Route 51:
Faaborg - Nyborg
Total distance: 72.5 km on tarmaced roads
Total distance: 72.5 km on tarmaced roads
Kaleko Mølle
Route 51: Faaborg-EspeJust before you come to Faaborg (see route 60) turn off to Kaleko Mill. A short cut through Alléskoven wood is to be recommended if you feel like studying some Stone Age dolmens en route.
There is tourist information at the mill. Kaleko Mill dates from the 17th century and is one of the oldest preserved mills in Denmark. In one of the buildings there is a fascinating museum which depicts the everyday life of a miller's family in the last century.
The road to Diernæs is an uphill climb, but you are finally rewarded by a magnificent view to the South once you have reached the top. It is possible to take a detour from Diernæs round the Holstenhus estate, with its castellated main building which was erected as late as 1910. The buildings are surrounded by stone walls. On your way back to Diernæs you pass the church ruins at Finstrup, where you can read about the demolition of the church.
Before arriving in Korinth you cycle through Gerup Skov - a large woodland area where paths and access roads lead down to a number of small lakes, including Sorte Sø. The soil is very poor here, so it is of great botanical interest.
It is possible to prolong your trip after Korinth, making a detour to the largest lake on Fyn, Arreskov Sø, and the Arreskov manor house. A short detour onto route 79 to Sollerup Hovedgård is recommended. A path leads from the farm to a bird observation tower at Arreskov Lake, which is also the source of the river Odense Å.
There is tourist information at the mill. Kaleko Mill dates from the 17th century and is one of the oldest preserved mills in Denmark. In one of the buildings there is a fascinating museum which depicts the everyday life of a miller's family in the last century.
The road to Diernæs is an uphill climb, but you are finally rewarded by a magnificent view to the South once you have reached the top. It is possible to take a detour from Diernæs round the Holstenhus estate, with its castellated main building which was erected as late as 1910. The buildings are surrounded by stone walls. On your way back to Diernæs you pass the church ruins at Finstrup, where you can read about the demolition of the church.
Before arriving in Korinth you cycle through Gerup Skov - a large woodland area where paths and access roads lead down to a number of small lakes, including Sorte Sø. The soil is very poor here, so it is of great botanical interest.
It is possible to prolong your trip after Korinth, making a detour to the largest lake on Fyn, Arreskov Sø, and the Arreskov manor house. A short detour onto route 79 to Sollerup Hovedgård is recommended. A path leads from the farm to a bird observation tower at Arreskov Lake, which is also the source of the river Odense Å.
Brahetrolleborg
As you approach Korinth you already catch a glimpse of the church spire of Brahetrolleborg Kirke. This huge manor-house complex was originally a monastery, built by the Cistercians in the 12th century. The present main building is a well-preserved abbey complex from the 13th century. The abbey church is now a parish church. One of the former owners of Brahetrolleborg was Johan Ludwig Reventlow who, in the late-18th century, showed considerable initiative in getting villein service abolished and introducing more humane conditions for tenant farmers. Brahetrolleborg is one of the most interesting estates on Fyn because of its long history. Originally it was a monastery. The land reforms around 1800 encouraged the development of local industries such as twist and damask weaving, and a hammer mill which produced agricultural tools. In addition schools were set up, the first teacher training college in Denmark was established, and other developments included a Flax breeding institute. Most of these buildings still exist in the area. The book "Castles and Manor Houses of Funen" offers more detailed information.
The villages of Hågerup and Espe are next along the route. Just outside Espe lies Boltinggård, after which there is only a short distance to be covered via the 'Go'e Bakke' road to the main road, which you are to cross. Continue towards the slightly larger village of Ryslinge, which has a longstanding Folk High School and Free School tradition.
The villages of Hågerup and Espe are next along the route. Just outside Espe lies Boltinggård, after which there is only a short distance to be covered via the 'Go'e Bakke' road to the main road, which you are to cross. Continue towards the slightly larger village of Ryslinge, which has a longstanding Folk High School and Free School tradition.
Ravnholt
Route 51: Espe-ØrbækOutside Ryslinge you can be in no doubt that another manor house lies in store for you. Open fields and a kilometre-long avenue of chestnuts lead up to the Ravnholt estate, which is one of Fyn's largest, covering an area of almost 30 sq km. The gardens are open to the public and from here you can look at the main building, which dates back to the 1500s, although it was considerably extended in the 1800s. The woods around Ravnholt are breeding place for many species of predatory birds and have considerable ornithological importance.
Ørbæk
Route 51: Ørbæk-NyborgYou now come to the penultimate manor house on this route: Lykkesholm. For centuries this building has been added to until it became the yellow-washed complex it is today. The buildings are surrounded by a millpond and the Old Mill. The New Mill has been moved to the Folk Museum. The large castle mounds of Magelund Voldsted from the Middle Ages are to be found in the local wood, with information concerning the original site of Lykkesholm.
Before entering Ørbæk you can stop off and look at a Neolithic burial site - the dolmens of Lindeskov. There are seven long barrows and a passage grave situated about 2 km from the route, which, nationally speaking, represents an unusual high concentration of very large dolmens. The next section of your route crosses the river of Ørbæk Å at several points, with its wooded valleys. At one point there is a millpond with a heritage water mill, 'Lille Mølle', which is still operational. It is probably Denmark's best-preserved water mill.
Continue along narrow, winding roads until you reach the main country road. Here you can enjoy the sight of many thatched smallholdings, with the low-lying meadowland of Holckenhavn Fjord to your North. At the roadside you will find the manor house of Holckenhavn (see route 50). You are recommended to go for a stroll in the manor grounds.
Before entering Ørbæk you can stop off and look at a Neolithic burial site - the dolmens of Lindeskov. There are seven long barrows and a passage grave situated about 2 km from the route, which, nationally speaking, represents an unusual high concentration of very large dolmens. The next section of your route crosses the river of Ørbæk Å at several points, with its wooded valleys. At one point there is a millpond with a heritage water mill, 'Lille Mølle', which is still operational. It is probably Denmark's best-preserved water mill.
Continue along narrow, winding roads until you reach the main country road. Here you can enjoy the sight of many thatched smallholdings, with the low-lying meadowland of Holckenhavn Fjord to your North. At the roadside you will find the manor house of Holckenhavn (see route 50). You are recommended to go for a stroll in the manor grounds.
Nyborg
Nyborg was the 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.
