Europe's Highlands

Travelling through the Ardennes is an encounter with mountains of a special kind. The plateau, covered with heaths and forests, abounds in a variety of plant and animal species. The Ardennes occupy the majority of Belgium.

The Black Mountains, in south-east Wales, are part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Their highest peaks are Sugar Loaf and Waun Fach. The eastern part of the mountains extends into England.

The Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range is older than the Alps, Andes and Himalayas. It is home to the largest colony of cinereous vultures in Spain. It is also a refuge for many other species of animals and is a popular recreational area.

The Hunsrück, in southwest Germany, is full of rugged landscapes and enchanting valleys. The mountains are surrounded by large rivers, such as the Rhine and the Moselle, which have carved out the black slate of the Hunsrück for millions of years.