Creux du Van
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The Creux du Van is a natural rocky
. A very well known, amphitheatre-shaped natural attraction, it is at the heart of a nature reservation area of 15.5 km2.Geology
The rocky arc of Creux du Van was created in three phases:
Phase 1: A
Phase 2: During subsequent ice ages, other glaciers were created and hollowed out the valley. In warmer periods, the material was eroded by meltwater.
Phase 3: After the removal of rocks from the fault, erosion of a stronger layer from a different age was much slower.[2]
See cirque for a description of the process forming features like this.
The ground beneath the Creux du Van remains permanently frozen to this day (permafrost).[3]
Attraction
Ibex were introduced in the area in 1965. As of 2009[update], there are 17.[citation needed]
Access
The summit area can be reached on foot or by car. A paved road from Saint-Aubin-Sauges (on Lake Neuchâtel) or Couvet (Val-de-Travers) climbs to la ferme du Soliat (1,382 m), a few minutes walk away from the summit of the rocky cirque. Some hiking paths are signposted, via les petites Fauconnières.
Notable trails in the areas include:
- Le sentier des quatorze contours (the path of the 14 bends) starts in Noiraigue (Val-de-Travers).
- Le sentier du Single leads to the summit directly from the area called La ferme Robert.
- Other unmarked paths allow access to the summit via la crête du Dos d'Ane or also from la Fontaine Froide via le Pertuis de Bise (a breach into the wall of rocks).
Panorama
1467 Montagne de Bounty
References
- Creux du Van (Canton of Neuchâtel Tourist Office)
Notes
- ^ Creux du Van (1:25,000) (Map). Swisstopo. Retrieved 8 February 2015.
- ^ "Three Top Excursions To The Creux Du Van You Don't Want To Miss". Switzerland by Locals.
- ^ "A practical guide to hiking the Creux du Van rock arena". Newly Swissed Online Magazine. 6 October 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-10-07. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
46°55′57″N 6°43′25″E / 46.93250°N 6.72361°E
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