In the area around Rø, forest landscapes, marked hiking trails and traces of earlier land use come together. Rø Plantation covers about 600 hectares and is approximately 150 years old. Birch trees and numerous conifers define the forest area, along with forest lakes and beech woodland. If you are looking for accommodation in Rø, you can plan your outings according to trail length, terrain, scenery or historical interest.
Forest, ravines and a dammed lake
Borgedalssø lies in the Søndre Borgedal ravine. After a severe storm in October 1967, which brought down trees across large parts of the plantation, the stream was dammed to create a water reservoir for storing the timber and protecting it from rot and insect infestation. The lake thus connects a striking landscape feature with the forest’s earlier use.
Nordre Borgedal is a ravine with steep rock walls on both sides. The northern rocky slope is planted with conifers; birch trees and Scots pines grow in the ravine. Together with the forest lakes and beech woodland, this shows that the area is home to more than one type of forest.
Choose hiking trails by length and route
Two marked trails in Rø Plantation pass over Borgen. The approximately 3-kilometre Stien Borgen runs from Borgedalssøen via the hillfort and back. The roughly 6-kilometre Borgedalsstien also passes over the hillfort and additionally through Nordre and Søndre Borgedal. Both trails therefore include Borgen; the longer one also takes in both ravines. The 67-kilometre Højlyngsstien also runs through Rø Plantation.
Plan for the terrain and accessibility
Parts of the Stien Borgen and Borgedalsstien trails cross steep, difficult terrain and are not suitable for pushchairs. Rø Plantation is only partly suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility: the hiking trails are not wheelchair-accessible, and the forest tracks have steep gradients. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
Cycling is permitted in Rø Plantation on purpose-built paths and roads that appear suitable for an ordinary bicycle. This restriction is important when choosing a route: the rule does not apply indiscriminately to every path in the forest.
Traces of the Iron Age
Borgen is an Iron Age refuge or settlement fort. In the event of an attack, people from the surrounding area could seek shelter there with their livestock and belongings. The marked trails pass over the hillfort, allowing you to combine a hike through the plantation with a visit to this historically significant site.
In Rø Plantation, Stenvarpen marks the highest point in the forest. The small cairn is 119 metres above sea level and served as a landmark during the heathland era. It is another historical point of interest in the forest landscape, alongside the Iron Age site of Borgen.
Bats and finding your way in the dark
Flagermusehuset is opposite the address Sigtevej 14, 3760 Gudhjem; a large car park is 50 metres from the house. The 750-metre Flagermusesti trail starts at the house. Reflectors mark the trail to help visitors find their way in the dark. A visit shortly after nightfall offers the chance to see bats on screens, along Flagermusestien and at the entrance holes in the gable. If access is important to your plans, check in advance.
Fire pit in the northern part of the plantation
Near the car park on Mortingevej, there is a public fire pit in the northern part of Rø Plantation, with tables, benches and a basic toilet. As visitor facilities can change, check their condition before relying on them in your plans.
Discover more destinations: Nexø, Tejn, Knudsker, Ertholmene, Allinge-Sandvig, Pedersker, Østerlars, Olsker.
Back to the main travel overview: Bornholm.
