Bro on Ærø – Trails and culture nearby

During a stay in Bro on Ærø, you can plan excursions by distance and theme. Nearby are the circular trail around Vitsø and historic sites; in the Municipality of Ærø, there are also longer hiking and cycling routes. If you’re looking for a hotel, you can first decide whether short walks, island routes or cultural sites should be your main focus.

Hiking trails of varying lengths

In the Municipality of Ærø, the Ærø section of the Øhavsstien is 36 kilometres long. It passes through Vitsø, Lille Rise Skov and Toftegårdsskoven. The marked footpath is reserved exclusively for hikers; posts and blue pictograms mark the route. Near Bro, the circular trail around Vitsø is approximately five kilometres long. The trails mentioned here therefore differ considerably in length.

The Kyststien runs from Marstal to Vitsø near Søby and follows the coast for most of its length. The Ø-CAMINO Ærø is a 64-kilometre hiking route around the island, running mostly along the coast. This lets you choose between a route with clearly named endpoints and a longer island trail. If you’re interested in the route, the coast is a defining stretch of the Kyststien; the Øhavsstien, in turn, passes through the named woodland areas and Vitsø.

Cycling and scenery

In the Municipality of Ærø, there are 150 kilometres of good, scenic cycle routes with no or little traffic. One specifically named circular route is 32 kilometres long and runs between Ærøskøbing and Marstal. It connects the two towns via a signposted cycle route network that includes villages, open fields and sea views. The 32 kilometres refer to this circular route; the 150 kilometres represent the extent of the cycle routes in the municipality. This lets you distinguish a single route with a set course from the wider choice of cycle routes.

Near Bro is Voderup Klint, a coastal landscape with stepped formations. These were formed when blocks of landscape moved down along the cliff after the last Ice Age. Paths invite you to go for a walk; a staircase leads towards the beach, and green areas offer space for picnics. Its geological origins and local paths make Voderup Klint a destination in its own right, alongside the longer hiking and cycling routes.

Church, manor and island history

Rise Kirke, near Bro, is originally Romanesque and dates from the late 12th century. The medieval gate Munkeporten, dated to around 1450, is set into the cemetery wall. Rise Kirke is listed as open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; these hours do not apply during church services or events. Check the opening times before your visit.

Søbygaard also combines history with seasonal offerings. The manor is considered Ærø’s last ducal manor and offers insights into the island’s history from the Ice Age to the present day. As a seasonal visitor centre, Søbygaard offers exhibitions, children’s activities by the moat, classical concerts and guided tours. The season runs from May until the autumn holidays; check the specific visiting dates before your trip. Søbygaard is located just outside Søby. Nearby are a medieval motte-and-bailey castle site and a bird area.

Near Bro, Ærø Bryggeri also tells the story of the island’s working life: the brewery is housed in former dairy buildings dating from 1880. Beer was brewed there from 1926; after a break, brewing resumed in 2004. Visitor offerings include beer tastings, tours and lunch. Borgnæs Teglværk was founded in 1847 and was one of the first brickworks on Ærø. These places add the history of brewing and brickmaking to the history of churches and manors.

Getting to Ærø and travelling around the island

Ferries to Ærø operate from Svendborg and Faaborg on southeast Funen, from Rudkøbing on Langeland, and from Fynshav on Als. In the Municipality of Ærø, free buses run year-round, with many stops between Søby, Ærøskøbing and Marstal. These connections offer different ways to plan your journey to the island and your travel around it. Check the current ferry and bus timetables before you travel.

Discover more destinations: Dunkær, Søby Ærø, Marstal, Kragnæs, Ærøskøbing, Skovby.

Return to the main travel overview: Municipality of Ærø.