Hiking route: Højlyngsstien leg 4 – Rytterknægten to Ølene
Take a hike on the fourth stage of the Højlyngsstien from Rytterknægten to Ølene: an approximately 17 km route through forest, rift valleys and open natural areas. Along the way, you pass Ekkodalen, Bastemose and Bisonskoven and continue through Almindingen – Bornholm’s largest forest – with rich wildlife along the way, before the route ends in the beautiful and bird-rich landscape of Ølene
We have chosen to divide the route into five legs. This article describes leg four from Rytterknægten in Almindingen to Ølene.
Route description:
From Rytterknægten, you follow wide forest roads south (to the right of Kongemindet) for just under three kilometres, after which the route takes a sharp left turn. Shortly after, the route takes you onto narrow winding forest paths. Follow them up and down until you reach Bornholm’s largest and most famous rift valley, Ekkodalen (Echo Valley), where a beautiful winding footbridge has been built at the bottom.
Follow the path through the bottom of the Ekkodalen and cross the river that runs through the valley. From here, you turn right just before the steep steps up, and hike through majestic forest to Hareløkkerne. Keep an eye on the signs, because just before you reach the shelter site here, you have to climb steeply to the right.
The route follows Segensvej for a short distance before entering the forest again and passing the wetland and the bird paradise of Bastemose (Baste Bog). After a few kilometres on mainly wide forest roads you reach Bisonskoven (Bison Forest), the 200-hectare fenced area where 10 bison live freely.
Follow the path through the bottom of the Ekkodalen and cross the river that runs through the valley. From here, you turn right just before the steep steps up, and hike through majestic forest to Hareløkkerne. Keep an eye on the signs, because just before you reach the shelter site here, you have to climb steeply to the right.
The route follows Segensvej for a short distance before entering the forest again and passing the wetland and the bird paradise of Bastemose (Baste Bog). After a few kilometres on mainly wide forest roads you reach Bisonskoven (Bison Forest), the 200-hectare fenced area where 10 bison live freely.
Højlyngsstiens 5 hiking stages:
Leg 2 – Ravnedalen to Rø Plantage
Leg 3 – Rø Plantage to Rytterknægten i Almindingen
Leg 4 – Rytterknægten to Ølene
Facts:
Duration:
5 hours
Length:
17 km
Difficulty level:
Medium
Suitable for prams and wheelchairs:
No
Parking:
If you just want to walk this leg of the route, park at Udkæret on Springbakkevejen 11, Aakirkeby, or at Ølene Fuglereservat (Bird Sanctuary) on Ølenevej 39, Østermarie if you want to walk in the opposite direction.
Toilets:
At Ekkodalen car park and at Hareløkkerne.
Access to water:
There is water at the public toilets in Ekkodalen, by the Hareløkkerne Shelter site and from a water point just before Bisonskoven.
Surface:
A mix of small forest trails, established hiking trails and former wheel tracks with tall vegetation. A few hilly stretches, but otherwise relatively flat.
Special remarks:
There’s no guarantee of seeing bison, but they are in Bisonskoven, so allow some time to look for them. They are a magnificent sight if you manage to spot them.
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.
Facilities
- Marked route: Orange + Lilla
- Length in km.: 17 kilometer
- Level of Difficulty: Mellem
- Hike Friends
Come arrivare
Springbakkevejen 11
3720 Aakirkeby
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