Route 6
Middelfart - Odense - Nyborg
Total distance: 89 km
84 km on tarmaced road and 5 km gravel path
Total distance: 89 km
84 km on tarmaced road and 5 km gravel path
Middelfart
Route 06: Middelfart - LangesøMIDDELFART: Fishing, ferry traffic and fortifications have been typical for this city throughout its history. The town was granted a charter as market town during the Middle Ages and had its golden age as the custom house on the Little Belt until this task was taken over by Fredericia at the end of the 17th century. Despite this, the town continued to have certain importance. Today it is a modern commercial town with a number of listed old buildings. The military importance of the Middelfart-Fredericia area is evident from the approx. 70 fortifications along the Little Belt in the vicinity of the two towns.
A short visit to Hindsgavl castle is strongly recommended. Most of the park is open to the public. It was originally a fortified royal castle, of which only the castle mound now remains. The present-day Hindsgavl was built in the neo-classicist style in 1784. A path takes you to the castle mound and to the sound of Fænøsund.
To the east of Middelfart follow the country road from Middelfart through flat open arable land. At the point where you leave this road more undulating countryside begins, with scenery that includes coppices, meadows, marshes and lakes.
A short visit to Hindsgavl castle is strongly recommended. Most of the park is open to the public. It was originally a fortified royal castle, of which only the castle mound now remains. The present-day Hindsgavl was built in the neo-classicist style in 1784. A path takes you to the castle mound and to the sound of Fænøsund.
To the east of Middelfart follow the country road from Middelfart through flat open arable land. At the point where you leave this road more undulating countryside begins, with scenery that includes coppices, meadows, marshes and lakes.
Båring og Brenderup
Båring and Brenderup are famous for their educational vision, and the competition between tenants and farmers, so it is not by accident that they both have high schools.
From Sletterød it is only a short distance to the open farm at Billesbølle and the amusement park Fyns Sommerland. Both are superb for children.
Paddesø Church sits beautifully in the landscape. It is rather unusual for a Fyn village church as instead of being whitewashed it is built from kilned red brick and has a base of granite. The church was built in 1881 and was designed by H.A. Vilhelm Haugsted, who also designed the chapel in the woods at Langesø.
From the church there is a route to the Fyn Aquarium - follow the road towards Assens briefly and then take the left turn to Roldvej. The aquarium has fish from all over the world and also has aviaries with birds such as parrots.
Another possible detour is to the manor house of Rugård. The place is mentioned in records as far back as 1398, when it was royal residence. In the 17th century it had a total of 174 copy-hold farms under it. The present main building dates from 1874 and is in the Dutch Renaissance style. At Svanemøllen, also known as "Red Mill" because of the deep red of the bricks between the black timbering a mill has been in operation since the 17th century. The present structure is from the mid-19th century.
From Sletterød it is only a short distance to the open farm at Billesbølle and the amusement park Fyns Sommerland. Both are superb for children.
Paddesø Church sits beautifully in the landscape. It is rather unusual for a Fyn village church as instead of being whitewashed it is built from kilned red brick and has a base of granite. The church was built in 1881 and was designed by H.A. Vilhelm Haugsted, who also designed the chapel in the woods at Langesø.
From the church there is a route to the Fyn Aquarium - follow the road towards Assens briefly and then take the left turn to Roldvej. The aquarium has fish from all over the world and also has aviaries with birds such as parrots.
Another possible detour is to the manor house of Rugård. The place is mentioned in records as far back as 1398, when it was royal residence. In the 17th century it had a total of 174 copy-hold farms under it. The present main building dates from 1874 and is in the Dutch Renaissance style. At Svanemøllen, also known as "Red Mill" because of the deep red of the bricks between the black timbering a mill has been in operation since the 17th century. The present structure is from the mid-19th century.
Langesø
Route 06: Langesø-RønningeThe foundation-owned forestry area at the lake of Langesø is highly diversified. The woods are a favourite destination for the inhabitants of Odense, and contain a lake, a castle and a chapel. There is a bridal path which takes you from here right to Rugårdsvej near the centre of Odense.
Odense
Brandts Klædefabrik, OdenseOdense can be traced back to the time of the Vikings, when there was a ring fortification down by the river. At the end of the 18th century, Odense was Denmark's largest city outside Copenhagen. The "capital" of Fyn offers many attractions and lots of entertainment. The Tourist Bureau can give you lots of information about these, and places to stay.
Odense airport is at Beldringe, east of route 35 and is the largest airport on Fyn. However, since the opening of the Great Belt Bridge in 1997/8 it has lost some of its importance, as with the new road and rail link it is only an hour and a half to Copenhagen. At Beldringe there is a historical centre, housed in a World War Two bunker. The museum has displays about the air war over Fyn and the Home Guard. (Note the opening times are restricted - information available from Otterup Tourist Bureau, tel: +45 6482 3200.
Odense airport is at Beldringe, east of route 35 and is the largest airport on Fyn. However, since the opening of the Great Belt Bridge in 1997/8 it has lost some of its importance, as with the new road and rail link it is only an hour and a half to Copenhagen. At Beldringe there is a historical centre, housed in a World War Two bunker. The museum has displays about the air war over Fyn and the Home Guard. (Note the opening times are restricted - information available from Otterup Tourist Bureau, tel: +45 6482 3200.
Fraugde Church
Fraugde Kirke is an impressive village church which, in the 17th century, belonged to the property of Fraugdegård, the owned by the bishop and writer of psalms Thomas Kingo. The interior of the church is predominantly from the Renaissance period, where there is an extremely beautiful sepulchral tablet commemorating Thomas Kingo and his wife. The church contains a number of sepulchral monuments, including those of noble families from Hollufgård.
Tarup-Davinde & Rønninge
Route 06: Rønninge-NyborgDavinde and Rønninge a little further along the route are typical east-Fyn villages. In Davinde there is an old village meeting place, where the stones form a ring round an old lime tree that is encircled by a millstone.
The old Tarup-Davinde gravel pit is just to the south of the route, and now includes a wonderful "nature area" built up as a result of the excavations over the years. It is well worth a visit, even if only for a picnic. Displays and folders about the area can be seen at Ålykkestedet, just north of Hudevad
Rønninge has retained its original 800-year-old street plan and contains a number of half-timbered houses, with the church at the centre and five streets stretching out in all directions.
The old Tarup-Davinde gravel pit is just to the south of the route, and now includes a wonderful "nature area" built up as a result of the excavations over the years. It is well worth a visit, even if only for a picnic. Displays and folders about the area can be seen at Ålykkestedet, just north of Hudevad
Rønninge has retained its original 800-year-old street plan and contains a number of half-timbered houses, with the church at the centre and five streets stretching out in all directions.
Nyborg
There is an excellent view of the river Vindinge Å from the church square in Vindinge. This is a tributary of Holckenhavn Fjord, to the south of Nyborg and possibly used in the medieval period as a transport route into the east-Fyn area.
NYBORG: Seat of the national assembly in the 12th-15th century. If you are interested in Danish history, the town has much to offer. The oldest parts of the castle, Nyborg Slot, date as far back as c. 1170, though many alternations have since taken place. The town also has a number of medieval buildings such as "Korsbrødregården" and "Mads Lerches Gård", now a museum.
NYBORG: Seat of the national assembly in the 12th-15th century. If you are interested in Danish history, the town has much to offer. The oldest parts of the castle, Nyborg Slot, date as far back as c. 1170, though many alternations have since taken place. The town also has a number of medieval buildings such as "Korsbrødregården" and "Mads Lerches Gård", now a museum.
