From Ærøskøbing to Søby with sea views

On the Ærø section of the Baltic Sea Route N8, you’ll cycle between Ærøskøbing and Søby through a landscape where hills, small villages and views of the South Funen Archipelago accompany you along the way.

From Ærøskøbing, the route heads towards Borgnæs Bay, where you’ll cycle close to the coast and can take a break at Borgnæs Beach. From here, the route continues into the undulating countryside towards Søby. The hills require a bit of extra effort on the pedals, but along the way you’ll enjoy several spots offering fine views of the island and the archipelago towards Funen.

On the way, you’ll pass through Skovby and close by Søbygaard, Ærø’s only manor house. Here you can get off your bike and explore the area’s cultural history before continuing towards Søby.

The route can, of course, also be cycled in the opposite direction. Whichever way you go, it’s a good idea to allow time for breaks along the way – both because of the hills and the many places that are perfect for a stop.

Top 5 experiences along the way

Start or finish your ride amongst the cobbled streets of Ærøskøbing. Don’t forget the bathhouses.
Take a break at Borgnæs Bay, and perhaps have a dip at Borgnæs Beach.
Cycle through Skovby and discover one of Ærø’s small villages.
Take a detour to Søbygaard and explore Ærø’s only manor house.
Near Søby, you can cycle a little further out to Vistø Strand – a lovely pebble beach with varying depths and beautiful sunsets.

Part of Ærø’s cycle network

The Østersø Route N8 is a national cycle route and also forms part of Ærø’s overall cycle network of junctions, ensuring that you cycle along the most cycle-friendly and scenic cycle routes on Ærø.

See which junctions to follow on the local N8 route

You can pick up a printed cycling map from the tourist information centres, and with the digital route planner you can explore Ærø’s cycle network and find more routes.

Practical information about the route

The stretch between Ærøskøbing and Søby is 18.5 km long and passes through undulating terrain. You’ll encounter hills, particularly on the western part of the route, so do allow a little extra time if you want to take breaks and enjoy the views along the way.

The Baltic Sea Route N8 is signposted as a national cycle route. The route can be cycled in either direction, and both Ærøskøbing and Søby have ferry terminals, so it’s easy to incorporate the route into a longer cycling holiday.

If you need a break along the way, you can also use Ærø’s free buses.

Maps and GPX

Follow the signs for National Route 8 along the way. If you’d like to have the route digitally, you can use maps and GPX files as a supplement, giving you a good overview of the journey from Ærøskøbing to Søby.

Part of the national N8

The Baltic Sea Route, National Route 8, is 820 km long and the longest in Denmark’s national cycle network. The Baltic Sea Route takes you through the most beautiful parts of Southern Denmark and offers unique experiences all year round. Even outside the peak season, there are opportunities to get a close-up view of local life and experience nature in spring, autumn and winter.