In that year, a professor established that you cannot include manmade elevations – comprising the grave mounts found at Yding Skovhøj. Only the naturally created surface of the ground counts. This induced another professor to dig further into the subsoil on a hunt for natural levels. In 2005, he proclaimed the hitherto neglected ‘summit’ of Møllehøj to be the winner, thus degrading Ejer Bavnehøj, also resting on a grave mount, to a third place. Once again, passions ran high. This is why various encyclopaedias, travel guides and websites will provide contradictory information as to heights. However, a sound Solomonic bid is that Møllehøj and Ejer Bavnehøj – located within a distance of only 270 metres from one another – is one and the same top with a total height of 170.86 metres. To make things easier and come to terms with facts and one another, the entire unique ridge in the Ejer Bavnehøj area has been awarded the collective name Ejer Bjerge. The friends get going For centuries, it was common practice to light a bonfire on the beacons round the country when the enemy was about. This simple warning system was in use well into the 19th century – also on Ejer Bavnehøj. Otherwise, the beacon led a quiet life until 1917 where”Aktieselskabet for Ejer Bavnehøj” (the Ejer Bavnehøj Company) was established and managed to schedule the area as open space. In 1920, when North Schleswig was reunited with the motherland, a huge reunion stone was erected. In 1924, the “men of the area” erected the 12.5-metre-high reunion tower, owing to a large-scale fund-raising campaign. Every August, the reunion is commemorated at Denmark’s highest located open-air meeting. In 1979, the tower was presented as a gift to the Municipality of Skanderborg; and, in collaboration with Ejer Bavnehøjs Venner (Friends of Ejer Bavnehøj), a major and much needed restoration of the tower was carried out. The masonry was given a solid facelift. Also, the area in general benefited from granite covering, lighting and information boards. The tower was equipped with the country’s highest lift of its kind. Accessibility for everyone is in the high seat, here at the top of Denmark. Most recently, there has been extensive improvement: for instance a new road system, more parking spaces and an information buil-
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ding, comprising a kiosk, kept open during the summer season. The sculpture of the formidable witch, Ma Ram, is a fun part of the experience. According to legend, she rescued the church in Ovsted from being crushed by the dragon; but, generally, she is said to have numerous accidents in the Ejer Bjerge area on her conscience. Lots of activities In recent years, Ejer Bavnehøj has developed into being the highest located tourist attraction in Denmark. Buzzing with life, the summit is the centre of a profusion of cultural activities such as e.g. musical events, the Highest Marathon of Denmark, cycle races, Constitution Day celebrations, plus an array of events for all age groups. If you still have not come by the top, the view in itself is worth a trip – by car or on foot. The unique moraine landscape, dating back to the last Ice Age, meanders its way through the land south of Ejer Bavnehøj. A fact you will also become aware of if you take a walk in the landscape – along Denmark’s highest trail. The Ejer Bavnehøj trail is a beautiful, albeit challenging, hiking trail weaving its way across the Møllehøj to Møgelhøj. At Møgelhøj, the trail provides both shelters, tables and benches, and a toilet. The route is an element in the open-air activity BestigBjerge.dk (climb mountains) where everyone can explore summits and collect height metres. Viggo Rasmussen Ejer Bavnehøjs Venner (Friends of Ejer Bavnehøj) 55