Val Ferret, U-shaped valley near Orsières, Switzerland.
Val Ferret is a U-shaped valley near Orsières that stretches about 18 kilometers and is crossed by the Dranse de Ferret river. The river shapes the landscape between limestone and granite formations, while the Grand Col Ferret Pass sits at the valley's end.
The valley has been known for timber production since medieval times, with logs used to supply the Great Saint Bernard Hospice. This tradition continued for several centuries until it ended in the late 1800s.
The valley contains several small villages like Praz de Fort and La Fouly, where you can find traditional Alpine architecture and local ways of life. These settlements shape the character of the valley and show how people have lived with the mountain landscape for generations.
The valley forms an important part of the Tour du Mont Blanc and connects Switzerland to Italy via the Grand Col Ferret Pass. Visitors should keep in mind that higher sections are weather-dependent and proper hiking gear is needed.
Scientists confirmed in the 1990s through genetic analysis that wolves from Italy had returned to the region. This recolonization by wild predators is a sign of natural recovery in the Alps.
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