Emosson - Dam Trophy

From the very first meters, you cross a beautiful terraced vineyard, and the view of the gradually shrinking Martigny gives you the good feeling of having overcome a proud altitude difference. One last look at the Rhone Valley, then you cross the Col de la Forclaz (1528 m). Feel free to take a break for a delicious fruit tart at the Hotel Col de la Forclaz because the path is still long! After this well-deserved pause, you descend into the village of Trient before turning right and tackling the second ascent, which leads through the village of Finhaut. With every meter of altitude gained, an increasingly untouched, fairytale landscape reveals itself! The dam remains hidden until the very last moment. Only after crossing the Col de la Gueulaz (1965 m) does it reveal itself in full size, and you will be royally rewarded for your efforts: with views of Mont Blanc, the Aiguilles du Tour, and the mighty dam! Built from 1969 to 1975, this dam is the second largest in Switzerland and the third highest in the canton of Valais. In spring, if you're lucky, you can still see the remains of the old Barberine dam rising from the back of the lake from the dam crest. This valley dam, built in 1925, was itself a victim of the floods following the construction of the new Emosson dam.