Ærøskøbing to Marstal Loop (32 km)

A cycling route between two historic market towns

The Ærøskøbing to Marstal loop takes you through two of Ærø’s largest towns before leading you into a landscape of small villages, vibrant cultural landmarks and open coastal stretches. Along the way, the scenery shifts between the sea, rolling fields and quiet country roads, with plenty of opportunities to stop for a break or take a detour whenever something catches your eye.

The loop is part of Ærø’s cycle network, which guides you safely through the countryside along signposted roads and paths. You can ride the route in either direction, and because it’s a circular route, you’re free to start wherever suits you best.

As in so many places on Ærø, the sea is never far away. It accompanies you for much of the journey and is a constant reminder that the island is surrounded by The South Fyn Archipelago. There’s plenty of room here for both active adventures and peaceful breaks with views across the water.

Top 5 experiences along the route

1. Explore the cobbled streets and colourful houses of Ærøskøbing.
2. Stop at Ærø Bryggeri for a delicious lunch and enjoy a locally brewed beer.
3. Visit Marstal and discover its rich maritime history, lively harbour and charming streets.
4. Take a break by the coast at Sankt Alberts Kirke and enjoy the views across The South Fyn Archipelago.
5. Drop by one of the local farm shops, cafés or artisan workshops if you fancy a break along the way, for example in the villages of Ommel and Kragnæs.

Part of Ærø’s cycling network

The route is part of Ærø’s island-wide cycling network of numbered junctions. The network guides you along the island’s most scenic and cycle-friendly roads, with small blue and white signs featuring numbers and arrows to show you the way.

See which junctions you need to follow on the Ærøskøbing to Marstal Loop

You can pick up a printed map of the cycling network at the island’s tourist information centres. In the digital route planner, you can view all the routes and put together your own tour.

Practical information about the route

The loop is approximately 32 km long and mainly follows paved roads, with a few short sections on compact gravel. The terrain is gently rolling and suitable for most cyclists.

As this is a circular route, you can start wherever suits you best. However, the route’s designated start and end node is in Ærøskøbing.

Along the route, you’ll find several Bike Friends, where you can top up your water, borrow a bike pump or get helpful local tips. If you’d like a break from cycling, you can also make use of Ærø’s free buses, which connect several places along the route.

Map and GPX

As the route is signposted via the cycling node network, you won’t need a map or GPX file. However, both are available on this page and on the printed cycling map if you prefer to navigate that way.