リッテン-レノンの峡谷・トップ19

A splendid natural monument, the earth pyramids of Renon have very few equals in Europe for their state of conservation and height. They are located in the Sarntal Alps and are the remnant of the retreat of some moraine glaciers.

Very steep gorge. Mountain boots are very useful. The path is partially secured with wire ropes.

A remnant from the Ice Age - the earth pyramids on Ritten

THE CREATION OF THE EARTH PYRAMIDS Earth pyramids consist of clay piled up in a cone shape and the boulders lying on top and often form bizarre landscape shapes. They can arise in soils made from late Ice Age moraine clay, which remains here on the Ritten from the Eisacktal main glacier and some local secondary glaciers. These soils are rock hard when dry, but as soon as it rains they turn into a soft paste and slide away, forming steep slopes 10 to 15 meters high. Further rainfall washes out these slopes, but if there are boulders in the softer earth material, the clay under these rocks is protected from the rain and while the surrounding material is eroded further and further by the weather, the majestic earth pyramids literally grow out of the ground. It is difficult to say how long it takes for an earth pyramid to form because there are too many components working together. It is also impossible to determine exactly how old an earth pyramid is or can become. However, it is clear that the largest and most beautiful pyramids can be formed over a period of up to thousands of years. An earth pyramid is over very quickly once the capstone falls from the top of the pyramid: the material is exposed to the rain without any protection and the column becomes smaller with every rain. And while one earth pyramid disappears as a result of this process, the next one is already being created further up the slope. https://www.ritten.com/de/1201-erdpyramiden/74-die-entstehung-der-erdpyramiden

Here is the gateway to the wonderful nature in the Schlern area. Fantastically beautiful here!

Great nature and beautiful paths... you can take a breather here!

Wonderful place in the middle of nature. It's worth taking a break here.

Currently (September 2023) repair work is underway on the trail near the Bear Trap