Route 90-91-92
Ærøskøbing - Søby - Marstal - Ærøskøbing
Total distance: 60 km
52,75 km on tarmaced road and 7,75 km gravel path.
Total distance: 60 km
52,75 km on tarmaced road and 7,75 km gravel path.
Ærøskøbing
Route 90-91-92: Ærøskøbing-SøbyÆrøskøbing has many listed houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. Walking along its cobbled streets you pass many picturesque facades. One of the museums in the town has a collection of bottle-ships unrivalled anywhere in Denmark.
The market town is first mentioned in 1398. The island was for long periods under the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, and this is clearly reflected in the architecture of the town centre. The town has also played an important role in the history of shipping.
The market town is first mentioned in 1398. The island was for long periods under the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, and this is clearly reflected in the architecture of the town centre. The town has also played an important role in the history of shipping.
Stokkeby Nor
Stokkeby Nor is a former fjordland area which was reclaimed about a century ago and is now agricultural land. Part of the area lies below sea level. From here, continue up across "The Ærø Alps", the highest point being 68 metres above sea level. The lack of woodland is typical of West Ærø. Despite this, the countryside gives the impression of having many trees, thanks to the many field boundaries and hedgerows that in many cases follow the original enclosures of the late 18th century. A number of these boundaries are raised on dikes, with pollarded poplars marking the actual boundaries.
Route 91 starts in Søby. The shipyard of Søby skibsværft is the largest workplace on Ærø. Just outside the town you can see the thatched mill of Søby Mølle, a beautifully restored Dutch mill. The listed mill of Vitdø Mølle lies behind the salt meadows between the drainage of the cove of Vitsø Nor.
Søby Volde. From Lerby you can take a detour up to the castle mound of Søby Volde. The fortified castle used to overlook the then Vitsø Bugt bay and it is thought that it was built by royal command in the 12th century. It is Denmark's most striking castle mound. There is a tourist information board.
Opposite lies the restored manor house of Søbygård, which is being converted into a museum. Søbygård was one of the four estates on Ærø, all of which ceased to exist as a result of the Enclosure movement.
The church of Bregninge Kirke was built in the 13th century with a number of later extensions. The spire, clad with oak shingles, was added in 1883. There are many interesting murals in the church and the altarpiece is a beautiful piece of work by the master wood-carver Claus Berg who also made the altarpiece in the St. Knud's Cathedral in Odense.
Route 91 starts in Søby. The shipyard of Søby skibsværft is the largest workplace on Ærø. Just outside the town you can see the thatched mill of Søby Mølle, a beautifully restored Dutch mill. The listed mill of Vitdø Mølle lies behind the salt meadows between the drainage of the cove of Vitsø Nor.
Søby Volde. From Lerby you can take a detour up to the castle mound of Søby Volde. The fortified castle used to overlook the then Vitsø Bugt bay and it is thought that it was built by royal command in the 12th century. It is Denmark's most striking castle mound. There is a tourist information board.
Opposite lies the restored manor house of Søbygård, which is being converted into a museum. Søbygård was one of the four estates on Ærø, all of which ceased to exist as a result of the Enclosure movement.
The church of Bregninge Kirke was built in the 13th century with a number of later extensions. The spire, clad with oak shingles, was added in 1883. There are many interesting murals in the church and the altarpiece is a beautiful piece of work by the master wood-carver Claus Berg who also made the altarpiece in the St. Knud's Cathedral in Odense.
Vodrup Klint
Vodrup Klint is an area of national geological interest. The cliffs are made of landslide terraces, forming a steep cliff faces towards the sea.
They are several kilometres long and parts of them are open to the public. The terraces were formed by landslides that have caused the clay layers to form a backward tilting staircase. There is a tourist information board at the lay-by. Vodrup Klint is also a fascinating area when it comes to the wild flora.
The southern coastline of Ærø has several interesting ancient monuments. There are tourist information boards at the long barrows of Risemark and Gråsten Nor. Another historical attraction, a medieval castle mound "Gråsten" that was once used as a defence battery in the war against the English around 1808, lies close to the original road that linked East and West Ærø before the reclamation of land during the last century.
They are several kilometres long and parts of them are open to the public. The terraces were formed by landslides that have caused the clay layers to form a backward tilting staircase. There is a tourist information board at the lay-by. Vodrup Klint is also a fascinating area when it comes to the wild flora.
The southern coastline of Ærø has several interesting ancient monuments. There are tourist information boards at the long barrows of Risemark and Gråsten Nor. Another historical attraction, a medieval castle mound "Gråsten" that was once used as a defence battery in the war against the English around 1808, lies close to the original road that linked East and West Ærø before the reclamation of land during the last century.
Gråsten Nor
Route 90-91-92: Ærøskøbing-MarstalGråsten Nor is one of the region's largest meadowland areas. It is still contains uncultivated areas of considerable botanical interest, as well as being an important bird locality where you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of godwit or ruff. The remaining small ponds are a breeding ground for jumping frogs.
Marstal
Marstal is a shipping town founded in the 16th century. During the 17th and 18th centuries its living depended predominantly on the building and sailing of wooden ships.
Even today the town still retains the atmosphere of its former trade links with the entire world. The exciting shipping museum has a feeling of maritime pride about it - and not without due cause!
Shipping traditions are maintained by an impressive fleet of coasters that, together with a modern harbour, form the economic base of the town. Unlike Ærøskøbing, ships from Marstal sailed all over the world.
Between the towns of Marstal and Ærøskøping (Route 92) you can look at a passage grave from Neolithic times.
There is a tourist information board. When you arrive at the dike, you will get a grand view of the shallow waters of the cove. Ever finer is the view from the hill just outside. Lille Rise. From the layby you can see a large part of the archipelago, including Fyn. Tåsinge, Drejø, and almost all of the eastern part of Ærø. There are innumerable splendid vantage points on the island, worth pausing at to enjoy the magnificent views.
Even today the town still retains the atmosphere of its former trade links with the entire world. The exciting shipping museum has a feeling of maritime pride about it - and not without due cause!
Shipping traditions are maintained by an impressive fleet of coasters that, together with a modern harbour, form the economic base of the town. Unlike Ærøskøbing, ships from Marstal sailed all over the world.
Between the towns of Marstal and Ærøskøping (Route 92) you can look at a passage grave from Neolithic times.
There is a tourist information board. When you arrive at the dike, you will get a grand view of the shallow waters of the cove. Ever finer is the view from the hill just outside. Lille Rise. From the layby you can see a large part of the archipelago, including Fyn. Tåsinge, Drejø, and almost all of the eastern part of Ærø. There are innumerable splendid vantage points on the island, worth pausing at to enjoy the magnificent views.
Accommodation
Ærøskøbing Camping
Danhostel Ærøskøbing Vandrerhjem
Danhostel Marstal Vandrerhjem
Bed & Nature på Vesteraas
Danhostel Ærøskøbing Vandrerhjem
Danhostel Marstal Vandrerhjem
Bed & Nature på Vesteraas
