Himmelbjerget, or "Sky Mountain," sits at the edge of Lake Julsø, a short boat trip or walk from Ry. At 147 metres it is one of Denmark's highest points — a qualification that says less about the mountain than it does about Denmark — but the views from the summit tower are genuinely lovely: a panorama of lakes, forested hills, and the river Gudenå winding through the valley. On a clear summer day the horizon stretches further than you would expect.
You can reach Himmelbjerget by a traditional paddle steamer that has operated on Lake Julsø since the nineteenth century, or by walking through the forest from Ry. The summit has a café and a stone tower, and on summer weekends it draws a steady crowd of Danish families. The walk through the forest from the lake landing is short — about twenty minutes — but pleasant. In autumn the beech forest colours are outstanding.