Vang – Harbour, Granite and Coastal Trails

Harbour and Granite History

The first records of a harbour in Vang date back to the 16th century. In the 18th century, Vang Havn flourished during the intensive herring fishing in the Baltic Sea. Granite transport later played an important role: in 1887, the harbour was expanded specifically for this purpose. After a granite quarry opened in 1898, the modern harbour was built, and Vang became a transhipment point for stone. A southwestern pier was added in 1944. These dates offer insight into different stages in the history of the harbour and the village.

In the 1930s, around 200 people worked at the Vang quarry; this period is considered the village’s heyday. Granite from Vang was shipped to Copenhagen to build Københavns Rådhus and rebuild Christiansborg Palace. The granite quarry near Vang closed in 1996. Monuments around Vang Havn commemorate the often-unpaid work of the stonemasons. At the harbour, you can therefore find both traces of stone transport and memorials to the people who worked in the quarry.

Vang Havn and the Beach by the Pier

Today, Vang Havn is primarily used for tourism and recreation, while preserving its heritage of quarrying and fishing. Visiting sailors have access to up to 20 berths; the harbour also has a slipway for launching boats. Harbour services and capacity may change. If a berth or slipway is important to your plans, it is best to check the latest information beforehand.

South of Vang Havn, a sandy beach lies by the pier. It has diving platforms at heights of 1, 2 and 3 metres, as well as good fishing spots. The beach offers something for different interests: this spot by the pier combines a sandy beach and fishing opportunities with three platforms at specific heights. If the platforms are important to your visit, check their current availability beforehand.

Coastal Route and Scenery Near Vang

The green Ringebakkerne walking route starts at the car park in Vang and follows a gravel path south along the coast to Vang Pier. Its starting point, surface, direction and endpoint provide specific details to help you plan your route. The route described may change; check the latest route information if needed.

In Ringebakkerne, near Vang, you’ll find coastal paths and a wild, rugged natural landscape. The stream Pissebækken flows there and is described as the location of Denmark’s highest waterfall. However, the watercourse is seasonal: during warm, dry summers on Bornholm, it can dry up for weeks at a time. The description of the waterfall and this note that the water may be absent at times should therefore be considered together when you explore the landscape.

Vang Vandmølle is also near Vang, in a valley on Bornholm’s west coast. Its setting in a valley provides a different landscape feature from the coastal paths and rugged terrain of nearby Ringebakkerne. The mill is near the village, not in Vang itself.

Choosing Vang as a Travel Destination

This distinction can help you choose a destination that matches your interests; you can then compare specific hotel details in each listing.

Discover more destinations: Aakirkeby, Olsker, Klemensker, Muleby, Allinge-Sandvig, Snogebæk, Vester Sømarken, Boderne.

Back to the main travel overview: Bornholm.