[1] It comprises a collection of several independent private and public woodlands, that have been allowed to merge into a single connected forest south of the city of Silkeborg.

[2] The forests forms an important part of the larger regional landscape known as Søhøjlandet.

Silkeborg Forests are named after the city of Silkeborg, situated in the northern outskirts and the forest is naturally divided into a north, west, east and south section, known as Nordskoven, Vesterskoven, Østerskoven and Sønderskoven respectively.

[3] The protection comprises several conservationally important forest and aquatic habitats.

There are other important - but less extent - habitat types present, like the 54 ha Lobelian lake[7] of Almind Sø for example.