Stage 7 of the Archipelago Trail on Ærø (36 km)

From Marstal to Søby through the Ærø countryside

On the Archipelago trail, you can explore Ærø on foot from east to west. The route runs from the maritime town of Marstal via Ærøskøbing to Søby, taking you through open fields, small villages, salt marshes and coastal landscapes with views of the South Funen Archipelago.

From the harbour in Marstal, the walk heads out into the countryside and on through Kragnæs, the Gråsten Nor nature reserve and Lille Rise. On your way towards Ærøskøbing, you reach the coast, where the Nevrestien trail takes you along the water’s edge to the old market town with its cobbled streets and well-preserved houses.

From Ærøskøbing, the Archipelago trail continues past the small, colourful beach huts at Vesterstrand and on along Ærø’s northern coast. Later, you’ll cross the island, passing the Søbygaard manor house and the Vitsø nature reserve, before the walk ends in the harbour town of Søby.

You can walk the entire route or break it down into shorter stages. Ærø’s free buses make it easy to travel between the island’s three largest towns and back to your starting point.

Top 5 experiences along the way

1. Experience Marstal’s maritime atmosphere before heading out into the countryside.
2. Walk through Gråsten Nor and enjoy the open countryside on the eastern part of Ærø.
3. Follow the Nevrestien trail along the coast towards Ærøskøbing.
4. See the colourful bathing huts at Vesterstrand near Ærøskøbing.
5. Discover Søbygaard and the countryside around Vitsø on your way to Søby.

Part of the Archipelago trail

The route on Ærø forms part of the Archipelago trail, which links walking trails around the South Funen Archipelago. The Ærø section is stage 7 and runs across the island between Marstal in the east and Søby in the west.

The Archipelago trail is designed for walkers and follows both footpaths and minor roads. Along the way, posts with blue pictograms show the way.

Read more about the Archipelago trail on Ærø, where you’ll find inspiration for your walk and descriptions of the individual stages.

Practical information about the route

The Archipelago trail on Ærø is 36 km long. You don’t need to walk the entire route in one go. The route can be split into two walks: between Marstal and Ærøskøbing, and between Ærøskøbing and Søby.

The terrain varies between footpaths and minor roads, so good walking shoes are recommended. Also remember to bring drinking water and some provisions for the sections that pass through open countryside.

The route passes through or close to several of Ærø’s towns and villages. The best options for shopping, places to eat and accommodation can be found in Marstal, Ærøskøbing and Søby. Along the way, there are also shelters and simple accommodation options in the countryside.

Ærø’s free buses connect the three largest towns and make it easy to plan a single stage without a car.

Map and GPX

Follow the blue pictograms of the Archipelago trail along the way. A digital map and a GPX file are useful supplements to the signposting and make it easier to keep track of the route from Marstal via Ærøskøbing to Søby.