The Black Cloverleaf Route is a 10.2 km route that takes you through the old, cosy villages of Skåstrup, Ørbæk, Ore and Mejlskov. Part of the way, you follow the old railway track between Bogense and Brenderup. There are hills and a little rise and fall in the terrain, and the landscape is beautiful, idyllic and unmistakably Funen all year round.

The route is suitable for both a good bike ride and a long walk, and there is a good path all the way – for both walking shoes and bicycle tyres.

What can you see on the route?

Along the route, you pass several sights:

Oregaard: An old manor house from the 13th century, which today is a conservation centre for old Danish livestock breeds.
Ore Church: A pretty old church from the 15th century.
The old railway line between Bogense and Brenderup: On the route, you follow the old railway line through the woods.

The Black Clover Trail – also called the village route

The route is also known as the village route because it leads through many small, cosy old villages such as Skåstrup, Ørbæk, Ore and Mejlskov. There are old, well-preserved houses, idyllic village ponds and hollyhocks, all with the feel of a classic Danish countryside idyll.

At Ørbæk, you pass many old fruit trees, as there used to be large orchards here.

Oregaard

On the route, you also pass the old manor house Oregaard. It was originally the main farm in the village of Ore, which comes from the Old Danish word “wara”, meaning common grazing land or outlying field. In 1231, it was mentioned as Scogbyoræ, meaning the outlying land of the nearby village of Skovby.

This main farm in the outlying land had fertile soil and was owned by the Crown, meaning the king, in the 13th and 14th centuries. Later, the manor was owned by various landowners and noble families, including the Lindenov family.

In 1720, the manor became part of Gyldensteen Manor until the land reforms of 1920, when the state divided much of the manor’s land into 16 smallholdings. So as you walk here, you can think about the fact that all the places you pass once belonged to Oregaard.

You can see the manor house from the road, and keep an eye out for the animals grazing in the fields close to the buildings – today, Oregaard is a conservation centre for old Danish livestock breeds.

You also pass the pretty old Ore Church from the 15th century, which was probably largely financed by the owners of Oregaard.

OMB and the Brenderup–Bogense railway

On the route through the woods, the path runs directly alongside the old railway line between Bogense and Brenderup. You also pass the old and rather small railway station in Mejlskov on Mejlskovvej, which can be seen from the road.

OMB was the railway between Odense, Middelfart and Brenderup, officially called Nordvestfyenske Jernbane. There was a branch line between Brenderup and Bogense. The railway opened in 1911 and was used frequently for many years. After the Second World War, passenger numbers declined, and the line closed on 1 April 1966.

All the old stations are still standing, including the one in Bogense, which is now a museum. You can still follow parts of the old track in several places.

So this is a genuinely historic route, where you can enjoy the same views of fields, meadows and woods as railway passengers did 100 years ago.

A few extra tips for the trip

The route is suitable for both cyclists and walkers.
Take your time to enjoy the cosy villages and beautiful countryside.
Look out for the old fruit trees near Ørbæk.
Remember to bring water and snacks for the trip.
There is usually parking by the village hall at Skåstrupvej 49. Otherwise, there are also plenty of parking spaces at Skåstrup Strand, which is close by
If you want to get to Skåstrup from somewhere else in North Funen or from a neighbouring municipality, it is possible to book a Flextrafik trip.
There are several cycle routes. You can follow Herregårdsruten (Manor Route), which also runs between Middelfart and Skåstrup and continues across Funen. You can also follow the coastal path between Bogense and Skåstrup.