Good conduct in nature
Practical advice for good conduct in Bornholm’s nature. Learn about access, sharing trails, animals, wet paths, overnight stays, fires and special rules for different activities, so you are well prepared for your trip.
Enjoy nature with an eye on your surroundings
When you lace up your hiking boots, roll out on your bike or head through the forest, you will often share paths and forest roads with hikers, runners, cyclists, riders and families. A little awareness and room for each other make the trip better for everyone.
On narrow paths and in places with limited visibility, it is a good idea to adjust your speed and movements to the conditions and make yourself known in good time when you want to pass. If you wear headphones, keep the volume low enough to hear a bicycle bell, a rider or a call from behind.
You may also meet grazing animals along the way. Give them plenty of space, do not feed them, and remember to close gates behind you when your route passes through a fenced area.
When you meet a horse
Horses can react to sudden sounds and movements. If you are approaching from behind on foot or by bike, calmly make your presence known from a good distance before passing.
Slow down, give plenty of space and pay attention to signals from the rider. It makes the encounter safer for the horse, rider and you.
Key tips for your trip
- Be aware of your surroundings. Leave room for the sounds of nature and signals from others.
- Give others space. Adjust your speed and behaviour when you meet or pass others.
- Follow the signs. Rules and access can vary from place to place.
- Stay calm around animals. Keep your distance, do not feed them, and close gates behind you.
- Take care of paths and trails. Choose more robust routes when the ground is very wet.
- Park with care. Use designated parking areas and keep roads, gates and access routes clear.
- Take your rubbish with you. That way the place is pleasant for the next visitor too.
- Be prepared. Check the weather and your route, and bring equipment that suits the trip.
Bornholm’s terrain can change from wide forest roads to narrow footpaths, cliffs, steep sections and wet ground. Check your route and the weather before setting out, and choose footwear and clothing to suit the trip. On longer outings, water, a charged phone and perhaps a power bank and a small first-aid kit are useful to have with you.
If there is an emergency and you need an ambulance, police or the fire service, call 112. With newer smartphones, your location can usually be sent automatically to the emergency call centre. It is still a good idea to keep track of where you are so you can describe your location.
When trails soften after rain
After heavy rain, natural paths and trails in particular can become soft and more vulnerable to wear. Wheels, hooves and many feet can leave clear marks in wet ground, so it can be a good idea to choose a more robust forest road or another route when the ground is very soft.
Also follow signs and route markings. Some routes are designed for specific activities, while other areas may have special access rules or temporary restrictions.
Staying overnight and lighting fires outdoors
A night under the open sky can be a special way to experience Bornholm. Across the island, you will find shelters, basic campsites and woodlands where free tenting is allowed.
On Bornholm, free tenting is allowed in, among other places, Rø Plantage, Lynggårdsskoven and selected parts of Almindingen and Blykobbe Plantage. The 1-2-3 rule applies: one night in the same place, no more than two tents together, and tents for up to three people. Always check the current map to see exactly where free tenting is permitted.
Prefer a shelter? Check the conditions at the individual site. Some shelters can be booked, while others are first come, first served, and facilities such as drinking water and toilets vary from place to place.
When free tenting, campfires may only be lit at designated fire sites. During dry periods, a fire ban may also be introduced, so check current conditions before lighting a fire.
Use toilets where available. If there is no toilet nearby, human waste should be buried, while toilet paper and wet wipes should be taken with you along with other rubbish.
Activities with special rules
Mountain biking, horse riding, climbing and fishing may have their own rules for where and how you can take part. Rules can also vary from one area to another, so it is a good idea to check both the location and the activity before setting out.
On Naturstyrelsen land, for example, cycling is generally allowed on constructed roads and paths suitable for an ordinary bicycle. On Bornholm, there are additional mountain biking opportunities in several places, including Blykobbe Plantage and around Rytterknægten in Almindingen.
Climbing with ropes or other safety equipment generally requires the landowner’s permission. On Bornholm, however, Naturstyrelsen has designated a number of climbing sites. Read more here: naturstyrelsen.dk/klippeklatring. Horse riding and fishing also have rules worth checking in advance.
To learn more about the thinking behind caring for the island’s nature, read the Bornholm Nature Code.
A bagful from nature
If you find berries, mushrooms, fruit or cones along the way, you may take a little home for your own use.
On Naturstyrelsen land, the rule of thumb is that you may gather about as much as fits in an ordinary carrier bag. In private woodland, you may only gather what you can reach from roads and paths.
Plants must not be dug up, and firewood, decorative greenery and other items of value to the landowner must not be taken.
So feel free to take a little home, but leave some for the next person too.
