Driving the Sensational Paved Road to Lac de Moiry

# Lac de Moiry: A Alpine Lake Worth the Drive

Head to the Sierre district in Valais, Switzerland, and you'll find yourself at Lac de Moiry, a jaw-dropping high mountain reservoir sitting pretty at 2,249m (7,378ft). Seriously, this place has to be seen to be believed—the water is this incredible turquoise blue that'll make your Instagram feed sing.

The dam itself is pretty impressive too, built back in 1958. We're talking a 600m stretch of concrete standing 148m tall. It's the kind of engineering feat that makes you stop and appreciate human ambition (and the incredible views from the top).

Starting from Chippis, you've got a pleasant 29km (18 miles) cruise ahead of you on a fully paved road that's been smooth sailing since the 1950s. The drive is pure magic—expect glacier views, dramatic snow-capped peaks, and scenery that'll have you pulling over constantly for photos.

But there's more! Once you hit Lac de Moiry, the road doesn't stop. Continue for another easy 4km to reach Lac de Châteaupré, perched even higher at 2,357m (7,732ft). It's like the cherry on top of an already perfect mountain experience.

Here's the catch: this route plays by mountain rules. You can typically access it from late June through the first big snowfall of the season. Winter? That's a gamble—closures happen whenever the snow decides to stick around without getting cleared. Plan accordingly, and you'll have the time of your life.