Path to the mountains
One of many hiking paths winding up into the mountains of the Glencoe area in Scotland.
The mountains of Glencoe are built from some of the oldest sedimentary and volcanic strata in the world. They were subsequently moulded, sheared and repositioned by a geological event known as a ‘cauldron subsidence’ which took place 380 million years ago.
The effects of glaciation, and millions of years and many cycles of erosion have subsequently carved and worn the rocks away into the formation we know today. Glencoe is bounded on its northern side by the famous Aonach Eagach or ‘notched ridge’ – a pinnacled ridge linking three peaks over 3000 feet which stretches for over three miles.
Indeed it is the narrowest ridge on the UK mainland. In contrast, the glen’s southern flanks are a complex assemblage of peaks, ridges and valleys which rise up above the peat hags and scattered lochans of Rannoch moor and extend to the shores of Loch Leven, some ten miles distant.
Path to the mountains
One of many hiking paths winding up into the mountains of the Glencoe area in Scotland.
The mountains of Glencoe are built from some of the oldest sedimentary and volcanic strata in the world. They were subsequently moulded, sheared and repositioned by a geological event known as a ‘cauldron subsidence’ which took place 380 million years ago.
The effects of glaciation, and millions of years and many cycles of erosion have subsequently carved and worn the rocks away into the formation we know today. Glencoe is bounded on its northern side by the famous Aonach Eagach or ‘notched ridge’ – a pinnacled ridge linking three peaks over 3000 feet which stretches for over three miles.
Indeed it is the narrowest ridge on the UK mainland. In contrast, the glen’s southern flanks are a complex assemblage of peaks, ridges and valleys which rise up above the peat hags and scattered lochans of Rannoch moor and extend to the shores of Loch Leven, some ten miles distant.