Tour suggestion: Culture & nature
Description of the culture & nature route
Start and end at Assens Havn.
Open the route on Google Maps by bike: Culture & Nature by bike.
Open the route on Google Maps by car: Culture & Nature by car.
Mariendal beach
Just beyond the harbour lies Mariendal Beach, featuring bathing piers. Continue along Mariendalsvej to the charming residential area with views of Bågø.
Aborg Nor (bicycle path only)
Further along, you will pass the dam and pumping station at Aborg Nor, where Puge Mølle Å flows into Little Belt. During the Viking Age, it was possible to sail up Puge Mølle Å, and the name Aborg indicates that a fortress once stood here. The dam was built in 1913 to prevent saltwater flooding from Little Belt. The area is rich in birdlife, including sea eagles, snipes, common sandpipers, and various ducks and geese.
Sandager Næs Camping
Take a detour to the campsite, where you can enjoy traditional ice cream cones, play mini golf, or try the high jumper. Continue down to the water, where you can explore the area by bike or on foot.
Baunet
Turn right at Baunevej. On the left, you will find Baunet, a beacon hill featuring a shelter and a bonfire site at the top. At the foot of the hill, there is a picnic area with tables, benches, and a playground. On the other side of the road stands Tvingsbjerg rear lighthouse, a black-painted tower. The surrounding valley is home to extensive vegetable farming, including asparagus, onions, strawberries, peas, potatoes, cabbage, and corn, which are sold in season at Torup Bakkegård’s farm shop.
Sandager Church
From the hilltop road, you get a view of Puge Mølle Ådal, including Sandager and Barløse Churches. The spire of Sandager Church was installed as a navigational marker by the Danish Lighthouse and Buoy Service. Follow Langemosevej and Barløsevej. Inside Sandager Church, you can see a Madonna statue carved by Claus Berg in the early 1500s. Continue right on Sandager Kirkevej, cross Middelfartvej, and proceed to Barløse Church.
Barløse Church
Perched high above the landscape, Barløse Church dates back to the 12th century and is one of the earliest Romanesque churches. The church’s hilltop location also makes it an official maritime landmark. From here, you can take a detour to Barløseborg Golf Club. Then, follow Langstedgyden, turn right onto Bæringvej, and then left onto Barløsevej.
Holevad Church
On the left-hand side, you will pass Holevad Church. From Middelfartvej, continue onto Bækagervej and Jørgen Brahesvej towards Brahesborg.
Brahesborg
The route passes Brahesborg Gods, originally built as a Renaissance castle in 1656 by Jørgen Brahe, known as “The Little King of Funen.” The manor was later rebuilt in a Neoclassical style in 1756 and purchased in 1828 by Supreme Court lawyer F.W. Treschow. It has remained in the family ever since. Take a short detour through the farm buildings and notice the stripes in the cobblestone paving near the main building - these are serfdom stalls. Each tenant farm had its designated space, allowing the estate steward to easily check if all workers had arrived for their duties. Turn left onto Brahesborgvej and admire the impressive suspension bridge over the moat.
Galleri Sulegården
Galleri Sulegården is a fine example of the West Funen sulegård style. A sulegård is a traditional farmhouse with a unique timber construction featuring suler - large supporting beams that carry the roof structure. This design allows for high ceilings and rounded corners in the barn.
Follow the route back to Assens.