In 2014, archaeologists using laser scanning of the landscape noticed a faint circle in a field near Køge, on the Danish island of Zealand, about forty kilometres south-west of Copenhagen. Excavations confirmed what they had hoped: it was a Viking ring fortress, one of a small group of perfectly circular fortresses built in Denmark in the late tenth century, probably under King Harald Bluetooth. It was named Borgring, and it was the first new ring fortress to be found in Denmark in over sixty years.
The ring fortresses, including Trelleborg, Fyrkat and Aggersborg, are a remarkable group: they are built to a precise geometric plan, with a circular rampart, four gates aligned to the points of the compass and roads dividing the interior into quarters. They were built in a short period, and their purpose is still debated, as military bases, centres of royal power, or both. Together with Borgring, they were added to the UNESCO list in 2023 as the Viking-Age Ring Fortresses.
At Borgring, the rampart has been partly reconstructed, and the outline of the fortress can be seen in the landscape. There are information boards explaining the site. It is a quiet place, surrounded by fields, and the experience is more about understanding the past than seeing impressive ruins.
Køge, about four kilometres away, is a pleasant old market town with half-timbered houses and a harbour. In 1677, the Battle of Køge Bay, a major naval victory for Denmark over Sweden, was fought just offshore. Further south, the chalk cliffs of Stevns Klint, a UNESCO site for their record of the extinction of the dinosaurs, are a dramatic sight.
The riding in Zealand is gentle, through farmland, woods and villages, with gentle curves and little traffic. The coast roads are scenic, but wind can be strong. Danish speed limits are strictly enforced. Køge has fuel and all services. Local food includes smørrebrød, open sandwiches, and pastries. Late spring and summer, with long days and mild weather, are the best seasons.