Ravnedalen – wild rocky nature and beautiful walks in Slotslyngen
Ravnedalen is one of those places on Bornholm where the landscape almost takes you by surprise. Here, rocks, heather, juniper and steep slopes open up into a beautiful and dramatic terrain that feels wild, peaceful and distinctly Bornholm all at once.
The area is located in the northern part of Bornholm, not far from Hammershus and Slotslyngen, and is an ideal little nature experience if you simply want a short walk and a close encounter with the rocky landscape. You do not need to plan a long hike to enjoy your visit – Ravnedalen works perfectly as a short stop with a big natural impression.
If you want to walk further, the area is also a good starting point for routes into Slotslyngen. Here you can combine Ravnedalen with trails through some of Bornholm’s most distinctive scenery, where open rock surfaces, heather-covered hills, woodland, views and traces of former granite quarrying vary along the way.
Ravnedalen is a rift valley, and the landscape around it is kept open through nature management. This creates space for dry rocky heath with heather and juniper – and forms a particularly warm and sheltered environment on the slopes. This is where the rare purseweb spider lives, Denmark’s only mygalomorph spider, which was rediscovered in the area in the 1990s after having been considered lost from Denmark for many years. It is harmless to humans, but is a fine example of just how special the nature in Ravnedalen is.
The area also carries clear traces of Bornholm’s history. East of Ravnedalen, you will find ancient monuments such as standing stones, cairns and rock carvings, and the landscape still shows signs of granite quarrying in Borrelyngen. Old quarries, ponds and small cultural traces lie side by side with the raw nature and add extra depth to the walk.
Ravnedalen is therefore both a place for a short, quiet walk and for a longer hike through Slotslyngen. If you pass by on a clear day, it is hard not to stop for a little longer and simply take in the landscape.
