Route description:

Stenhuggerstien is not just steep, rocky and hilly: It’s also of historical interest. Because here on the “back” of Hammerknuden, in many places you’ll walk exactly in the footsteps of the stonemasons as they walked to and from their homes in Sandvig and the rock face to break granite or to Hammerhavn (Hammer Harbour) to excavate stones.

If you park at Sandvig beach, the route starts just north of/next to the Sandvig Strand campsite: Follow the red dots west across the grass opposite the beach, through the gate, up over the rocks and then left and steeply down again to the gravel path north of Hammersø.

The next kilometre or so is straight ahead along the lake, before you have to climb steeply to the three “floors” of the former quarry just before Opalsøen (the Opal Lake). The first part of the path runs on the remains of an old track, where the tip wagons once drove loaded with granite. Then you’re out in the open and have a great view of northern Bornholm. From up here you can see both the old stonemasons’ houses, Hammershus and Lake Hammersøen about 50 metres below you.

The route winds down again past the impressive Opalsøen in the middle of the former granite quarry and on to Hammerhavn. Take a break here before continuing up to Lake Hammersøen and the easy, undulating gravel path on the lake’s southern shore.

The last part back to Sandvig beach and the car park is on paved road through Sandvig.

Facts:

Duration:

An hour and a half
Length:
Almost 6 km (round trip)
Difficulty level:
Difficult. The terrain is hilly and rocky
Suitable for prams and wheelchairs:
No
Parking:
In the car park at Sandvig beach, at Opalsøen (the Opal Lake) or in Hammerhavn(Hammer Harbour)
Toilets:
In the car parks
Access to water:
In the car parks
Surface:
Nature trail and rocks
Special remarks:
Take the path in a clockwise direction, which is also the way shown by the arrows.

Written by Gitte Holtze

Hiker and outdoor freak as well as journalist, lecturer and author of "jeg lever" about Gitte's hike along the Pacific Crest Trail and "Gå langt", a guidebook to long hikes.