Døn Valley - Døndalen
Døn Valley – Døndalen – on Bornholm’s north coast is one of the island’s most atmospheric natural areas. Here, lush forest, steep cliffs and one of Denmark’s highest waterfalls create a truly unique experience. Follow the stream through the valley and discover the impressive waterfall cascading down the rocks. In spring, the valley comes alive with wildflowers, wild garlic and birdsong.
Denmarks highest waterfall
In the middle of the Døndalen (translatable as "The Thunder Valley") you'll find Denmark's highest waterfall - with around 20 metres (or 65 ft). From the cliff called Amtmandsstenen, "the stone of the bailiff", you'll have a unique and breathtaking view over the tree tops, the sea and all the way to Christiansø..
Døn Valley (Døndalen) is remarkably beautiful all year. But the rift valley is most beautiful just before the leaves burst and when the forest floor is filled with windflowers and the bear's garlic, and when you can hear the nightingale sing between the cliffs.
Hiking in Døndalen
The easiest walk through Døndalen to the waterfall is just under 2 km there and back. It takes about an hour and is along wide, well-maintained forest paths. It can therefore also be done by people who are not so good at walking and with small strollers. The stairs that lead up to the Amtmandsstenen viewpoint are more demanding, however.
For experienced hikers, the walk can be continued further up past the waterfall and out to Røvejen. The walk there and back is then about 4 km and can be done in 1.5 hours. Up from Røvejen you can see the entire valley from its opposite side. On this slightly longer walk, you can also notice the difference between the almost park-like Døndal (from the parking lot and up to the waterfall) and the rest of the valley, which is laid out as untouched forest and therefore appears completely primeval.
It is recommended to wear rubber boots when visiting Døndalen in winter and spring, but it is definitely worth the mud and trouble – especially when the thaw sets in after a long and snowy winter. Then the Døndalåen river fills with the abundant amounts of meltwater, and really makes a splash in the waterfall!
The wide Døndal
Døndalen differs from other Bornholm rift valleys by being significantly wider. The reason is to be found in its geological origin. Unlike the other rift valleys, Døndalen was created when a piece of the bedrock sank below the surrounding terrain as a so-called grave sinking. Døndalen covers an area of 37 hectares, of which approximately 1/3 is laid out as untouched forest, which ensures a rich fauna and flora.
Døndalen was protected in 1975, and is today owned by the Danish Nature Foundation.
Facilities
- Marked-out routes
- Hike Friends
Routebeschrijving
Søndre Strandvej
3760 Gudhjem
Laatst bijgewerkt door::Destination Bornholminfo@bornholm.info
