Olsker offers two distinct reasons to plan a trip to Bornholm: the round church and a section of Højlyngsstien towards Rø Plantage. At the church, its height and loopholes are specific features; on the trail, the surface changes from small asphalt roads to predominantly gravel. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Olsker, these two highlights can be a starting point for your choice.
Olsker Round Church: Height and Visiting Hours
At 28 metres, Olsker Round Church is the tallest of Bornholm’s four round churches. It has nine loopholes in total. These are two distinct features: its height provides a point of comparison with Bornholm’s other round churches, while the number of loopholes refers to this particular building.
The church is normally open to visitors unless religious services are taking place. It is closed from 1 December to 1 March. If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether a religious service will affect access on your chosen date, and take the seasonal closure into account.
Højlyngsstien Towards Rø Plantage
On the section of Højlyngsstien from Olsker towards Rø Plantage, the first approximately four kilometres follow small asphalt roads. After that, the paths are predominantly gravel. The figure of around four kilometres applies to the section on small asphalt roads; it is not the length of the entire trail. The change in surface is a useful guide if you would like to include this section in your day’s plans. Check the latest route information before setting out.
A church visit and a hike offer different experiences: for the round church, the seasonal closure and possible religious services are important to consider; for the trail section, the surface and current route information matter.
More Things to Discover on Bornholm
Beyond Olsker, Bornholm offers a variety of themes to explore when planning a trip. NaturBornholm is an experience centre featuring dinosaurs, live crocodiles, an aquarium and a bison exhibition. The exhibits may change over time. Another highlight is Bornholms Middelaldercenter: this 15-hectare open-air museum brings 14th-century Bornholm to life in an engaging, interactive way. The two destinations have different focuses—one on nature and animal exhibits, the other on the island’s medieval history.
Bornholm has two distinct points of reference when it comes to the history and tradition of smoking fish. Bornholm’s first smokehouse opened in Gudhjem in 1866, and herring has been smoked there ever since. Hasle Smokehouse is the last smokehouse on Bornholm where fish is smoked in the traditional way, using open chimneys and alder wood. Gudhjem thus represents the historical beginnings of smokehouses on Bornholm, while Hasle is known for the traditional smoking method described here.
The island’s landscapes also offer different kinds of scenery. Ekkodalen in Almindingen is Bornholm’s largest rift valley. From the cliffs above Opal Lake, you can look out over the surrounding area, the Baltic Sea and the Hammershus castle ruins. When exploring Bornholm’s landscapes, you can therefore choose between a valley and a viewpoint with several named sights in view.
Getting to Bornholm
Bornholm can be reached by ferry, plane, bus or train. The ferry crossing from Ystad in Sweden to Bornholm takes one hour and 20 minutes. Check the latest timetables and connections when planning your journey. This information refers to travel to Bornholm; for your specific trip to Olsker, you should consider the appropriate connection separately.
Visiting the church is subject to the conditions mentioned above, while the trail is characterised by a change from small asphalt roads to predominantly gravel. The other examples on Bornholm complement these local points of interest with island-wide themes such as exhibitions, smoking traditions and landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Pedersker, Gudhjem, Muleby, Østermarie, Svaneke, Vang, Nyker, Snogebæk.
Back to the main travel overview: Bornholm.
