Creux du Van

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] in the Val de Travers district in the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel.

The rocky arc of Creux du Van was created in three phases: Phase 1: A glacier covered the area of today's Val de Travers around 140,000 years ago (Würm Ice Age).

Phase 3: After the removal of rocks from the fault, erosion of a stronger layer from a different age was much slower.

The ground beneath the Creux du Van remains permanently frozen to this day (permafrost).

A paved road from Saint-Aubin-Sauges (on Lake Neuchâtel) or Couvet (Val-de-Travers) climbs to la ferme du Soliat (1,382 m), a few minutes walk away from the summit of the rocky cirque.

The Creux du Van
Wild Alpine Ibex and Swiss Alps at Creux du Van with snow during sunset
Wild Alpine Ibex and Swiss Alps at Creux du Van with snow during sunset
Alpine ibexes at the Creux du Van
A picture of sunset taken at the summit of the Creux du Van.