Trail 16, Langeland
Trail 16 is an 11 km route from Tranekær to Dageløkke, taking you past Tranekær Castle, Botofte Bog, open landscapes and small woodland sections before ending in the cosy harbour environment of Dageløkke.
This text is an excerpt from the book about the Archipelago Trail and therefore contains more background, detail and inspiration than the shorter trail leaflets.
Hesselbanke
Heading north from southern Tranekær, the Archipelago Trail reaches Hesselbanke after about half a kilometre—one of Langeland’s highest “hat hills”, rising 38 metres above sea level.
From the top there is a fine view of the back of Tranekær village and the large estate fields to the west, bordered by green woodland edges. Just southwest of the hill stands one of the island’s most impressive oak trees.
The word hessel is Langeland dialect for hazel, and the hill is named for the hazel that once dominated its slopes.
Åsø Forest
After half a kilometre on paved road, the trail turns north onto a forest track through Åsø Forest. From here, you have views eastwards over Tranekær and the avenue north of the castle.
In late summer and autumn you may sense the presence of game management—pheasants are released here and wildlife feeding takes place.
The Low‑lying Area
North of Åsø Forest lies a low area where a drainage channel carries water westwards to the pump house at the dike facing the strait between Langeland and Funen.
Looking east, you will see Kohavehus, once used by Tranekær estate workers to keep watch for poachers. Locally, it was known as the Posekigger House.
Kohave Forest
The Archipelago Trail continues through Kohave Forest. The word have means “enclosed land”—once, the cattle belonging to Korsebølle grazed here, and around 1800 the forest was planted to secure timber supplies.
In the latter half of the 1900s, the forest was turned into ornamental greenery production (mostly noble fir), profitable but poor for biodiversity.
Remains of an Old Brickworks
About 100 metres before leaving Kohave Forest, look to your left. Toward the coast you can see earth mounds from an old brickworks mentioned in estate accounts from 1618–1620.
Brickmaking on Northern Langeland
Several brickworks once operated along the northern coast.
Clay suitable for brick burning was deposited in ancient meltwater lakes: red clay (for red bricks) lies near the surface; deeper layers contain blue clay (for yellow bricks).
Because bricks were heavy and difficult to transport inland, kilns were built close to the coast for easy shipping.
At least two shipwrecks loaded with bricks lie off the island’s west coast.
The Long Barrow South of Helletofte Beach
South of Helletofte Beach lies a long barrow from around 3600 BC—once containing two burial chambers. It sits atop a coastal cliff and has a small picnic “coffee spot.”
A primitive campsite is located near Helletofte Beach.
Feriepark Langeland
One kilometre north of Helletofte Beach lies Feriepark Langeland at Emmerbølle Beach, offering food, supplies and accommodation.
Egeløkke
North of the campsite, field tracks lead to Smedebjerg Kohave and Egeløkke. Step into the old woodland and enjoy the “column hall” of beech trunks.
Egeløkke is private—please show respect.
The estate has belonged to the Wenzel Knuth family since 1925, was first mentioned in 1426, and is known for its connection to the story of Grundtvig and Constance Steensen‑Leth.
Peter Willemoes
The national hero Peter Willemoes stayed at both Egeløkke and Tranekær with Grundtvig and Constance.
He became a Danish legend after the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801 at just 18 years old, and died in combat in 1808 aboard the Prins Christian Frederik.
Traces of a Lost Brickworks
Continuing north, you may spot fragments of bricks on the beach—remains of a long‑vanished coastal brickworks west of Egeløkke.
Dageløkke also had a large brickworks. Today the area hosts a holiday complex and marina.
Dageløkke Harbour, built in 1898, was used to ship bricks and to serve steamships.
The red wooden shed once functioned as both waiting room and storage house.
Dageløkke
Two kilometres north of Travens Vænge lies Dageløkke.
Before reaching the village, you pass large glacial boulders—indicator stones showing the ice sheet’s movement direction during the last Ice Age.
Travens Vænge Forest
Travens Vænge lies directly on the coastal cliff, with wind‑shaped deciduous trees and a fine view toward Funen. Along the northern edge is a low earth wall, possibly from the 1805 forest protection decree.
Special spots along the way
Take a small detour on your walk and discover some of the special spots hidden across Langeland.
