The bridge was buried in 1929 using 14,000 cubic meters of earth to stabilize the railway track.
It was designed as a lattice girder bridge, a common engineering style for late 19th-century railway spans.
The project to 're-find' and uncover the bridge was initiated by the local municipality and completed for the 100th anniversary of the railway line's original opening.
The Gudenå River flows directly beneath the center of the span, carving through the hilly landscape of the Søhøjlandet region.
The bridge's restoration involved sandblasting the original steel to remove decades of rust and applying a protective coating to match its historical appearance.
Den Genfundne Bro (The Uncovered Bridge) is a 50-meter-long steel lattice bridge that was buried under an embankment for 85 years before being excavated and restored in 2014. Originally constructed in 1899 as part of the Horsens-Silkeborg railway line, the bridge spans the Gudenå River in the Danish lake district. It was buried in 1929 by the Danish State Railways to create a stable embankment, which effectively preserved the steel structure. Today, the bridge stands 13 meters above the river level and serves as a key feature of the Gudenåstien hiking and cycling trail. The structure is situated in a deep, forested valley that was formerly a railway passage. The restoration project aimed to revitalize the local heritage while integrating the bridge into the modern infrastructure of outdoor paths. It is managed as a public scenic attraction with no physical barriers or entry fees.
From the trail level at the bottom of the embankment looking up at the steel lattice frame.
Wear sturdy walking shoes, as the paths leading to the bridge can be uneven and muddy.
Bring a bicycle to traverse the surrounding Gudenåstien trail, which offers the best overall experience of the valley.
Check local weather reports, as the valley floor can be significantly cooler and damper than the surrounding high ground.
Do not attempt to climb or jump from the bridge railing, as the drop to the riverbed is significant.
Stay on marked trails to prevent erosion of the surrounding embankment.
