Col de la Forclaz
Encyclopedia
Col de la Forclaz is a mountain pass in the Alps
in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland
. It connects Martigny
at 471 m (1,545.3 ft) and Le Châtelard
(Finhaut
). The road from Martigny to the Col has an average gradient of 6% but in parts is more like 8%. After the Col, and Le Châtelard, the road leads to Chamonix
in France
via Vallorcine
and the Col des Montets
.
The pass was little known in the 19th century. It was not until the rise in tourism, particularly in Chamonix, that the region became a popular tourist area.
Construction on the road was begun in 1827 and the tunnel completed in 1836 (and expanded in 1905). The road was at first opened only to public transport and was not open to private vehicles until 1920. At the time, the pass was closed at night, and the speed limit was 18 km/h (11.2 mph).
Today, the pass is an important link to the tourist areas around the Mont Blanc
. There is a restaurant and shop at the pass, and it is a popular destination for weekend excursions and bicycle and motorcycle tours. A number of trailheads at the pass invite hikers into the mountains (Arpille, Bovine, etc.) or to the foot of the nearby glacier (Glacier du Trient).
The pass is generally open in winter, but together with the Col des Montets
on the French side it can be closed in extreme weather and will frequently require snow chains
and/or winter tires. In the event of closure, travellers who want to go to Chamonix must take the long detour around Lake Geneva
. Conditions can be checked with Chamonix tourist office.
There is another connection from Martigny to France (by train only) through the Vallée du Trient (Gorges du Trient): the line Martigny au Châtelard
(Chemin de Fer de Martigny au Châtelard
)/Chamonix
(Ligne de Saint Gervais - Vallorcine).
Alps
The Alps is one of the great mountain range systems of Europe, stretching from Austria and Slovenia in the east through Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany to France in the west....
in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It connects Martigny
Martigny, Switzerland
Martigny is the capital of the French-speaking district of Martigny in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It lies at an elevation of , and its population is approximately 15000 inhabitants . It is a junction of roads joining Italy, France and Switzerland...
at 471 m (1,545.3 ft) and Le Châtelard
Le Châtelard, Valais
Le Châtelard is a town in the canton of Valais, Switzerland near the border with France. It is part of the municipality of Finhaut.- Transportation :...
(Finhaut
Finhaut
Finhaut is a municipality in the district of Saint-Maurice in the canton of Valais in Switzerland.-Geography:Finhaut has an area, , of . Of this area, 3.2% is used for agricultural purposes, while 26.3% is forested...
). The road from Martigny to the Col has an average gradient of 6% but in parts is more like 8%. After the Col, and Le Châtelard, the road leads to Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics...
in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
via Vallorcine
Vallorcine
Vallorcine is a municipality in the Haute-Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes State in south-eastern France.-Geography:Located at the foot of the Mont Blanc Vallorcine is a tiny and so far unspoilt little ski village located within the Chamonix Valley and forming part of the Domaine de Balme ski...
and the Col des Montets
Col des Montets
Col des Montets is a mountain pass in the French Alps in the Haute-Savoie department of France. It is on the road between Chamonix and Martigny in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.It lies between the Swiss Col de la Forclaz and Chamonix....
.
The pass was little known in the 19th century. It was not until the rise in tourism, particularly in Chamonix, that the region became a popular tourist area.
History
The pass was originally a track used by mule teams and smugglers that zig-zagged up the mountain face from Martigny and over into France.Construction on the road was begun in 1827 and the tunnel completed in 1836 (and expanded in 1905). The road was at first opened only to public transport and was not open to private vehicles until 1920. At the time, the pass was closed at night, and the speed limit was 18 km/h (11.2 mph).
Today, the pass is an important link to the tourist areas around the Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc
Mont Blanc or Monte Bianco , meaning "White Mountain", is the highest mountain in the Alps, Western Europe and the European Union. It rises above sea level and is ranked 11th in the world in topographic prominence...
. There is a restaurant and shop at the pass, and it is a popular destination for weekend excursions and bicycle and motorcycle tours. A number of trailheads at the pass invite hikers into the mountains (Arpille, Bovine, etc.) or to the foot of the nearby glacier (Glacier du Trient).
The pass is generally open in winter, but together with the Col des Montets
Col des Montets
Col des Montets is a mountain pass in the French Alps in the Haute-Savoie department of France. It is on the road between Chamonix and Martigny in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.It lies between the Swiss Col de la Forclaz and Chamonix....
on the French side it can be closed in extreme weather and will frequently require snow chains
Snow chains
Snow chains, or tire chains, are devices fitted to the tires of vehicles to provide maximum traction when driving through snow and ice....
and/or winter tires. In the event of closure, travellers who want to go to Chamonix must take the long detour around Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva or Lake Léman is a lake in Switzerland and France. It is one of the largest lakes in Western Europe. 59.53 % of it comes under the jurisdiction of Switzerland , and 40.47 % under France...
. Conditions can be checked with Chamonix tourist office.
There is another connection from Martigny to France (by train only) through the Vallée du Trient (Gorges du Trient): the line Martigny au Châtelard
Le Châtelard, Valais
Le Châtelard is a town in the canton of Valais, Switzerland near the border with France. It is part of the municipality of Finhaut.- Transportation :...
(Chemin de Fer de Martigny au Châtelard
Chemin de Fer de Martigny au Châtelard
The Martigny–Châtelard Railway, abbreviated MC, French Chemins de fer Martigny–Châtelard, is a rack railway in the canton of Valais, Switzerland....
)/Chamonix
Chamonix
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc or, more commonly, Chamonix is a commune in the Haute-Savoie département in the Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. It was the site of the 1924 Winter Olympics, the first Winter Olympics...
(Ligne de Saint Gervais - Vallorcine).
See also
- List of highest paved roads in Europe
- List of mountain passes
- List of the highest Swiss passes