A trip to the lakes and Pipstorn Forest

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Distance 35 km South Funen’s fantastic natural environment is combined on this trip with an important part of the history of Denmark - among other things the repeal of serfdom and the first school reform.

Difficulty: On this trip there are some dirt roads. If you have narrow tyres, you can choose alternative asphalted roads. The roads are narrow with little traffic and there are many hills.

Suitability for children: There are few dangerous stretches of road. The route is hilly. The distance is not suitable for younger children.

Holstenshuus

Ride out of the town at the roundabout towards Diernæs at Faaborg Miniature Town, on Diernæsvej, turn right on Alléskovvej towards Pipstorn Skov/ Holstenshuus.

Lucienhøj and Pipstorn On the way through the Allé forest you should notice the small signs that refer to ancient monuments with a large number of fine long barrows. Turn right towards Pipstorn Forest along Lucienhøj and follow the dirt road until you reach the parking lot. Here there are tables and benches and fantastic views of the archipelago.

Pipstorn Forest is known for being one of Denmark’s largest prehistoric burial sites, an exciting place to explore (a separate brochure is available). Ride a little way back along Lucienhøj, turn right along the forest path until you hit Vingårdsvej to Diernæs. Turn right onto Tjenerhjørnet and ride straight along and continue on the Slotsalléen. You’ll pass the ruins of Findstrup church with a fine view.

You will also pass Holstenshuus estate with the main building from 1910. The park can be visited on payment of an admission fee..

Continue straight on Nyhavevej. Turn left onto Frederiksbergvej and ride along Sølvbjergvej. Turn right onto Frisenvængevej and continue on Faurshøjvej directly, and left onto Brændegårdsvej.

Brændegård Lake On the left you’ll see Brændegård lake, which with its 104 hectares is Funen’s second largest lake. Brændegård Lake is known for its cormorant colony and if you are lucky you might see a sea eagle.

Nørresø

Continue straight ahead and you will reach Nørresø on your right. Nørresø is 70 hectares and is beautifully surrounded by forest. A forest road leads around the lake with a fine view of the meandering shore and small islands, starting at the parking lot. It is a beautiful hiking route, which is also suitable for mountain biking, but not ordinary cycling. The lake, up to 6 metres deep, is a typical glacier formed lake where the water fills the lowest parts of this very hilly landscape. Ride a little way back along the road and turn right onto Nybo and Spanget.

The Rhododendron Park Immediately after the agricultural college, just before the road (A8), you can stop cycling and walk along the forest track until you reach an area with over 100-year-old rhododendron bushes, which bloom in May-June. This area overlooks the small lake and Brahetrolleborg Castle.

Brahetrolleborg Castle The castle was built as a Cistercian monastery in 1172. The castle and its garden on the other side of the lake are not accessible to the public.

Count Johan Ludvig Reventlow was one of the most notable people during the farmers’ reforms in the late 18th century, when the bondage system of serfdom was abolished. Early on, he himself worked on changes in the relationship between farmers and landlords. He founded the first three elementary schools and the first seminary. The first

of the schools that you ride past is Gærup School Museum as you continue your cycle tour across Nyborgvej to the right on the Viaduct.

Turn left onto Fleningevej and right onto Sybillevej, and the Gærup School Museum is on the right hand side. It is open every Saturday from 14-16 (entrance fee). Then turn to the right on Gærupvej, and to the right on Sollerupvej. At Sollerup, where the Forest and Nature Agency is located, you can take a detour by turning right along the path down towards Arreskov Lake, which is Funen’s largest lake, where there is an observation tower and a raft with a bench by the lake (follow the signs down by the lake). From Sollerup you can choose to follow the cycle route along the gravel road through the Svanninge Hills or follow Sollerupvej up to Odensevej. If you follow the gravel road, you can continue directly along the signposted dirt roads to Svanninge. A little way inside there is a marked rudimentary camp site with tables and a fireplace. Alternatively (on asphalt) follow Odensevej and turn up Ny Stenderupvej. At the sign for Svanninge, turn left onto Gammelskovvej. In Svanninge take the right on Kukkenbjerg and shortly after on the left to Vængegyden. At Nyborgvej turn left and follow the road to the roundabout, where you turn right towards Faaborg.