Ulricehamnsåsen

It is an esker, meaning a long ridge of sand, gravel and other glacial meltwater deposits rather than a single bedrock mountain. In the Ulricehamn area it appears as a chain of rolling ridges and hills.

The ridge can be followed through the Atrådalen valley between Kolaby and Ulricehamn. At Fralsegarden south of Tradet, the Swedish county description says it is especially clear as ridges and rounded hills.

Like other eskers, it was built when meltwater flowing beneath retreating ice deposited sorted sand and gravel in a tunnel or channel. When the ice melted away, the former sediment-filled channel remained as a raised ridge.

The ridges contain stone and gravel with some lime, and grazing has helped create a dry meadow habitat. At Fralsegarden this combination supports a distinctive flora of dry-grassland species.