{{Other uses|Ranum (surname)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement |name = Ranum |settlement_type = Town |image_skyline = Luftfoto-Ranum.jpg |image_caption = Aerial photograph of Ranum |pushpin_map = Denmark North Jutland Region#Denmark |pushpin_map_caption = Location in North Jutland Region |coordinates = {{coord|56.89678|N|9.22791|E|display=inline}} |subdivision_type1 = Country |subdivision_name1 = Denmark |subdivision_type2 = Region |subdivision_name2 = North Jutland Region |subdivision_type3 = Municipality |subdivision_name3 = Vesthimmerland |population_as_of = 2025 |population_footnotes = <ref name="pop"/> |population_total = 950 |timezone = CET |utc_offset = +1 |timezone_DST = CEST |utc_offset_DST = +2 }}
'''Ranum''' is a town in the former municipality of Løgstør and Vesthimmerland Municipality in Denmark. It is the fifth largest town in Vesthimmerland Municipality and is situated approximately 3 km from the inlet Limfjorden and 1 hour from the two major cities Aalborg and Viborg. Ranum has a population of 950 (1 January 2025).<ref name="pop">[https://m.statbank.dk/TableInfo/BY3?lang=en BY3: Population 1st January, by urban areas] The Mobile Statbank from Statistics Denmark</ref>
== History == Ranum was established around the year 1100 and has been an attractive village throughout the last millennium. Ranum is famous for its educational heritage. The first teaching college (lærer seminarium) was established in 1848. The college was closed in 1994 and was a part of VIA University College until 2011. The historic premises is today a part of Ranum Efterskole. Ranum Efterskole is one of the largest efterskoles in Denmark, boarding and teaching more than 400 students every year.<ref>[https://www.yumpu.com/da/document/view/18294545/ranum-seminarium-1848-2011-via-university-college Ranum Seminarium 1848-2011] VIA University College</ref><ref>[https://www.ranumefterskole.dk/en/ Ranum Efterskole College] ranumefterskole.dk</ref> Ranum International Summer School is a summer camp of this school which attracts students all over the world.<ref>https://www.ranumefterskole.dk/en/portfolio_page/international-sommerskole/</ref>
Vildsted Lake, one of Denmark's biggest nature rehabilitation projects, is located next to Ranum. Vildsted Lake and meadows covers in total 913 hectares and was established (re-created) in 2002–2006. Vildsted Lake is a unique nature resort and resting place for migrating birds.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Vilsted Lake {{!}} An oasis in Himmerland |url=https://www.visithimmerland.eu/himmerland-en/plan-your-stay/vilsted-lake-gdk597468 |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=VisitHimmerland |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vilsted Sø – Aage V. Jensens Fonde |url=https://www.avjf.dk/avjnf/naturomraader/vilsted-soe/ |access-date=2026-03-01 |website=www.avjf.dk}}</ref> Over 200 bird species have been observed over the past ten years in the lake's southern part.<ref name=":0" /> In late summer, you can witness the "Black Sun" phenomenon, when large flocks of starlings roost in the reed beds.
== Shelters and Campsites == <ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Praktisk |url=https://naturstyrelsen.dk/find-et-naturomraade/naturguider/himmerland-og-limfjorden/vilsted-soe/praktisk |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=Naturstyrelsen |language=da-DK}}</ref>Along the trail around Vildsted Lake, there are three campsites that are accessible to the public with disability-accessible shelters, access to water and toilets, and campfire facilities.<ref name=":1" /> There are campfire sites and parking at all three shelter locations. All motor vehicles, including mopeds, are prohibited on the trails.
The first shelter site is located outside Ranum Søhus. <ref name=":1" />Outside the building is a tent site, there are three shelters with space for 12 people.
<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Vilsted Sø (Holmen) |url=https://naturekspeditionen.dk/paa-tur-i-det-fri/shelterpladser/vilsted-soe-holmen |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=naturekspeditionen.dk |language=da}}</ref>A second shelter site is located on Holmen, close to the bird tower in the middle of Vildsted Lake, near the bridge that crosses the lake. <ref name=":2" />This shelter site is equipped with toilets, water, a campsite, and space for 12 people.
<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Vilsted Sø (Vilsted) |url=https://naturekspeditionen.dk/paa-tur-i-det-fri/shelterpladser/vilsted-soe-vilsted |access-date=2026-03-02 |website=naturekspeditionen.dk |language=da}}</ref>A third shelter site is located at Ranumvej 31A, 9670 Løgstør. the site is near Vilsted Klubhus, close to Vildsted Lake. <ref name=":3" />This shelter site is equipped with toilets, water, a campsite, and space for 12 people.
==External links== *[http://www.ranumby.dk The local volunteer Residents and Business Interest community] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920193000/http://ranumby.dk/ |date=20 September 2017 }}
==References== <references/>
{{Vesthimmerland Municipality}} {{Coord|56|54|N|9|14|E|region:DK_type:city|display=title}}
Category:Cities and towns in the North Jutland Region Category:Vesthimmerland Municipality
{{NJutlandDK-stub}}