How tall are the pyrenees mountain range

The oldest rocks in the Pyrenees date from the Hercyian Orogeny, which occurred around million years ago. Over the next million years, the ancient mountains formed during this period eroded away and became covered by a shallow sea.

Around million years ago, a change in direction of plate movement caused the collision of two continental plates The Iberian Peninsula with Europe which led to the uplift of the Pyrenees. The initial mountain building began in the Eocene period which the majority of the uplift and deformation occurring in the Oligocene period. The Pyrenees Mountains, located in southwest Europe , form a natural border between France and Spain.

The mountain range stretches km between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is an unexplored and wild area which features high peaks, often exceeding m above sea-level. Glaciers can also be found in the mountain range, but unfortunately, they are receding due to climate change. The climate of the Pyrenees Mountains varies as you move from east to west. Precipitation, both snow and rain, is far greater in the western Pyrenees than the eastern Pyrenees due to the moist air that blows over the Bay of Biscay from the Atlantic Ocean.

The mountain range has an average winter temperature of -2 degrees Celsius. The lower mountains in the west are characterized forests and the extent of which decreases as you move eastwards. The east can be described as being wild and more barren, where granite masses prevail.

In the west the plant life is similar to that of eastern Europe, whereas the east has more Mediterranean plant life. The Pyrenees have nearly as many endemic plant species as the Alps.

There are also very interesting animal species that are endemic to the area. The Pyrenean desman is found only in some of the streams of the northern slopes of these mountains. The Pyrenean euprocte lives in streams and lakes at high altitudes. There are also blind insects in the Caverns of Ariege and the Pyrenean brown bear, which has been brought back from the brink of extinction. The Pyrenees fall in the countries of France and Spain and create a natural border between the two.

The mountain range is separated into three sections; the western, eastern and central Pyrenees. The range stretches km north-south and km east-west. The highest point is Pico de Aneto, which at 3, m above sea-level is the highest point in all of the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees Mountains have summits of m above sea-level or higher with a total of 83 secondary summits. Of the three-thousanders, 59 are in Spain , 26 are in France and 15 delimit the border between the two countries.

This mountain is the second highest peak in the Pyrenees Mountains and stands at m above sea-level. Like Aneto, it stands in the Spanish province of Huesca. Mount Peridido is the third highest mountain in the Pyrenees. There are around 2, species of flowers and plants. Depending on the season, there is always something to see.

The fauna is equally as diverse with over 4, species of animals in the region. In the high mountains the marmottes and ibex can be found, the latter being recently reintroduced into the area. Moving east there are fewer forests. There is m of vertical elevation along the ridge taking you to the summit at m. From the peak you will have access to panoramic views across the surrounding valleys. Est time 2hrs. Legend has it that the gap was created in in AD by Count Roland, a Frankish military leader of Charlemagne, as he cut into the mountain with his sword.

The gap can be reached from the parking at the summit of the Col de Tentes. From here there is a 5. The route back is the same, resulting in a total distance of 11km and m of elevation up to. The western part of the Pyrenees mountain range comprises granite peaks that are covered by limestone layers.

The eastern part of the mountain range comprises gneissose and granite rocks. The higher elevations of the mountains have numerous "gaves" which form high waterfalls and many passes that are circled by cirques hanging valleys. Many sulfurous and saline hot springs are found here. The Western Pyrenees receive more rain and snowfall in comparison to the Eastern Pyrenees. Therefore, some glaciers are found in the Central and Western portions but no such glaciers are found in the Eastern Pyrenees.

The flora on the western side of the Pyrenees mountains is quite similar to that of Central Europe whereas the eastern side has a Mediterranean type of vegetation.