Village fortification, Borgaråsen

Castle complex in Eigersund, medium trip

Culture and history

There are almost 400 village fortifications in Norway, and you will find the largest concentration of these forts in Rogaland county. It is believed that rural towns are natural defenses, where people used hard-to-reach mountains and ridges in the landscape to defend themselves against attackers and invaders. The village castles in Magma Geopark date back to the migration period and the older Iron Age (0-600 AD). Few artefacts are found in these forts, but pieces of pottery and animal bones are fairly common finds. In several village castles, you can also see clear remains of stone walls and people's attempts to increase the security of their forts.

One of the village castles in Magma Geopark is called Borgaråsen. In this old defence, there are remains of stone walls that are dated to around the year 0. The fort at Borgaråsen was probably in use up to and including the Viking Age.

How to get there?

Borgaråsen: Follow the E39 towards Mysing.

Accessibility: medium hard hike

Duration: half an hour

Show consideration:

Parks in the parking lot, and show respect for the private land.
Pay attention to the animals along the route.
Remember to close gates behind you.
Dogs must be on a leash.
Leave only footprints!