| What it is | Low point on a ridge between peaks |
| Also called | Col, pass, gap, notch |
| Why it matters | Natural crossing point for trails |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
A saddle is a low point on a ridge between two higher summits, shaped like a horse’s saddle. Also called a col or pass, saddles are natural places for trails to cross a ridge and often mark the low point between two peaks on a traverse. Their shape can also funnel and accelerate wind.
Why trails cross there
A saddle is the lowest, easiest place to get over a ridge between two summits.
Saddle, col, or pass
In mountaineering the same feature is usually called a col; ‘pass’ stresses a crossing route. Saddles can be windy, so they’re exposed spots to linger.
Frequently asked questions
What is a saddle in hiking?
A saddle is the dip or low point along a ridge between two higher points, named for its resemblance to a horse's saddle. Trails frequently cross ridges at saddles because they're the lowest, easiest place to get over.
What's the difference between a saddle, a col, and a pass?
They overlap: 'saddle' and 'col' both describe the low point between two summits, with 'col' more common in mountaineering, while a 'pass' emphasizes a route used to cross a range. In practice the terms are often interchangeable.
Why is it called a saddle?
Because the curved low point between two high points, rising on either side, resembles the shape of a riding saddle dipping between its front and back. The visual likeness gave the landform its name.
Sources
- Mountain terrain — The Mountaineers