Bornholm, a Danish island in the Baltic Sea nicknamed “the sunshine island” for its above-average hours of sun, offers unusually hilly cycling terrain for Denmark, between granite cliffs and medieval fortified churches.
An island loop between granite and medieval heritage
From Rønne, the island’s main port and town, the network of marked cycle paths winds toward Gudhjem and then Allinge, following the north coast and its characteristic granite formations. Expect around 40 km for a loop representative of the island, on a hilly profile that passes several of the four medieval round churches and the ruins of Hammershus, the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe.
Getting the ride right
The dense, well-marked cycle network makes it easy to adjust the distance to the time available. For cyclists wanting to ride the full island loop over several days, touring panniers make it easy to string together stages between several coastal villages.
When to go
May to September, with the island’s sunny reputation holding up particularly well during this period. Summer offers the best conditions, with frequent ferries from Copenhagen, Sweden (Ystad) and Germany (Sassnitz).
Good to know
Rønne offers a wide choice of accommodation and convenient ferry access, with Gudhjem, a picturesque fishing village on the north coast, making an ideal stop for extending the stay on the island.
