Route 8
Spodsbjerg - Svendborg - Bøjden
73.5 km : 0 km unsurfaced roads.
73.5 km : 0 km unsurfaced roads.
Spodsbjerg
Route 8: Spodsbjerg - TroenseThe trip begins in Spodsbjerg, which is an attractive small fishing town where fishing is still an important industry. Once outside you can soon glimpse the hat-shaped hills that are so typical of the island. They were formed during the last Ice Age by deposits from the Great Belt glacier. On the island there are more than 1000 of the 'hats'. The constantly changing scenery of Langeland includes coppices, arable land, meadow and marshes.
Rudkøbing
Langeland is only 11 km across at its broadest point, so the trip across to Rudkøbing is soon completed. In Rudkøbing there are old urban houses worth looking at. A number of 18th century structures and merchant's town houses clearly witness the fact that the town was once an important commercial and shipping centre. The town was granted its charter as a market town as far back as the 13th century. In the market square there is a statue of the physicist H.C. Ørsted, who was born here in 1777. His discoveries include electromagnetism and the method for producing aluminium.
Tåsinge and Valdemars Slot (Valdemars Castle)
Tåsinge is mostly a very fertile island. At one time the entire island belonged to the castle estate of Valdemars Slot. Before the bridge across Svendborg Sound was opened in 1966, the island was a node for ferry connections between Fyn, Langeland and Ærø. Lunkebugten, the bay which cuts into the eastern coastline of the island is an area of shallow water with many species of web-footed and wading birds.
Once having passed Nørreskov wood you can see the church of Bregninge Kirke. From the church tower there is a magnificent view making this detour a must on a clear day. It is said that on a clear day it is possible to see more that 60 other church towers. Opposite the church lies Tåsinge Skipperhjem og Folkemindesamlingen (Captain's home and Folklore Collection).
Just before you reach the castle you can stop and look at the 700-year-old oak tree, "Ambrosiusegen" (information point). Before you come to the oak, you will see the 800-year-old castle mound of Kærstrup, Valdemar Castle's predecessor. The main building of Valdemar Castle was built in 1754. It now enjoys the reputation of being one of the country's finest manor-house museums, its interiors representing a number of architectural periods. Surrounded by its two gatehouses, stables, castle lake and tea pavilion, the castle is one of the loveliest examples of the late-Baroque.
Once having passed Nørreskov wood you can see the church of Bregninge Kirke. From the church tower there is a magnificent view making this detour a must on a clear day. It is said that on a clear day it is possible to see more that 60 other church towers. Opposite the church lies Tåsinge Skipperhjem og Folkemindesamlingen (Captain's home and Folklore Collection).
Just before you reach the castle you can stop and look at the 700-year-old oak tree, "Ambrosiusegen" (information point). Before you come to the oak, you will see the 800-year-old castle mound of Kærstrup, Valdemar Castle's predecessor. The main building of Valdemar Castle was built in 1754. It now enjoys the reputation of being one of the country's finest manor-house museums, its interiors representing a number of architectural periods. Surrounded by its two gatehouses, stables, castle lake and tea pavilion, the castle is one of the loveliest examples of the late-Baroque.
Troense
Route 8: Vindeby - NakkebølleTroense is one of the finest skipper towns in the country. There is an excellent maritime environment here, with shipping and sailing-ship traditions. Grønnegade is famous for its beautifully restored listed half-timbered houses from the 18th century. In the old school there is a shipping museum, where you can follow the history and cultural aspects of the shipping trade.
Leaving Troense, drive through Vindeby (the town of the Wends) to the bridge over Svendborg Sound, which offers a spectacular view of both the town and the water.
Leaving Troense, drive through Vindeby (the town of the Wends) to the bridge over Svendborg Sound, which offers a spectacular view of both the town and the water.
Svendborg - Nakkebølle
Det nye NaturamaSVENDBORG: The largest country town in South Fyn. It has most of the archipelago as its hinterland and a history that goes back to the 13th century. Today, Svendborg is a dynamic commercial and cultural town that, apart from the offshore islands and the yachting environment, has a number of attractions, including the museums of "Anne Hvides Gård", "Viebæltegård" and "Naturama".
From the beach of Lehnskov Strand there is a view of Tåsinge, Skarø, Hjortø and Drejø - some of the islands that make up the South Fyn Archipelago.
The route moves slightly inland between Ballen and Strandhuse, but there is a sea view once more when you reach Nakkebølle Fjord. Before coming to Nakkebølle an embankment takes you across an area of reclaimed marshland which lies one metre below sea level. Nakkebølle was once a sanatorium for TB patients and then became a centre run by the Danish organisation for assisting asylum seekers. It now belongs to a controversial educational organisation called Tvind.
From the beach of Lehnskov Strand there is a view of Tåsinge, Skarø, Hjortø and Drejø - some of the islands that make up the South Fyn Archipelago.
The route moves slightly inland between Ballen and Strandhuse, but there is a sea view once more when you reach Nakkebølle Fjord. Before coming to Nakkebølle an embankment takes you across an area of reclaimed marshland which lies one metre below sea level. Nakkebølle was once a sanatorium for TB patients and then became a centre run by the Danish organisation for assisting asylum seekers. It now belongs to a controversial educational organisation called Tvind.
Faaborg
Route 8: Nakkebølle - Bøjden Nor5{s out to the islands run from Faaborg. You can enjoy the virtually car-free tranquillity out on the archipelago.
Passing through Faaborg the trip continues out to Horne Land. This peninsula is rich in burial mounds, dolmens and stone walls.
Passing through Faaborg the trip continues out to Horne Land. This peninsula is rich in burial mounds, dolmens and stone walls.
Horne - Bøjden Nor
Horne was established in the Viking Age and was once Denmark's biggest village. This accounts for the size of the church, which is Denmark's only round church outside Bornholm.
Although originally built as a round church and a fortification, it has been subject to a number of subsequent extensions, so that it is now a combination of a round church and a basilica-plan church. In the 19th century a pompous 'count's pew' was added - a first-floor area resembling a box at the theatre - designed for nobility from the nearby castle of Hvedholm Slot. The castle now welcomes guests for coffee or to stay the night, and is in a lovely location.
There are many old half-timbered houses in Horne, as well as an intact former windmill.
The trip ends at point of Bøjden Nor. The point is a bird sanctuary and winter resting place for many wading birds and ducks.
Although originally built as a round church and a fortification, it has been subject to a number of subsequent extensions, so that it is now a combination of a round church and a basilica-plan church. In the 19th century a pompous 'count's pew' was added - a first-floor area resembling a box at the theatre - designed for nobility from the nearby castle of Hvedholm Slot. The castle now welcomes guests for coffee or to stay the night, and is in a lovely location.
There are many old half-timbered houses in Horne, as well as an intact former windmill.
The trip ends at point of Bøjden Nor. The point is a bird sanctuary and winter resting place for many wading birds and ducks.
