Cycling through Ærø’s landscapes and history

The Castle Route on Ærø takes you through 32.8 kilometres of the island’s varied landscapes. The route connects Søby, Ærøskøbing and Marstal, allowing you to experience coastal stretches, villages and historic settings at your own pace.

For much of the journey, the sea is close by. The views alternate between open fields, bustling market towns and coastal areas, where you can take a break and enjoy the view of the South Funen Archipelago.

One of the route’s natural highlights is Søbygaard. Here you’ll find Ærø’s only manor house, which has played an important role in the island’s history for centuries. The surroundings of Søbygaard offer an insight into the landscape and cultural life that have shaped Ærø over generations.

Top 5 experiences on the route

Søbygaard: Ærø’s only manor house and a key stop on the route.
The views over the South Funen Archipelago: In several places along the route, the landscape opens up towards the sea and the surrounding islands.
Ærøskøbing’s historic town centre: Cobbled streets and well-preserved houses create an atmospheric break on the journey.
Marstal’s maritime cultural heritage: Discover the town where maritime history still characterises the streets and harbour area.
The open landscapes between the towns: Here you’ll experience the sense of tranquillity, space and closeness to nature that characterises Ærø.

How to get around using the cycling node network

Download the GPX file to your sat-nav or set off to explore Ærø’s cycle network around the island via the many numbered junctions.

See which junctions you’ll pass on the Manor House Route on Ærø in the cycle node planner.

You can also pick up a physical cycle map showing the many numbered junctions at the tourist information centres on Ærø.

Part of the Castle Route on Funen

The Manor House Route on Ærø is one of a total of 14 stages on the complete Manor House Route on Funen, covering a total of 660 km.

The route connects Funen and the islands through landscapes, cultural history and manor houses. If you cycle several stages, you can experience some of Denmark’s most distinctive manor house settings.

On Ærø, the story takes on a distinctive island character, with the sea, the small towns and Søbygaard setting the scene for the experience.

See more about the Caste Route on Funen & Islands