Experience Odense River by canoe - routes from Bellinge
Canoe routes for families, couples and friends
A varied canoe trip with nature and tranquility
The route from Bellinge is without a doubt one of our favorites when it comes to experiencing beautiful nature. The canoes are launched at the canoe bridge on Brogårdsvej, where the adventure begins. From here, the Odense River winds its way quietly through the Funen landscape. On both sides, the landscape rises in soft hills, where grazing animals, forests and meadows merge with open fields. This route brings you close to nature, with narrow passages and dense trees that almost embrace the river.
Remember to plan in advance if you’re taking the bus to Bellinge or if you need a car to pick you up at the end of the tour.
The canoes are at your disposal from 9 am to 6 pm, so there’s plenty of time to relax and explore. If you’re ready for a full day on the water, you can sail all the way to Stige Island – an experience you’ll never forget. This trip takes 8-9 hours. If you prefer a shorter trip, the 4-5 hour routes are perfect and among our most popular.
4 possible routes starting from Bellinge
Munke Mose - Skovsøen - Munke Mose
Bellinge - Skovsøen
This route is for those who want to experience the beautiful route from Bellinge, but don’t have much time available.
The canoes are left on the grass at the canoe bridge on the meadow at Skovsøen.
Duration: approx. 2 hours
Difficulty level: ★★★★★ (Moderate/Challenge)
Bellinge - Munke Mose (Most polular)
Sail from beautiful Bellinge towards Munke Mose in the center of Odense. On this trip, with the current, you can sail through beautiful nature and rich wildlife, with the opportunity to see kingfishers and herons frolicking in the beautiful nature. In addition to beautiful scenery, you’ll also pass the old paper factory and Odense Zoo, where you can spot some of the animals from your canoe.
You sail past Skovsøen, where you can take a break. Here you can eat food in the open air. There’s also the opportunity to use the toilet. If you fancy something for your sweet tooth, you can enjoy an ice cream at Skovsøen’s Ice House.
At Munke Mose it is also possible to buy old-fashioned ice cream cones, soft ice cream, slush ice, coffee etc. in Odense Aafart’s outdoor café.
The canoes are left on the grass at Aafartens Kanoudlejning on the left side of the river just after Kastanjevej.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Difficulty level: ★★★★★ (Moderate/Challenge)
Bellinge - Ejby Mill
Here you continue on from Munke Mose towards Ejby Mølle. On this stretch, you must bring the canoe ashore at the portage at Munke Mose. Here you use the canoe carriage provided.
From Munke Mose you sail into Eventyrhaven, a beautiful park in the middle of Odense, flanked by Sankt Knud’s Church to the left and a statue of H.C. Andersen looking out over the garden.
The river then winds through idyllic surroundings with old gardens and charming towns close to the water.
The canoes are left on the grass at the canoe bridge just before Ejby Mølle.
Duration: 4-6 hours
Difficulty level: ★★★★★ (Moderate/Challenge)
Bellinge - Stige Island
This is the longest route on the Odense River, and requires you to start at 9am in order to finish before 6pm.
At Ejby Møller is another portage, where the canoe must be landed and pulled on the cart past the wastewater treatment plant.
After Ejby Mølle, the landscape opens up and the buildings disappear, while forest and meadows take over.
You sail past the Botanical Garden where you can take a break. Then it’s a beautiful, but more open landscape through Åsum out to Stige Island.
The canoes are left on the grass by the canoe bridge at Det Varme Vand by Havnevej.
Duration: 8-9 hours
Difficulty level: ★★★★★ (Moderate/Challenge)
Bellinge-Munke Mose
The video shows the route from Bellinge to Munke Mose
Map: Starting point of the By-route - canoe bridge
The map shows the bridge where you start your canoe trip
PLEASE NOTE
Please note that the canoe trip from Bellinge can be difficult and challenging at low water levels (during periods with very little rain). Here you will experience passages with low water levels and around the highway you will encounter a rock formation where you have to get out of the canoe to pass.
The route can also be challenging during periods of HEAVY rain (after cloudbursts), as there will be increased water levels and strong currents. Only experienced canoeists should use the route from Bellinge.
You’re in the great outdoors and you may be unlucky enough to encounter a fallen tree or dense shrubbery.
Odense Aafart’s tour boats sail on the stretch between Skovsøen and Munke Mose, so you can experience some traffic on the river. When you meet the tour boats, please sail to the side, as the tour boats are not able to do so. The channel is located in the middle of the river.
Practical info for the trip
We've gathered the frequently asked questions below to help you prepare for your upcoming canoe trip.
How do we find our canoe?
Your canoe will be ready at the chosen pick-up location at the agreed time. Please note that especially in Bellinge there may be many canoes, some of which do not belong to us. To avoid confusion, your canoe will always be marked with our logo. In the canoe you will find the ordered life jackets and a delivery note with your name and the ordered equipment.
How many people can we fit in a canoe?
The canoes have 3 seats and can accommodate a maximum of 3 adults or 2 adults and 2 smaller children (max 35 kg per child). It is your responsibility to assess whether your children can share the center seat. However, for optimal stability, it is recommended that there are only 2 people in the canoe, as high weight can make the canoe unstable. The maximum load of the canoe is 400 kg, including luggage. Dogs are welcome, but at your own risk.
Can you bring music in a canoe?
We recommend that you don’t bring music systems on a canoe trip. It does not belong in the forest and nature. Soundboxes are not allowed in canoes. Respect it and other guests.
Please note that for the sake of neighbors, music must not be played at the drop-off point in Munke Mose.
Where are there canoe transfers?
Canoe portage means that you have to bring your canoes ashore and pull past an area where you can’t sail. There are no portages between Bellinge and Munke Mose, but if you go further north you may encounter two portages. There is a portage after Munke Mose and at Ejby Mølle. A canoe cart is included on these routes
Is bus transportation possible?
Stige Island – Bågøgade (Odense Municipality)
Skovsøen – Fruens Bøge St.
Bellinge – Brændekildevej (Odense Municipality)/ Bellingevej (Odense Municipality)
Ejby Mølle – Ejby Møllevej (Odense Municipality)/Østerbro (Odense Municipality)
Find your routes on Fynbus here.
How do I find the locations?
Here you will find maps of the different pick-up and drop-off locations:
Bellinge
Skovsøen
Munke Mose (Aafartens workshop)
Ejby Mill
Stige Island (The Hot Water)