Val Ferret

The Val Ferret is a valley on the southern side of Rhône valley in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. It lies between the Mont Blanc Massif and the Pennine Alps, with the river "La Drance de Ferret" running down the length of the valley from its source to "La Drance" river.

Geography

The valley starts at the Col Ferret (2490 m) on the Italian border. It is surrounded by high mountains, especially on the west side (Mont Dolent, Tour Noir and other summits of the Mont Blanc Massif).

The main villages of the Val Ferret are (from up to down): Ferret, L'A Neuve, La Fouly, Prayon, Praz de Fort, Issert and Som la Proz, all belonging to the municipality of Orsières. Altogether, the valley has approximately 700 inhabitants (1st January 2008 [ [http://www.orsieres.ch/index.cfm?Page=Buildpage&MainMenuId=128&SousMenuId=245 Municipality of Orsière official website] ] ).

Tourism

The valley is mostly frequented by hikers on the route of the Tour du Mont Blanc. Many excursions are possible from the villages, such as: Cabane de l'A Neuve from L'A Neuve or Cabane de Saleina from Praz de Fort or Cabane du Trient above the Trient Glacier.

References