Dronningestenen Viewpoint, Almindingen Forest

A Forest Plateau with a Royal Name

Dronningestenen sits on a high forested plateau in Almindingen, one of Denmark’s largest and most atmospheric woodlands, just north of Aakirkeby. Here the terrain rises to around 110 metres above sea level, enough to give a sense of height on an otherwise gentle island. The name means "the Queen’s Stone", and local lore ties it to royal visits and the long tradition of monarchs touring Bornholm’s interior. Whatever the exact origin, the name adds a touch of storybook flair to an already scenic spot. The setting is pure inland Bornholm: dense mixed woodland, rocky outcrops of granite and a patchwork of clearings that suddenly open onto far-reaching views. Dronningestenen is both a rock formation and a viewpoint, a natural balcony where the forest edge drops away and the landscape of southern Bornholm spreads out below.

Wide Horizons over Southern Bornholm

From the vantage at Dronningestenen you look south across Vallensgård and out towards the coast. On clear days the horizon line is punctuated by the faint shimmer of the Baltic Sea, while closer at hand you pick out farmsteads, small woodlots and the low, undulating fields that characterize this part of the island. The contrast with the enclosing trees of Almindingen is striking: one moment you are in deep forest, the next you are standing in open light. Because the altitude here is modest but unobstructed, the view works in both broad strokes and fine detail. In spring and summer the greens stack in layers – dark conifers below, bright deciduous crowns nearby, pale fields in the distance. In autumn, the panorama becomes a warm tapestry of gold, copper and russet, while winter strips the land down to form, light and shadow.

Walking Trails and Forest Atmosphere

Reaching Dronningestenen involves a walk on forest paths, often combined with routes that also pass Ekkodalen, Geddebæksfald and Rytterknægten. Waymarked trails weave through Almindingen, linking rocky viewpoints, small streams and older sites like the Gamleborg fortress plateau. Distances vary from short loops suitable for a relaxed stroll to longer circuits that fill most of a day outdoors. Underfoot the terrain is mostly forest track, with some rooted and rocky sections as you approach the viewpoint itself. The air smells of pine needles and damp earth, and the soundtrack is wind in the canopy, distant woodpeckers and the occasional rustle of roe deer. Even on busy days in high season, it is easy to step away from any hubbub and find a quiet pocket of woodland near the stone.

Bornholm’s Inland Story

Almindingen has long been a focal point in Bornholm’s history, with traces of fortifications, royal interests and forest management shaping the landscape. Nearby Gamleborg is one of the island’s oldest strongholds, linked to the age of early Danish kings, while Rytterknægten carries a memorial tower celebrating a 19th-century royal visit. Dronningestenen fits naturally into this narrative of crowns, castles and cultivated woodland, even if its own "queen" is more a matter of legend than documented fact. What the site clearly expresses is the layered relationship between people and nature in the island’s interior. The forest around you has been carefully managed yet still feels decidedly wild, and the viewpoint underlines how central this high plateau is to understanding Bornholm’s geography, wedged between its rocky coasts and fertile southern plains.

Planning Your Visit on the Plateau

A visit to Dronningestenen is easily folded into a wider exploration of Almindingen. Many walkers link it with Rytterknægten, Bornholm’s highest point at 162 metres, or drop down towards Ekkodalen’s dramatic escarpment and echoing valley. There are no ticket barriers or fixed opening hours at the stone itself; access is open, and simple facilities – such as rest spots or information boards – may be found at trailheads and nearby forest clearings rather than right at the viewpoint. Allow enough time not just for the walk there and back, but also to linger. The charm of Dronningestenen lies less in a single landmark rock and more in the cumulative experience: the gradual climb through trees, the sudden reveal of sky and distance, and the quiet sense of standing at the heart of Bornholm while looking out towards its edge.