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Denmark’s National Route No. 10 - Touring Bornholm
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The sun, the cliffs to the north and the long, broad sand beaches to the south make the rocky island of Bornholm something very special. Distances are short on Bornholm, and you will find that the artistic, handicraft and decorative art attractions, fine swimming opportunities and the natural sights are in a class of their own. Bornholm has some of the best cycling tracks in Denmark. Bornholm is situated in the middle of the Baltic, and there are several ways of arriving on the island – all of which, however, involve a ferry or a plane. Read more about the practicalities on www.bornholminfo.dk
The route is 105km long, but there are so many possible detours that you may easily spend a week, or even two, cycling on Bornholm. 10% of the route is unmetalled, while the rest of the route follows tarmacked tracks, small county roads, forest roads and lanes. The route is slightly to very hilly on the north of the island and absolutely flat on the south side. You may follow the route in either direction.
This is the only place in Denmark where the signs are different from the blue signs with red/white numbers. On Bornholm, the route signs are green, displaying the number 10 in red. One map, Bornholms Amt covers the entire island.
If you start in Rønne and go north clockwise towards Allinge, you will get to the hilly part first. From Rønne, a nice cycling track leads you to Hasle through Blykobbe Plantage. North of Hasle you pass two small fishing hamlets, Helligpeder and Teglkås. The small vehicular road ends at Ginesminde, but the cycle track continues up through some of the island’s most impressive rocky coasts, over a 115m long staircase, which is, however, difficult to pass with a trailer and very heavy luggage.
On your way, you will pass Jons Kapel with steep, vertical mountain sides sloping towards the sea, the great granite quarry in Ringebakkerne, the fishing hamlet of Vang and Slotslyngen near the castle ruins of Hammershus at the northernmost point of the island. There are deep gorges alternating with magnificent views along the coast, and when the weather is clear over Hammervandet towards Skåne, you can see the old Danish landscape – now part of Sweden.
The characteristic beauty of the east coast of Bornholm, from Allinge to Svaneke, is something very typical of the island: prehistoric memories, a fantastically impressive rocky coast, obscure, cool rift valleys cutting into the country from the coast. And Allinge, Gudhjem and Svaneke – the three old towns that have all grown around a natural rocky harbour.
Having visited Svaneke, you go on through Årsdale, Neksø and Snogebæk, approaching the southernmost point, Dueodde, which consists of kilometre after kilometre of the finest white sand. The water is well suited for children, and getting the children away from this place will be difficult. Leaving Dueodde you will proceed through farmland back to Rønne.
Bornholm’s fishing culture is reflected everywhere, although fishing no longer plays a dominant role on the island. Smoked herring is the national dish on Bornholm, and you can get it fresh and warm all through summer in one of the many smokehouses. There are herring smokehouses in Hasle, Allinge, Gudhjem, Årsdale, Svaneke, Nexø, Vestre Sømark and Arnager. All have set up outdoor facilities with benches and tables where you may sit and relish your herrings.
Bornholm is a national gem and a truly attractive holiday island. I do not know anybody who has not been captivated by the island, and I always recommend others to go there on their next holiday.
Search for accommodation and attractions along the route.
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