A Paved Road to Col du Pillon in the Western Swiss Alps
Switzerland, europe
31.8 km
2,500 m
moderate
Year-round
# Col du Pillon
Nestled at 1,546 meters (5,072 feet) in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Col du Pillon sits right on the border between the Vaud and Bern cantons in western Switzerland. This is the real deal—a proper alpine pass that feels genuinely special.
The 31.8-kilometer (19.75-mile) route stretches from Saanen in the Obersimmental-Saanen district all the way down to Ormont-Dessous in the Aigle district, and it's one of those roads that just works. The entire stretch is fully paved and beautifully maintained, so you can focus on soaking in the incredible mountain views rather than worrying about road conditions.
What's brilliant about Col du Pillon is that it's accessible pretty much year-round, thanks to regular maintenance. The summit itself is home to a massive parking area serving the nearby Glacier 3000 ski resort, making it a natural stopping point. If you're feeling adventurous, there's a winding mountain trail from the summit that climbs to the Cabane des Diablerets—a SAC mountain hut perched at 2,500 meters near the Tête aux Chamois peak—perfect for those wanting to extend their adventure into the high alpine terrain.
This is classic Swiss mountain driving at its finest: well-engineered roads, stunning scenery, and year-round accessibility. Definitely worth adding to your alpine road trip list.
Where is it?
A Paved Road to Col du Pillon in the Western Swiss Alps is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.7990, 8.3606
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 31.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,500 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.7990, 8.3606
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