Dunkær / Rise

Vikings & Bronze age burials

The start and finish are not quite the same point, so this is a “nearly-loop”! The best start point is Dunkær Kro, and the better finish point is in Rise. There is a bus stop and parking at both locations and it is actually only a short walk or very short bus ride (but on the main road) between the two. So, ideally, take the bus to Dunkær Kro and then at the end take the bus from Rise (it’s the same bus route, going one way to Marstal and the other to Ærøskøbing).

The walk’s highlights are the “Langdysse” stone age burial mounds at the top of Lindsbjerg, from where the views are spectacular, along with the site of the Viking trading centre and the church of Sct Albert. The Ærø brewery is worth visiting especially in high season when it is open for lunch and drinks.

• Langdysse on Lindsbjerg is a really lovely place with several stone and bronze age burial mounds. The site was used as a lookout by German troops during the 2nd World War, who moved the stones to make defences. Unfortunately the restoration after the war seems to have been less than accurate. The views over the island and out to sea are magical. To the south east is the island of Langeland. On a clear day to the south you can often see interesting looking ships heading in or out of Kiel - worth having an app like “Shiptracking “ to see what they are. It’s a great place for a picnic or tea break.

• Vikings! In 2008 and again in 2021 a major discovery of coins (some Arab and others from the court of Charlemagne) and other artefacts near Skt Albert's Church shed new light on Ærø's status as a major Viking trading centre. Due to the dangers of sailing the Mediterranean in the 9th and 10th centuries the preferred trading route from Constantinople was overland to the Baltic ports, and then by sea to Hedeby, near Schleswig. Ærø lay directly on this route - hence its importance. There’s nothing to see at present and the finds are unfortunately in the Langeland Museum and the National Museum.

• Sct Alberts Church. The dikes are the remains of the early Viking fort, built to protect the nearby trading centre. Within the fort, at a later date, a small Christian church was added. This is a really good place for a sheltered picnic.

• Ærø brewery is a lovely spot and produces some great beers - in high season it is open for lunch, tours and of course beer.

Refreshments - the options are Dunkær Kro and the brewery. The Kro is very much a workers’ pub and maybe not ideal for family hikers, but the beer is fine. The brewery in Rise is great for a post-walk treat, but do check the opening hours (tel 32521132 or on the website Ærø Bryggeri) before you go. There lots of good picnic spots, my favourites being the top of Lindsbjerg if it is not too windy, or Sct Albert’s church.

Accommodation - an option is the Kro, which has simple rooms, but you might consider taking the bus back to Ærøskøbing or Marstal. Gravendal, the big farm you pass on the descent from Lindsbjerg, is now a B&B and should be a lovely place to stay. There are shelters near the car park where the route hits the beach, if you don’t mind the wooshing of the giant wind turbines.