As flat and grey as western Thy is, as hilly and green is eastern Thy. This also applies to the protected Skyum Mountains, whose hilly terrain seems to have been given a few extra folds down towards the Limfjord. The reason for the preservation is a total of 17 Bronze Age burial mounds, six of which are beautifully arranged in a row across a ridge. To preserve the open areas of heather, Gotlandic fur sheep are allowed to graze on the steep slopes. There are public footpaths in the area.
Landscape
The Skyum Mountains are a very hilly landscape, reaching a height of 47 metres and forming part of the Limfjord coast down towards Vilsund. The gorges and valleys were created by meltwater erosion at the end of the last ice age. From the cultivated land you walk through a sparse spruce forest to an incomparable view of the mild fjord. A short stretch of grassy foreshore transitions to a few metres of sandy beach, which welcomes the quiet lapping of the Limfjord. On the beach, there are beautiful views of both flat, reed-covered beach meadows and old, steep coastal cliffs from the Stone Age sea.
Plant life
On the high, dry hills grow among others heather heath , wavy bunch , English grass , heather sedge , yellow thrush , tormentil , hairy hawkweed , winged periwinkle and cat's beard , but also common kingpin , fragrant yarrow , cordgrass and grainy saxifrage . In the more humid parts, orchids such as flesh-coloured cuckoo , May cuckoo and spotted cuckoo can be found, as well as cranberry , blueberry , bog myrtle and reed can be found in the area.
Wildlife
During the breeding season, a number of species characteristic of open woodland can be seen, including the great spotted woodpecker , the woodpecker and various tits. In the marshes there are reed sparrows and reed warblers .
Cultural history
In the heather-clad hills lie 17 Bronze Age burial mounds, six of which are beautifully lined up across a ridge. There have been other mounds, but they have disappeared over time, mainly due to ploughing. In some of the mounds, precious grave goods such as ring gold or bronze weapons and jewellery have been found.
Similar finds have been made from here and down to Ydby Hede, which is called the ancient cemetery because of the many burial mounds in the area. This suggests that there was a lively trade in the area, as ring gold was used as a means of payment at the time. Trade benefited from the fact that ships could easily dock along the coast.
On the shore, about 500 metres to the south, is a large walking block measuring 4 x 4 x 2.5 metres. According to legend, the stone was thrown by a giant on the island of Mors, who was aiming for Skyum Church, but missed. It is also said that the stone turns when it smells freshly baked bread in Gærup (the village just north of it)!
Source fredninger.dk
