The Creux du Van is a natural rocky cirque approximately 1,400 metres wide and 150 metres deep, on the north side of Le Soliat.[1] It is located in the Val de Travers district, in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel. A very well known, amphitheatre-shaped natural attraction of the area, it is located at the heart of a nature reservation area of 15.5 km².
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The rock arch of Creux du Van was created in 3 phases:
Phase 1: A glacier was covering the area of todays Val de Travers around 140 million years ago (Würm Ice Age). The river stream of the melt water eroded material, making a V-shaped valley.
Phase 2: During new ice ages, other glaciers were created and hollowed out the valley. In warmer periods, the material was eroded by the meltwater.
Phase 3: After the removal of the rocks from the geological fault, another stronger layer from a different age makes the erosion much slower.[2]
See cirque for a description of the process forming features like this.
The underground of the Creux du Van remains frozen to this day. In technical terms, this is called permafrost, a scenario in which there is permanent frost at a given location.[3]
Ibex were introduced in the area in 1965. As of 2009[update], there are 17.[citation needed]
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), which is located a few minutes walk away from the summit of the rocky cirque. Some hiking paths are indicated, via les petites Fauconnières.
Notable trails in the areas include:
1467 Montagne de Bounty
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