Furka Base Tunnel, railway tunnel
The Furka Base Tunnel is a railway tunnel running through the Swiss Alps, connecting Oberwald in Valais with Realp in Uri. Stretching over 15 kilometers, it passes straight through mountain rock and allows trains to operate year-round regardless of snow or weather conditions.
Built between the early 1970s and 1982, the tunnel replaced the dangerous mountain route often blocked by snow. This new passage enabled reliable rail service during difficult winter months and marked a major milestone in Swiss transportation history.
The tunnel links two historically separate regions and allows people to cross the mountains reliably all year round. Its presence has transformed how locals and visitors experience travel through this mountain terrain.
The tunnel is best experienced from trains that regularly travel this route, allowing visitors to feel the passage through the mountain. The journey takes several minutes and offers a sense of traveling through solid rock beneath the peaks.
The Bedretto Tunnel was originally used during construction to remove excavated rock and transport supplies, but was later rebuilt to serve as a ventilation system. This hidden tunnel network played a crucial role in the building process and continues to support safety underground.
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