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Black Pot (Sorte Gryde) Sea Cave, Bornholm

A narrow, echoing sea cave cut deep into Bornholm’s Sanctuary Cliffs, where granite walls, crashing Baltic waves and island legends meet in cool, cavernous darkness.

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Tucked beneath Bornholm’s dramatic Sanctuary Cliffs near Gudhjem, the Black Pot (Sorte Gryde) is a narrow, atmospheric sea cave that cuts up to 60 metres into the island’s granite coast. Reached via a coastal path, a small footbridge and a steep metal ladder, it offers a raw, close-up encounter with the sculpting power of the Baltic Sea, rare cave spiders and the island’s distinct geology in a setting that feels both mystical and wild.

A brief summary to Black Pot

  • Helligdomsvej 14, Gudhjem, 3760, DK
  • Visit website
  • Duration: 0.5 to 2 hours
  • Free
  • Environment icon Outdoor
  • Mobile reception: 3 out of 5
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Bring a strong flashlight or headlamp; the cave extends tens of metres into the rock and becomes completely dark soon after the entrance.
  • Wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and be prepared for wet, uneven surfaces on the footbridge, ladder and inside the cave.
  • Avoid entering the cave in strong winds or rough seas, when waves and spray make the approach and interior significantly more hazardous.
  • Allow extra time to explore the wider Sanctuary Cliffs paths and viewpoints, which offer impressive coastal scenery beyond the cave itself.
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Getting There

  • Bus from Rønne to Sanctuary Cliffs

    From Rønne, take the regional bus service toward Gudhjem that stops near Helligdomsklipperne; the journey typically takes around 40–55 minutes depending on the route and timetable. Services usually run several times a day in both directions, with slightly reduced frequency outside summer. A one-way adult ticket generally falls in the range of 40–70 DKK, often payable by card or transport app. From the bus stop it is a short walk on established paths to the Sanctuary Cliffs area and the start of the stairs down towards the Black Pot.

  • Car or rental car on Bornholm

    Driving from Rønne to Helligdomsvej 14 near Gudhjem typically takes around 30–40 minutes along the island’s main roads. The route is straightforward, but traffic can be slightly heavier in peak summer. There is public parking close to the Sanctuary Cliffs visitor area, though spaces may fill during busy periods, and in some seasons time limits or small fees may apply, so always check local signage. From the parking area, allow extra time to walk down the steps and coastal paths to reach the Black Pot cave entrance.

  • Coastal walk from Gudhjem

    For a scenic approach, experienced walkers can follow the marked coastal path from Gudhjem towards the Sanctuary Cliffs, a route of roughly 6 km that usually takes 1.5–2 hours at a moderate pace. The trail undulates over rocky sections with roots and steps, and is not suitable for prams or travellers with significant mobility limitations. Good footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are important, as wind and sea spray can make parts of the path slippery. This option is free and particularly rewarding in clear, dry conditions.

  • Seasonal boat from Gudhjem (viewing option)

    In the warmer half of the year, a small tour boat typically sails between Gudhjem harbour and the Sanctuary Cliffs, with trips often lasting 45–60 minutes round-trip. Prices are commonly in the range of 120–200 DKK per adult, with reduced fares for children. The boat provides impressive views of the cliffs and sea caves from the water but usually does not allow direct access into the Black Pot itself. Sailings depend on weather and sea state, and may be cancelled in strong wind or heavy swell, so check the day’s schedule locally.

Black Pot location weather suitability

  • Weather icon Clear Skies
  • Weather icon Mild Temperatures
  • Weather icon Cold Weather
  • Weather icon Windy Conditions

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Discover more about Black Pot

Granite, Waves and a Hidden Passage

Bornholm’s Black Pot, or Sorte Gryde, is the most famous of several sea caves carved into the Sanctuary Cliffs (Helligdomsklipperne) on the island’s northeast coast. Here the Baltic Sea has patiently etched a tall, narrow crack into the crystalline granite, pushing some 50–60 metres under the cliff. The result is a shadowy passageway that feels almost like a secret corridor into the rock, far removed from the open shoreline just outside. Unlike typical Danish landscapes of low, sandy coasts, this stretch of Bornholm rises sharply from the water. Dark rock walls, stacked and fractured, frame the cave entrance, reminding you that this is one of the country’s most geologically distinctive corners. The roar and echo of the sea, even on calm days, hints at the forces that created this place and continue to shape it.

Approaching the Cave Mouth

The approach to the Black Pot is part of the experience. From the Sanctuary Cliffs visitor area, paths and stairways thread down towards the waterline, revealing ever-changing views of jagged outcrops and sea stacks. Near the cave, a small footbridge crosses a gap where waves surge below, connecting you to the rock ledge leading to the entrance. From here, a steep metal ladder drops you to the low platform at the mouth of the cave. Space is tight, the rock underfoot can be wet and slippery, and the soundscape amplifies every splash and footstep. Light quickly fades as you move inside, so a good torch is essential if you want to appreciate the cave’s full depth and texture. The transition from bright open coast to confined darkness is abrupt, heightening the sense of stepping into a separate, enclosed world.

Inside the Black Pot

Once you leave daylight behind, the cave becomes a tall slit in the rock, its walls glistening with moisture and salt. The passage bends and narrows, so the outside world disappears entirely after a short distance. In places, you may need to watch your footing and duck slightly as the roof dips or boulders interrupt the path. This dim environment is home to specialised life, including the Bornholm cave spider and other tiny invertebrates adapted to the cool, stable conditions. Silence, broken only by dripping water and the distant boom of waves, makes the interior feel older and more remote than its modest size suggests. For many visitors, the appeal lies less in dramatic formations than in the pure, physical sensation of being deep inside the island’s granite shell.

Cliffs of Legends and Rock Names

The Black Pot is just one feature in a cliffscape rich with stories and evocative names. Nearby you find other caves and rock formations such as Våde Ovn (Wet Oven) and Tørre Ovn (Dry Oven), each describing its relationship with the sea. Above, pinnacles and ledges carry romantic titles like Lovers’ Bench and Moonshine Rocks, reflecting centuries of fascination with this dramatic coastline. In the Middle Ages, a holy spring at the foot of the cliffs drew pilgrims seeking healing, and a chapel once stood on the plateau above. Though the structures have vanished, the sense of a special, almost sacred landscape lingers. Today the cliffs are protected, valued both for their natural character and for the glimpse they offer into how people have interacted with this shoreline over time.

Experiencing the Sanctuary Coast

Most travellers visit the Black Pot as part of a wider exploration of the Sanctuary Cliffs. From the cliff-top paths you can peer down onto sea stacks and crashing surf, while stairways deliver you to different ledges and viewpoints close to the water. In season, the small tour boat that runs between Gudhjem and the cliffs offers a contrasting perspective, revealing the cave’s setting from offshore, even if you cannot enter by sea. Allow unhurried time here: to listen to the sea reverberate in the rock, feel the temperature drop as you enter the cave, and then emerge again into wind and sunlight. Combined with a visit to the nearby Bornholm Art Museum or a longer coastal walk, the Black Pot becomes a highlight in a day that blends geology, nature, art and island atmosphere into a single, memorable stop.

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