Ans on Lake Tange Sø: Nature, Trails and History

Ans is a place where waterways, trails and history come together. Lake Tange Sø shapes the surrounding area: Denmark’s largest artificial lake was created in 1920 by damming the Gudenå in connection with the construction of Tangeværket. The landscape around Ans is also characterised by numerous meltwater ravines that formed as the ice melted. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Ans can therefore combine their stay with experiences in nature, local history and various forms of active exploration.

Lake Tange Sø and the landscape around Ans

There is a designated bathing area at Ans Søbred. The Solsneglen sculpture also stands there, north of the toilet building. The woodland at Knolden offers a different view of the landscape, from where you can look out over Lake Tange Sø and Ans. This makes it possible to combine time by the water with a viewpoint in the woods, without every itinerary having to focus on the same things.

Lake Tange Sø also tells the story of a major intervention in the landscape. Its creation is directly connected with the damming of the Gudenå and the construction of Tangeværket. This connection between river, lake and energy facility gives the place a clear historical background and makes the lake more than just a body of water.

Walks and cycling tours with different focuses

For exploring on foot or by bicycle, you can use the Trækstien from Ans to Tangeværket. The route thus provides a direct connection between the town and the power station site. Another option is stage 14 of the Gudenåstien. It runs from Frisholtvej, the road across Lake Tange Sø, via Ans to Bjerringbro. Which route suits you better depends on whether you want to include a connection along the trail or a longer walking or cycling tour in your plans.

There is also a dedicated option for mountain biking enthusiasts: the MTB training course run by Ans IF is approximately 1 km long and includes blue and red categories. The course is intended for use by everyone; it is used at your own risk and with due regard for the signs. This allows you to complement an excursion on the trails by the lake with a sporting session on the training course.

Trading history, Ans Kro and a town walk

From the early Middle Ages until the expansion of the railway network towards the end of the 19th century, Ans was a trading and loading place for barge traffic on the Gudenå. This history remains particularly associated with Ans Kro. The inn can be traced back to around 1640 and was one of the boatmen’s inns on the Gudenå in the 19th century. It served as a resting place for barge traffic and thus points back to the period when the river was important for trade and transport.

Ans Church is also part of the town’s history. The Neo-Gothic church stands in the centre of Ans, became a landmark of the town and was finally inaugurated for full church services in 1958. A town walk leads along Vestre Langgade, Markedsgade, Søgade, Østre Langgade and Søndermarksgade. If you would like to get to know not only the landscape but also the character of the town, this walk can be planned as a separate activity.

Practical guidance for choosing your accommodation

For arriving by car, there is a car park at Ans Bro on Frisholtvej, on the eastern side of the lake. Ans can also be reached from Silkeborg, Randers and Bjerringbro by bus route 73. This information will help with your basic planning before you choose accommodation.

A holiday apartment in Ans is particularly suitable for an itinerary where you want to keep various ideas for the day open: time at the designated bathing area, a trip along the Trækstien, a section of the Gudenåstien, a view from the woodland at Knolden or a walk through the town’s streets. If you are travelling with children or in a group, you can vary your days without having to commit to exclusively sporty or exclusively cultural activities. For other destinations in your search, you can also look at Ans By and Roe.

For the broader travel overview: Silkeborg Municipality.

More travel destinations

More places within the same destination:

Guldforhoved, Gjern Municipality, Vrads, Skygge, Fårvang, Virklund.