Den Genfundne Bro – Vestbirk, Central Jutland

Hidden deep in the forest near the Gudenå River, Den Genfundne Bro — “The Rediscovered Bridge” — is one of Denmark’s most remarkable blends of history, engineering, and nature. Built in 1899 as a railway bridge and buried beneath an earth dam in the 1920s, it lay forgotten for nearly a century until it was rediscovered and restored in 2014. Today, the bridge stands once more above the green valley of the Gudenå, glowing in warm rust-red steel against a backdrop of trees and water.

The name could not be more fitting: walking across the bridge feels like crossing between past and present. The structure is both delicate and powerful — a lattice of riveted iron arches suspended 15 meters above the river below. From the middle, the view opens up across meadows, forest, and the gently winding Gudenå, Denmark’s longest river. The sound of water and birds drifts up from below, and the soft scent of pine and moss fills the air. It’s an unexpected sight in the heart of rural Jutland — industrial beauty returned to nature.

Den Genfundne Bro has quickly become a symbol of rediscovery and renewal, showing how something man-made can be reborn as part of the landscape itself. The restored bridge is now part of a peaceful walking and cycling trail, attracting visitors who come not for spectacle, but for the quiet poetry of a structure reclaimed by time. For photographers, it’s a gift: geometry and color, symmetry and softness, all framed by the forest and sky.

Best time to visit

• Morning for soft forest light and fewer visitors.
• Late afternoon or sunset for warm tones on the bridge.
• Autumn for golden foliage and mist over the river.

Practical tips

• Located near Vestbirk; parking area and visitor center nearby.
• Short, easy walk (approx. 1 km) from the car park to the bridge.
• Combine with the Vestbirk Lakes and Gudenå Path for longer walks.
• Ideal spot for drone and long-exposure photography.