Hjorte, Brænde Ådal and Tanderup Church

Brende Mill is a historic and scenic area as well as a starting point for tours through Brænde Ådal. Mill ponds, small streams and the river valley give the area its immediate landscape character.

Hiking and cycling in Brænde Ådal

There are marked hiking trails in Brænde Ådal. Parking is available at Skovbrynet and Brende Mill. At Klakkebjerg, there is also a shelter with a fire pit for basic overnight stays. The parking areas are located at Skovbrynet and Brende Mill; the shelter with a fire pit for basic overnight stays is located at Klakkebjerg.

At Brende Mill, there is a good network of paths around the mill ponds and the small streams branching off from the Brende Å. You can follow the river valley to the road to Assens. Cycle Route 71 runs through the Brænde Ådal area. Gelsted has a train connection. Route 71 and the train connection in Gelsted represent different means of transport that can be considered separately when planning an active day. For an active day, you can distinguish between the network of paths by the waterways, the river valley and the course of Route 71.

Historical traces in Hjorte

In 1396, Hjorte is documented under the historical form “Hiorvit”. Hjorte is considered a village that was largely bypassed by the economic development of the past century.

A festival in aid of Tanderup Parish Sick Benefit Association took place in Hjorte Holme Forest on 21 June 1891. Hjorte Holme Forest was located near the road to Assens and was considered easily accessible for guests from the surrounding parishes. The specific date of the event connects the forest with a clear historical reference within Hjorte.

Tanderup Church and the open landscape

In Hjorte By, the church council of Tanderup agreed to place an area extending 100 m from the cemetery wall under protection in order to preserve Tanderup Church’s open setting. The nearby Tanderup Church is a medieval church dating from around 1200; its baptismal font dates from around 1100. The baptismal font is thus attributed to an earlier period than the church building. Concerts and other musical events are occasionally held there.

A proposal for Brænde Ådal

On 29 January 2026, Danmarks Naturfredningsforening submitted a proposal to the Nature Protection Board for Funen to protect Brænde Ådal in the municipalities of Assens and Middelfart. The proposal covers 280 ha. The proposal concerns the wider landscape area, not just the mill site. This gives the landscape area, alongside the paths and waterways, a specifically dated connection to protection.

For further orientation, you can also visit Asperup, Bro, Viby, Husby, Røjle, Ejby, Båring Strand and Gelsted Parish.

To the main travel overview: Middelfart Municipality.