Orienteering on Bornholm – forests, courses and outdoor activity
Bornholm is one of the best places in Denmark for orienteering. Varied terrain – from dense forests and rocky hills to open fields and narrow valleys – provides challenges you won't find on the flat mainland. The island has a long orienteering tradition: local runners organise competitions almost every week throughout the year, and the annual Höst-Open festival attracts over a thousand participants from many countries.
Why Bornholm?
Most of Denmark is flat and predictable in terms of terrain. Bornholm is the exception – the island's granite bedrock creates a hilly landscape with numerous rock formations, ravines, valleys and forested hills. Within a small area (approx. 588 km²) there is a surprising variety of terrain types, meaning every run is different.
The central forest complex of Almindingen – Denmark's fifth-largest forest – is the main orienteering arena on the island. But you'll also find interesting terrain on the northern Hammeren, in Paradisbakkerne (Paradise Hills) to the east, and in scattered forests around the towns.
Best orienteering areas
Almindingen
The largest forest on the island – an extensive complex with a dense network of paths, hills, rock formations and varied ground. The main competition terrain for orienteering on Bornholm.
Hammeren
The northern headland – open, rocky terrain with heathland and granite boulders. Shorter but technically demanding courses with sea views.
Paradisbakkerne
"Paradise Hills" in the east – hilly terrain with erratic boulders, ravines and mixed forest. Technical and unpredictable.
Urban sprint
Bornholm's towns (Aakirkeby, Rønne, Gudhjem) serve as arenas for sprint orienteering – fast races through built-up areas navigating streets and alleyways.
Höst-Open – the biggest competition
Every year on the last weekend of October, Bornholm hosts Höst-Open – a three-day orienteering competition organised continuously since 1990. It's one of the largest events of its kind in Denmark, attracting over 1,000 participants from more than a dozen countries, in 45 age categories – from young children on special courses to runners over 90 years old.
Höst-Open – facts
- Date: Every year on the last weekend of October
- Format: 3 days – urban sprint (Friday), forest stage (Saturday), forest stage (Sunday)
- Participants: Over 1,000 runners, dozens of countries, 45 categories
- Character: Family sport – from courses for young children to elite classes
- Dates: Current dates and locations in the events calendar
Other races and sporting events
Besides orienteering, Bornholm hosts many trail and road races that may interest active visitors:
- Etape Bornholm – a marathon spread over 5 days, with stages from 5.9 to 10 km through different parts of the island
- Almindingsløbet – a traditional September run in Almindingen forest (courses of 2.6 / 6 / 8 km)
- Cross Island ½ marathon – a half marathon across the island
- Soft Ice Løbet – a summer recreational run near Gudhjem (6.9 km or 1.4 km short course)
The local sports community is active all year round – races and competitions take place almost every week.
Almindingen – the main orienteering terrain on Bornholm, with a dense network of forest paths
Practical information
If you're planning orienteering on Bornholm outside organised competitions, keep a few things in mind:
- Maps: Orienteering maps (O-maps) of individual areas are available from local organisers. Standard tourist maps are no substitute for specialist orienteering maps.
- Access: Forests and public land on Bornholm are freely accessible. Standard pedestrian rules apply in Naturstyrelsen forests.
- Season: Orienteering on Bornholm is practised all year round. Best conditions from April to November. In winter the ground can be slippery, but thanks to the island's mild climate it's rarely inaccessible.
- Getting there: The main areas (Almindingen, Paradisbakkerne) can be reached by bus or bicycle from any town on the island.
