Cycle through Denmark's archipelago

Arrival on your own to Odense, Denmark's third largest city and birthplace of the country's perhaps most famous author, H.C. Andersen. The storyteller pops up here and there in the more than thousand-year-old city, so feel free to take the opportunity to stroll around the centre before the cycling adventure begins. Here you'll find, among other things, Sankt Knuds Kirke, one of Denmark's most important Gothic buildings and a memory from the city's prosperous medieval era. The day is free for sightseeing, dinner and charging up ahead of tomorrow's first stage.

Now the cycling trip really begins. You leave Odense and follow cycle route 55 south through the lush landscape of Funen, the island often called Denmark's garden. Along the way you pass Egeskov, a magnificent Renaissance castle where it's well worth planning a stop. You then continue towards the south coast and reach Svendborg by the island-studded Svendborgsund. Depending on the day's hotel, you cycle around 50 or 60 km. If you're staying in Troense, you continue over the bridge to Tåsinge along cycle route 8. A nicely gentle start to the journey through the classic green Danish cultural landscape.

After breakfast you roll across the Svendborgsund Bridge to Tåsinge and approach the charming sailing town of Troense. Here lies Valdemars Slot, a grand manor house from the 1600s beautifully situated right by the water. The cycling continues over the small island of Siø and further across the Langeland Bridge to the long, narrow Langeland. Today's island-hopping doesn't end there, however: from Spodsbjerg you take the ferry over to Tårs on Lolland. From there you continue cycling to Nakskov, the island's largest town. If there's time left, you can visit the sugar museum and learn more about an industry that has long been of great importance to the area.

Today easy cycling kilometres await, straight through the heart of Lolland. The landscape is nearly pancake flat and you largely follow fine cycle paths through a peaceful cultural landscape with wide views. From Nakskov the journey heads east towards Maribo, and today's shorter stage gives plenty of time to take it easy along the way and look for a good café. Once there, a walk through Maribo's cosy centre and a visit to the stately cathedral are recommended. Depending on which accommodation has been assigned, the day ends in Maribo or nearby Holeby.

Yet another pleasantly flat cycling day awaits. Feel free to take one last lap through Maribo's small streets before setting course for Falster. Via Guldborgsund you reach Nykøbing Falster, the port city on Denmark's sixth largest island. Half-timbered houses, the monastery church and the town's characteristic water tower give the centre its special character. Just outside the town lies Middelaldercentret, a large open-air museum where late medieval Denmark is brought to life. Depending on hotel and chosen route, you may continue south towards Marielyst, known for its long sandy beach. Today's cycling therefore varies between about 30 and 50 km.

After breakfast you head north along Falster's east coast. The terrain continues to be pleasantly flat and the Baltic Sea keeps you company for parts of the day – perhaps a dip is tempting. Hesnæs is a nice place for a break, with a beach and a small fishing village known for its distinctive houses with thatched façades. A few kilometres later you reach Stubbekøbing, where the ferry takes you over to Bogø (the ferry ticket is paid on site). From Bogø you continue on two wheels to Møn and finally Stege, the charming little main town on the island. An eventful day with about 70 km in the saddle.

Today the bag doesn't need to be packed – you take a round trip from Stege to one of Denmark's great natural wonders. Møn manages to squeeze in a surprising amount of landscape on a fairly small island, from flat meadows to beech forest and steep coastal stretches. The highlight is Møns Klint, where chalk-white cliffs rise up to 128 metres above the sea. You cycle through the beech forest Klinteskoven all the way to the cliffs. Here you can park the bike and take the stairs down to the shingle beach to experience the formations from below. You then cycle back through Møn's greenery to Stege.

You leave Møn via the impressive Dronning Alexandrines Bro and cross over to Zealand, Denmark's largest island. The cycle paths become somewhat more undulating today, but the landscape is still gently rolling. Via Præstø you continue towards Faxe Ladeplads, where the fine sandy beach is perfect for a lunch break, a barefoot walk or a quick dip. The journey then continues north to Rødvig. Already at the harbour you get a hint of tomorrow's great natural experience: the dramatic cliffs at Stevns Klint. After a good number of kilometres there's every reason to settle down by the sea and enjoy the evening.

The trip's longest cycling day begins with Stevns Klint's dramatic coastal landscape. Be sure to make a stop in Højerup, where the old church now stands right at the cliff edge after centuries of erosion. You then continue to the medieval port town of Køge with well-preserved half-timbered houses from the 1500s and 1600s. On Kirkestræde you'll also find what is considered Denmark's oldest dated half-timbered house. Here you choose: continue cycling along the coast all the way to Copenhagen, or finish today's cycling after about 35 km and take the train from Køge (train ticket not included). Either way, Copenhagen awaits as a reward, perhaps Europe's most relaxed capital, thanks in large part to the sparse motor traffic – here the bicycle reigns.

After breakfast the cycling trip from Funen to the Danish capital comes to an end. In ten days you've managed to cross an impressive collection of islands, rolled through green farming landscapes, visited small port towns and stood both above and below Denmark's white chalk cliffs. If you're not in a hurry to get home, Copenhagen is of course an excellent place to add an extra night or two, and we're happy to help you with that.