Riddarehagen-Simontorp, Naturreservat

Riddarehagen-Simontorp is a fairly inaccessible nature reserve located on the northern slope of Romeleåsen. Most of the reserve today consists of unfertilized, grazed pasture with elements of birch groves and shrubland.

Ecological island

The reserve was previously part of a larger area of natural pastures, but as the surrounding land has been cultivated or overgrown, Riddarehagen-Simontorp has increasingly taken on the character of an ecological island in the open arable landscape.

Natural pasture land that opens up

May lilies and buttercups used to be abundant in the reserve, but these species have been severely affected by overgrowth. To improve the living conditions of the natural pasture flora, annual efforts are made to control blackberry thickets.

Pond with frogs

In the southern part of the reserve there is a pond that is used as a watering place for the grazing animals. The pond contains edible frogs, among other things.

Outdoor life

Difficult to access area without facilities for outdoor life. Remember to take your rubbish home.

In English

Welcome to Riddarehagen-Simontorp Nature Reserve

The slopes of the Romeleåsen ridge were once full of grazing animals. Here on the northern slope, is now Riddarehagen Nature Reserve as a reminder of the biodiversity of the semi-natural pastures.

The area was part of the seat farm Simontorp and was used for hay-making and grazing for many centuries. The environment is varied with open land mixed with pastures containing deciduous trees and shrubs. Globeflower and orchids such as western marsh-orchid and great butterfly-orchid grow in the moist parts.

Unfortunately, the nature reserve is also a telling example of what happens when grazing and hay-making ceases. When the animals disappear and the scythes are put to rest, the area becomes overgrown. Restoration work has slowly started to bring back the beautiful grasslands.

In the southern part of the reserve is a small pond, serving as a water source for the animals. The edible frog thrives here, and you can see and hear it day and night during spring and early summer.

Globeflower, with its large, golden-yellow balls fluttering above the greenery, is one of the character species of the wet meadow. The plant is in decline, especially in southern Sweden, as its habitat is threatened by encroachment when hay-making and grazing cease.

Regulations

Within Riddarehagen-Simontorp Nature Reserve it is forbidden to:

• dig, drill, paint or in any other way damage boulders, living or dead trees or shrubs,
• pick or dig up plants,
• deliberately disturb wildlife,
• camp,
• light fires,
• bring unleashed dogs,
• in a disturbing manner use radios, music players or similar,
• put up boards, signs, posters, paper strips or similar, or make inscriptions.