Ekkodalen - Echo Valley

The Echo Valley is part of Bornholm's longest rift valley, stretching from Saltuna in the east for 12 kilometres to Vallensgårds Mose. But in reality it is even longer, as it stretches under a layer of earth all the way to Arnager in the west. The valley is up to 70 metres wide and is bounded to the north-west by 20-metre-high vertical cliff walls.

The slopes are overgrown with over 200-year-old oak forest, which is under protection. The meadow in the Echo Valley is grazed by livestock, allowing visitors to view these spectacular rocks. The Echo Valley is best known for the echoes that occur when sound bounces back from the steep rock walls.

The best place to hear the echoes of the Echo Valley is at Hans Christian Spring, slightly to the left of the path.

Historical outline

Ekkodalen, and the other valleys on Bornholm, were formed as a result of great tectonic stresses. The earth's crust cracked to form deep valleys. Rain and water washed away sediment and began to form visible vertical rock walls.

The walls of the glacial rift valleys provide optimum protection from the wind, and the valley floor has good conditions for plant growth: mild in winter, and cool and shady in summer.

In 1809. Hans Rømer, to the dismay of the local peasants who had lost their right to graze freely, built an impressive stone wall around the forest, which still stands today. Hans Rømer served as forester from 1800-36, creating the Almindingen forest, the third largest forest in Denmark. He also built the lattice structure Rømersdal, which is still the residence of the state forester. Today, the valley is used as a lush pasture for cows.