In the heart of Denmark lies Fyn – a large, green and cycle-friendly island that is just waiting to be explored
With their 1,200 km of signposted cycle routes, Fyn and the Archipelago give cyclists of all ages the chance to explore widely varied cycling terrain: from flat stretches close to the coastline, to hilly roads winding their way between fields and through idyllic villages and market towns.
A cycling holiday on Fyn also provides a peerless opportunity for you to take your bike “island hopping” and discover the special way of life on the numerous small islands scattered around Fyn, or explore the delights of the bike-friendly city of Odense, which features both centuries of history and modern metropolitan life with a strongly beating pulse.
The cycle routes wind their way through the famous Fyn landscape, which was carved out by ice age glaciers around 15,000 years ago. When the ice began to melt 8–10,000 years ago, huge volumes of water flowed into the seas, leaving behind gently undulating countryside and, in particular, the “flooded landscape” of the South Fyn Archipelago.
To the north lie the flat stretches of heathland, while the “big” hills and woods are to be found in the southern parts of the island, with the gentle hills of Central Fyn nestling in between. Even though distances are short, the experiences vary widely: you can start the day riding between grand country estates with their alleys, woodland and fields, and finish up cycling along twisting country lanes bordered by lilac hedges, admiring magnificent views, or simply relaxing in the shade of a giant oak.
Wayside stalls loaded with farm produce, fresh strawberries and cherries can easily tempt you to take a short break or two. The small villages along inland sections of the route and the larger market towns dotted along the coast present all kinds of accommodation, charming cafés and restaurants – and help tell the story of the island’s proud seafaring heritage. Fyn is also blessed with an impressive 123 castles and manor houses. Many of them are open to the public for special events, markets, guided tours of the buildings and grounds, and open-air concerts.
Fyn has a long coastline – around 1,200 km all told. In relation to the total surface area of the island, this is almost twice the average for Denmark. And wherever you may be on the island, you are never more than 30 km from the coast. This means that Fyn and the Archipelago have more than their fair share of historical harbour towns, beautiful cliffs and dunes, and wonderful beaches. Go “island hopping” in the Archipelago – there are over 100 islands and islets around Fyn.
Many of them are inhabited and feature networks of small, inviting cycle paths. In years gone by, South Fyn and the islands just off the coast made up the heart of Danish shipbuilding. The island of Ærø and the city of Svendborg bring you particularly close to the maritime era, where you can “travel” through the history of Danish seafaring from the 1600s to the present day. There are ferry connections to and from several of the islands, so you can spice up your cycling holiday with a magnificent island break where you can experience the island landscape and way of life for yourself.
The cultural landscape of Fyn features a host of small villages, and you will not have to cycle far to travel from one to another. Fyn is also the site of nine market towns, spaced fairly regularly along the coastline. In many of these towns you can admire historical timber-framed buildings, visit museums and squares, browse local markets and experience the special atmosphere of the harbour areas, which are the setting for all kinds of activities.
The “capital” of Fyn is Odense, home to around 200,000 people and a rich cultural life. It is an extremely bike-friendly city with more than 400 km of cycle paths for you to use. In many places, cyclists and motorists are physically separated to make it safe and easy for cyclists to access everything the city has to offer.