Hestestenene – the legendary Horse Stones of Bornholm

Four monoliths above the sea

Walking the Kyststien path from Gudhjem towards Rø — barely half a kilometre from the town centre — you reach an open, high cliff where four upright stones stand in a row. Dated to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, they form a distinctive silhouette above the Baltic; from here the panorama stretches across both the coast and the open sea. Already in the 19th century researchers described them as “Hestestenene” — the Danish name referring to stories about horses. The monoliths remain in their original arrangement, though the cliff setting is sensitive to erosion and visitor traffic — approach with care and do not go too close to the edge.

On the Kyststien trail, near Salene

Hestestenene lies practically “on the way” on the third stage of the Kyststien trail from Sandvig to Gudhjem — right beside the coastal path between Gudhjem and Helligdommen. In the same area, not far towards Salene Bay, you will also find the Salene Gravplads burial ground with its kraterrøser — another distinctive Iron Age marker on this stretch of coast. A walk linking both sites is a natural choice for anyone interested in history and the cliffs of northern Bornholm.

• The coastal path leads from Gudhjem towards Helligdommen — the monoliths appear after about 500 m
• The same section forms part of Kyststien stage 3 (Sandvig → Gudhjem)
• Nearby: Salene Gravplads — a kraterrøser grave field above Salene Bugt
• Free access; take care at the cliff edge — open terrain, archaeologically sensitive

Legends

According to local lore, a young bridal couple lost their way in thick fog and fell from the cliff — the horses were said to have turned to stone, giving the stones their name. Another tale speaks of an ancient place of sacrifice where horses were thrown over the precipice in honour of Salene Bay.