Døndalen

Døndalen is a valley in the northern part of the Danish island of Bornholm. Located next to the road from Gudhjem to Tejn, it is known for its waterfall, which is Denmark's longest.

Døndalen, which covers an area of 37 hectares (91 acres), is one of Bornholm's rift valleys cutting through the granite rock. The wooded area reaches inland from the coast. In springtime the valley is covered with anemones and ramsons, and the song of nightingales can sometimes be heard.

Døndalen has been wooded since the last ice age, 10,000 years ago. Over the past 7,000 years, the trees have been deciduous. There have been various archeological finds in the valley including burial sites and evidence of cremations. It is not known how a sword in a wooden sheath and gilded pearls of glass arrived there. As part of the island's defences in the 16th century, earthworks were constructed at the bottom of the valley next to the shore. The embankments, which can still be seen today, provided protection for those using canons and rifles to deter the enemy.

Half way up the valley, the brook known as Døndaleåen falls some 20 metres (66 ft), forming Denmark's largest waterfall. The rocky banks on the northwestern side rise 25 metres (82 ft) to the Amtmandsstenen viewpoint which looks out over the Baltic Sea to Christiansø. The brook is 6.5 metres (21 ft) long, running from Dammemose near Klemensker and on to Spellinge Mose. The stretch from Røvejen (the road from Rø to Olsker) to the coast has varying scenery and the waterfall. For most of the year, there is only a trickle of water in the brook, but in winter the waterfall is fuller.

Døndalen has several examples of birdlife, particularly in the spring with nightingales, blackcaps, garden warblers, treecreepers and chaffinches. Buzzards. In the winter months, dippers feed in the stream. Deer are also present in the woods. Salmon and other fish occupy the stream.

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Wikipedia