Col de Balme - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

Col de la Forclaz is a mountain pass in the Alps in the Canton of Valais in Switzerland. It connects Martigny at 471 m and Le Châtelard. The road from Martigny to the Col has an average gradient of 6% but in parts is closer to 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.

The Lac d’Emosson reservoir, altitude 1930 metres, was created at the beginning of the 1920s by the construction of a 78 m-high gravity dam built by the SBB with the aim of covering the company’s power requirements. In 1974 this was extended with a 180 m-high arch dam, increasing the lake volume from 40 to 227 million m3 of water. The Lac d’Emosson was created to cover SBB power requirements. The lake is reached by three unusual railways. Dinosaur footprints, some 250 million years old are found

Located in the Aiguilles Rouges nature reserve, one of the most beautiful mountain lakes, famous for its unique panorama facing the Mont-Blanc massif. Lac Blanc sits next to a welcoming refuge, and while hiking you will likely see Ibex and marmots in the surrounding nature reserve. One of the best picnic location and you can do so many activities in and around this place.

The Aiguille des Grands Montets, in the Mont Blanc, is the name given to one of the peaks overlooking the village of Argentiere ( 1200 meters), in Chamonix. It peaks at 3295 meters. Skiing area and also trekking is possible here.

The Argentière glacier is located in the Mont Blanc massif. It overlooks the village of Argentière. This glacier covers an area of 19 km² and an altitude range from 1600 m to 3600 m on a North aspect. Satellite images from various years give a birds’ eye view of the great river of ice retreating further into the mountains.

The Aiguille Verte is one of the most prominent mountains of the Mont Blanc range. Its huge ridges and famous couloirs make it one of the most difficult 4000 m peaks to climb in the Alps. This mythical summit can be climbed through mixed terrain and by different routes. One of the beautiful mountains which was flourished with natural beauty.