Europe Explored » geological formations https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France https://europeexplored.com/2011/04/13/pyrenees-mountains-hiking-paradise-between-spain-and-france/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/04/13/pyrenees-mountains-hiking-paradise-between-spain-and-france/#comments Wed, 13 Apr 2011 10:42:52 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=3505 Pyrenees – wild, scenic and beautiful. This mountain range forms a natural border between France and Spain and in spite of many civilization shoots it is still among the best preserved nature areas in Europe. However its steep cliffs, snowy peaks and deep valleys attract still more and more tourists and on the wild rapids […]

The post Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Pyrenees – wild, scenic and beautiful. This mountain range forms a natural border between France and Spain and in spite of many civilization shoots it is still among the best preserved nature areas in Europe. However its steep cliffs, snowy peaks and deep valleys attract still more and more tourists and on the wild rapids of the rivers there are more boats and rafts, the Pyrenees still have a touch of wildness and secrets.

It is obviously desirable to maintain this natural wealth into the future. The part of the Pyrenees even got to the UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to its uniqueness. It is an area around Mont Perdu, which limestone massif rises to a height of 3352 meters above sea level. The total area covers 31,189 hectares, although it was initially smaller. The first entry was made in 1997, and the protected area was enlarge three years later. It is also a place of the oldest Spanish National Park with long name Parque Nacional Valle de Ordesa – Monte Perdido, founded in 1918 on an area of ​​20.5km2 and later extended. On the French side it has a younger partner, the Pyrénées National Park established in 1967.


View Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France on the Larger Map

On the Spanish side there are two largest and deepest canyons in Europe. On the French side you will find three great glacials. These geological formations are accompanied by mysterious caves, clear water lakes, deep forests and colorful meadows.

In terms of human life, the landscape of Mont Perdu is such a kind of window to the past. The farmers live in almost the same way of life as before, that was formerly common in all mountainous areas of Europe.

The most impressive canyons are mainly Ordesa, Pineta and Añisclo. You can choose from many hiking trails of varying difficulty, from very easy ones to the downright climbing. But you have to be prepared that the hiking trails can be challenging and sometimes a bit awkward. This applies to certain trails called “fajas” that lead over ledges along the canyon, but more to the trails “clavijas” that leads through the steel steps at the steep rock walls.


View Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France on the Larger Map

Everywhere you see something interesting and very diverse, ranging from bare rock to almost impenetrable vegetation.

The highest summits of Pyrenees are Pico d’Aneto or Pic de Néthou (3,404 metres), Posets peak (3,375 metres), Mont Perdu or Monte Perdido (3,355 metres). You will find here also the highest waterfall – The Gavarnie, which is the tallest waterfall in France, and one of the most impressive and highest waterfalls in Europe.

Pyrenees contains three national parks – Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (Spain), Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park (Spain) and Pyrénées National Park (France).

In winter the mountains are great place for alpine skiing.


View Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France in a larger map

The post Pyrenees Mountains – hiking paradise between Spain and France appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2011/04/13/pyrenees-mountains-hiking-paradise-between-spain-and-france/feed/ 1
Lulworth Cove – beautiful natural attraction at Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/22/lulworth-cove-dorset-united-kingdom/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/22/lulworth-cove-dorset-united-kingdom/#comments Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:49:04 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=771 Along the Jurassic Coast, just outside of the small village of West Lulworth is where you will find the popular Lulworth Cove. More than half of a million people visit the cove every single year; most people visit it between the months from July to August. Nearby the cove is where you will also find […]

The post Lulworth Cove – beautiful natural attraction at Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
Along the Jurassic Coast, just outside of the small village of West Lulworth is where you will find the popular Lulworth Cove. More than half of a million people visit the cove every single year; most people visit it between the months from July to August. Nearby the cove is where you will also find the popular Durdle Door Arch.

The cove has attracted countless visitors not only because of its beauty, but also because of its mysteries. The rocks that form the walls of the cove consist of bands of rocks which over the years have formed parallel to the coastline.

Lulworth Cove and surroundings, Dorset, England, UK
Lulworth Cove and surroundings, Dorset, England, UK by Arpingstone

The cove entrance is nothing more than a small gap that has been eroded away between some bands of limestone. Since the limestone is the most resilient of the shoreline rocks, it is found most abundantly in the area. The cove itself was once filled with sands and clays which over the millennia have been eroded away by the waves and through water run-off.

Over the years, as the waves started making their way into the cove, they started to reshape it. The uniqueness of the Lulworth Cove’s shape is as a result of what is known as wave diffraction. Needless to say, the cove is a very unique and picturesque geological landmark in the UK.

It is believed that only a few thousand years ago, the Lulworth Cove looked much different than it does today. Only about a kilometre away you will find a site that is known as Stair Hole. Many people believe that the cove started off very similar to the hole before reaching the shape it is known for today.

Anyone who makes their way to the Jurassic Coast has to stop at West Lulworth first. From here, most make their way to the Lulworth Cove before stopping off to see the many other popular sites along the coastlines. Here, where the land has simply folded over on itself time and time again, you will find some of the most amazing geological formations as well as the potential to find some fossils that date back to the day when dinosaurs called the area home.

The area is also importance to the nation as the sand beneath the area where the Lulworth Cove sits is one of the richest oil deposits in the United Kingdom. With the coastline being designated a World Heritage Site, special care must be taken to extract the oil from the seabed without affecting the coastline and the fossils buried beneath.

The post Lulworth Cove – beautiful natural attraction at Jurassic Coast, Dorset, England appeared first on Europe Explored.

]]>
https://europeexplored.com/2010/07/22/lulworth-cove-dorset-united-kingdom/feed/ 0