Slottstien (translation: castle path)

We talked about starting to explore some of the area when spring came. There is a large network of public footpaths and today we went on our first walk. Of course Husband has been exploring already during his running over large areas around our house. This walk was about a 15 minute drive away, to the highest point in Spydeberg township, which neighbors our township of Hobøl on the east. 

The path we took is called Slottsstien and starts from a chicken farm,  following the edge of the fields before it enters the forest and up the hill. You can read about "Slottsåsen" (Castle Hill) on Spydeberg's homepage: 


"Castle Hill's highest point is 232 meters above sea level. The fortress is about 50 meters south of the tower. The castle area is approx. 100 x 70 meters, and particularly to the south and west the remains of stone walls can be found well preserved. It is a common opinion that the hill castles derive from the Migration Period of ca. 1500 years ago, and served as "defenses" in  troubled times. However,  archaeological evidence is hard to find. There are several such primitive fortifications in the area. Castles were often placed in locations that had strategic importance and good views. The defense works usually consisted  of dry stone walls,  probably originally reinforced with palisades on the side with easiest access.

Approx. 250 meters south of Castle Hill is a "twin castle" on Høgås. It is located approx.20 meters lower, and you have to first climb down into the valley and up again on the other side to get there."

Dancer with Lucy and Topsy

The ruins of the castle walls

The lookout tower at the top of the hill. 

View toward Tomter

View toward Spydeberg