Emborg can be explored through two distinctive themes: the history of the monastery around Øm Abbey, and the birdlife and trails around Mossø. There are also various ways to experience the area—from a short circular walk to a longer cycle ride or a boating route. To plan your visit, it helps to first choose your main interest: cultural history, wildlife watching or a particular way of getting around.

Øm Abbey: garden knowledge and history

The Munkekanalen runs about 1 kilometre east of Øm Abbey. The straight canal is 1.5 kilometres long and 8 metres wide; parts of it are still visible today. With its clear, straight lines, it is a distinctive feature of the landscape around the abbey.

The Øm Abbey Museum has reconstructed elements of a monastic medicinal herb and brewing garden. The monastery garden has 63 square beds and a total of 80 cultivated plants that were used in the Middle Ages as medicinal plants, culinary herbs or for household purposes. The brewing garden grows, among other things, hops, barley for malt and bog myrtle, which were used in brewing beer. The beds, plants and their uses give the garden a tangible connection to the monastic traditions of plant cultivation and brewing.

One of the museum buildings at Øm Abbey displays the history of the abbey, as well as finds and skeletons from the excavations. Along with the garden, the archaeological finds and the abbey’s history are among the cultural heritage themes to explore here.

Bird areas and views around Mossø

Emborg Odde is a bird sanctuary where a colony of black-headed gulls breeds. Hulbakken near Emborg offers a good view of the sanctuary. The natural area is dotted with trees and slopes down towards Mossø. Here, a view of the bird sanctuary combines with a distinctive landscape.

The “Mossø, Lindholm Hoved” walk also leads to a special spot for observing nature: around Emborg, it passes through willow and alder thickets to a birdwatching tower at the foot of Lindholm Hoved. From there, you can observe Mossø’s varied birdlife. Emborg Odde and the viewpoint at Lindholm Hoved offer different experiences for anyone interested in birds.

Circular walks, cycle route and Gudenå Trail

The approximately 2-kilometre circular walk “Mossø, Emborg Vestermark–Dalgård” passes through open conifer plantations, afforested farmland and pastures by Gudensø. The varied landscape is one of the distinctive features of this walk. The 28-kilometre “Around Mossø” cycle route is a longer option and passes through protected and characteristic natural areas. At Emborg, it goes past the former Cistercian monastery of Øm Abbey, where a monastery museum now stands.

The Gudenå Trail is now a path between Voervadsbro and Emborg Bro. From Emborg Bro, the section is signposted as the Aarhus–Silkeborg walking route. On the Gudenå Trail, the path runs as a narrow track between a stream and steep slopes. When choosing between the routes, you can consider different factors: the length of the circular walk, the natural scenery along the cycle route or the trail’s course.

A boating route with a view of Øm Abbey

On the “Gudenå River: Klostermølle–Silkeborg, approx. 30 km” boating route, travellers can go ashore at the Dalgaard landing stage on Gudensø. The landing stage is about 300 metres to the right of the lake’s inlet; Øm Abbey is visible from there. This option therefore differs from the walking and cycling routes both in how you travel and in the view of the abbey.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Emborg, your preferred travel focus can help you decide where to start: Øm Abbey brings together the garden, brewing traditions and archaeological finds; Emborg Odde and Hulbakken offer birdlife and landscapes. For outdoor plans, you can then choose between a circular walk, walking route, cycle route and boating route. The named places, activities and route lengths provide specific points to consider.

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