The territory of
Western Europe is mostly flat. However, about 17 percent of its area is still occupied by mountains. First of all, these are the Alps, then the Pyrenees, Carpathians, Apennines and others. The highest mountains of Western Europe are undoubtedly the Alps, which are simultaneously considered the most extensive (300 sq. Km) system of ridges and massifs.
Alpine mountains
The vast mountain system of Western Europe, the Alps, is located on the territory of 8 states. A zigzag line of ridges, ridges, elevations with an arc stretches from the Ligurian Sea (France, Monaco, Italy) to the Middle Danube Plain (Austria, Slovenia) for 1200 km.
The highest mountains of Western Europe are conditionally divided into two parts: Western (higher) and Eastern (lower). By the way, the first part, in turn, is divided into two more halves, as a result, the Central Alps stand out, which pass through Switzerland, Austria and Italy.
The Eastern Alps stretch through Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Slovenia. They are significantly lower than Western. Their highest point is Mount Bernina, located in Switzerland. Its height is 4049 meters.
In Germany, Zugspitze is considered to be the highest (almost 3,000 m). In Austria - Grossglockner (3798 m).
Mont Blanc - the top of the peaks
The highest mountains of Western Europe also contain the highest peak in this part of the world. Mount Mont Blanc is located in the Western Alps on the border between Italy and France, its height reaches 4810 meters. In length, it stretches for 50 kilometers in the form of a crystalline massif.
Mont Blanc in translation means "white mountain". This is understandable, the snowy peak is also covered with ice. By the way, the area of Mont Blanc glaciation occupies about 200 square meters. km Therefore, to reach the “White Mountain” was difficult and more than once ended in the death of climbers.
And yet, the highest mountains of Western Europe, including their main peak, obeyed people. The doctor Michelle-Gabriel Pakkar and his guide Jacques Balma on August 8, 1786 rose to the coveted height. Interestingly, in 1886 an expedition led by Theodore Roosevelt, the future president of the United States, reached the White Mountain.
Exotic lovers
Today, Mont Blanc is an attractive place for lovers of winter sports, climbers and just travelers, albeit well physically prepared.
For example, around the Mont Blanc passes a 130-kilometer tourist route. It captures the territories of Switzerland, Italy and France and is divided into 10 stages from the calculation: from 3 to 10 hours on the way through the picturesque area.
Routes have also been developed that allow reaching the border of glaciers, for example, to the Chalet de Pyramids from the Chamonix Valley.
Since 1958, a
cableway has been operating on Mont Blanc
, along which you can climb to the massif, but, of course, not to the highest point of the mountain. However, the Aiguille du Midi peak (3842 m), it is there that the cable car delivers tourists, makes it possible to appreciate the attractive beauty of these ridges. And under Mont Blanc passes a 12-kilometer tunnel through which you can move from Italy to France by car.
Pyrenees - high mountains of Western Europe
The Iberian mountains, as it were, enclose the Iberian Peninsula in the north, isolating Spain from the rest of Europe, stretching 450 km from the shores of the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea.
The Pyrenees mountains are divided into three parts, based on natural conditions: Western (Atlantic), Central (High) and Eastern (Mediterranean).
The Central Pyrenees are therefore called high because their greatest peaks are located here. Aneto Peak, the highest point of the Pyrenees, rises above sea level by 3404 meters, Mount Pose - by 3375 meters, Mount Monte Perdido - by 3355 meters, Mount Vinmal - by 3298 meters, Peak Lon - by 3194 meters.
On the territory of the Pyrenees mountains, a dwarf state was completely located - the principality of Andorra, inhabited mainly by the Catalans.
The Pyrenees are known for their karst caves, the originality of which is given by stalactites, underground lakes, as well as prehistoric cave paintings. Also famous are the Pyrenees Occidental Nature Reserve and the Spanish National Park of Ordesa y Monte Perdido.
On the Iberian Peninsula
This peninsula should not be ignored if we continue to consider the topic "Mountains of Western Europe." The list will be replenished first by the Cantabrian mountains, which follow the Pyrenees, although below them, but also quite high (Picos de Europa, up to 2613 m). To the south of them is the vast Meseta massif; its plateau is divided by the ridges of the Central Cordillera up to 2592 meters high.
There are Iberian mountains up to 2313 meters high. And finally, the Andalusian mountains. They belong to the second place after the Alps in the height of the mountain peaks. Mount Mulasen (Sierra Nevada Range) rises to 3487 m. This is the largest peak not only of the peninsula, but also of Spain. It offers wonderful views of the hanging Corral glacier and other peaks of the Sierra Nevada.
Mountain Range - Apennines
The mountains in Western Europe belong to the most picturesque corners of the earth, confirmation of this is the Apennines, which cross the peninsula in the middle and pass through Italy.
In the lower part of the hill (500-700 m) vineyards, olive and lemon trees are grown. At an altitude of 900–1000 m, mixed and then coniferous forests grow. Alpine and subalpine meadows are getting closer to the peaks.
The highest point of the Apennines is Corno Grande, its height is 2912 meters. By the way, snow in these mountains can be found only there.
Unfortunately, such mountain beauty of the Apennines is fraught with danger. There is a very high seismic activity: earthquakes in this region of Europe are not uncommon. In the south of the Apennine Peninsula is Mount Vesuvius. The volcano Etna (3076 m, Sicily) is a tectonic continuation of the Apennines. Both of them are active, so the danger of eruptions exists constantly.
The mountains of Western Europe are indescribable in beauty! Photos, especially successfully made, of course, reflect part of this beauty.