Ramundersborg naturreservat

Ramundersborg Nature Reserve includes the highest mountain in Vikboland, Borgberget. The entire mountain is an ancient fortress where people fled during times of turmoil long ago. It may also have been an ancient pagan cult site. There are several legends surrounding the site.

Borgberget rises almost 100 meters from the plain. There is an ancient castle up here. The castle probably dates from the Migration Period around 400 AD. It was an insecure time and perhaps the castle was a refuge if danger threatened.

In total, there are about 660 meters of wall around the castle. An inner wall and an outer wall. But you should not look too closely at the wall. According to a legend, there is an iron ring on the wall and anyone who sees the ring will immediately go blind.

On the crest of the mountain is an impressive collection of stones. The stones are round and almost the same size, it is a natural so-called shingle field. Or is it the home of a giant? On old maps, the stone collection is called "Ramunder's home and stronghold". Legend has it that the giant Ramunder lived here on the mountain.

Ramundersborg is a beautiful place with a walkable forest. Old pine trees that have stood here for hundreds of years rise up on the meagre rocky ground. There is plenty of dead wood, such as silver-grey pine bark and dead, lying pine trunks.

Here and there are also late-growing gnarled oaks. In the warmer and more nutrient-rich boulder-rich southern slope, aspen and deciduous trees such as oak and lime grow. The shady and wetter northern slope, down towards a marshland and Oxtorpesjön, is covered with spruce, although some pine also occurs.

At the bottom of the slope towards the lake there is a pine bog with many old pines. In the summer, the fragrant shrub water primrose blooms with white flowers. Closest to the lake is an open marshland with swings and tufa that sway in the wind with their beautiful white wool balls.

Thanks to the variety of environments on and around the mountain, there are also many species of animals and plants. Because the forest on the mountain has been left uncut for so long, many of the species are sensitive and rare. These are species that are not found in the managed forest.

For you as a visitor

Ramundersborg Nature Reserve is well worth a visit. From the top of the mountain you have a fantastic view of the surroundings. You can start your visit in the nearby Ramunderberget nature reserve in Söderköping. From here you can walk the mile-long "Borgbergsleden" which takes you in a round loop through both Ramunderberget's and Ramundersborg's nature reserve with many nice viewpoints and experiences along the way.