Driving the Sensational Paved Road to Lac de Moiry
Switzerland, europe
29 km
2,249 m
easy
Year-round
# 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.
Where is it?
Driving the Sensational Paved Road to Lac de Moiry is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.7941, 7.9555
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 29 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,249 m
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- 46.7941, 7.9555
Related Roads in europe
moderateGermany’s 4 Most Beautiful Scenic Drives
🇩🇪 Germany
# Germany's Most Magical Road Trips Ready for an epic German road adventure? Trust us—this country is basically built for road trips. Picture-perfect vineyards, dramatic mountains, charming meadows, and fairy-tale castles everywhere you look. Plus, the roads connecting them all are absolutely fantastic, making every drive feel like part of the experience itself. ## The Romantic Road – Pure Magic The Romantic Road (Romantische Strasse) lives up to its name and then some. Stretching 400 kilometers, this iconic drive takes you through the heart of German culture, history, and nature. The landscape keeps changing around every bend, which means you'll never get bored. You'll start in Würzburg and hit some seriously picturesque stops like the medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Augsburg, and Dinkelsbühl. Throw in a visit to the legendary Neuschwanstein Castle—honestly, it's worth the detour. ## The Castle Road – A 70-Castle Dream If you're obsessed with castles, the Castle Road is basically your heaven. This epic 1,200-kilometer route is practically drenched in fairytale vibes and legend. Starting from Mannheim, you'll encounter incredible landscapes and seriously impressive architecture the entire way. Stop at the stunning castles in Bamberg, Nuremberg, Bayreuth, and Heidelberg, plus don't miss Rothenburg ob der Tauber again—it's that good. Best part? There are about 70 castles total along this route, so you could spend weeks exploring. ## The Wine Route – Sun and Sips The Wine Route (Weinstrasse) is a sun-soaked 85-kilometer paradise running from the French border at Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Bockenheim. This is wine-lover territory: expect wine festivals, tastings, and seriously delicious Rhineland-Palatinate food. The drive itself is gorgeous too, with rolling vineyards and cherry blossoms creating the perfect Instagram backdrop. ## The Fairy Tale Route – Family Adventure This 600-kilometer journey from Hanau to Bremen is perfect if you're traveling with kids (or you never grew up). You'll follow in the footsteps of the Grimm Brothers, visiting their hometowns, inspiration spots, and real locations from their famous stories—including Snow White's actual hometown and the legendary Red Riding House. Picturesque towns, palaces, and castles dot the entire route.
hardA winding unpaved road to Omanite Peak on Crete
🇬🇷 Greece
# Omanite Peak: A White Mountains Adventure Ready for an unforgettable drive? Omanite Peak, towering at 1,157 meters (3,795 feet) above sea level on Crete's stunning White Mountains, is calling your name—but fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday cruise. Starting from the charming mountain village of Asi Gonia in eastern Chania, you're looking at an 8.4-kilometer (5.21-mile) roller coaster of a road that climbs 715 meters with an average gradient of 8.51%. Every single inch is unpaved, so bring your 4x4 and your sense of adventure. The real kicker? Thirty-three hairpin turns snake their way up the mountain, with plenty of white-knuckle narrow sections to keep you on your toes. But here's the payoff: reach the summit and you'll be rewarded with a visit to a traditional Orthodox chapel, Ιερό Παρεκκλήσιο, which welcomes visitors and offers a moment of spiritual reflection at the top of the world. The views from up here? Absolutely worth every twist, turn, and bump in the road. This is one for the bucket list if you're a serious mountain driving enthusiast.
hardA Hairy Road to Monte Stol in the Slovenian Coastal Region
🌍 Slovenia
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever heard of Monte Stol in Slovenia's Littoral region? This bad boy sits at 1,385m (4,543ft) and is a must-see. You'll find it way out west near Italy, and you can't miss the transmitter sticking out the top. The road up? Buckle up, buttercup! It's 11.5 km (7.14 miles) of pure, unadulterated unpaved madness starting from Sedlo. We're talking 18 hairpin turns, super steep climbs, and some serious drop-offs that'll test your mettle. You'll be climbing 864m at an average gradient of 7.51%, so be sure your vehicle is ready for the challenge. Normally, the road is open year-round, but Mother Nature sometimes throws a winter tantrum and shuts things down. Keep an eye on the forecast! But oh, the views! Seriously stunning. At the summit, you'll find Planina Božca, a charming cattle farm. From there, you can soak in the Kanin, the Julian Alps, Krn, Matajur. On a clear day, you can even spot the Adriatic Sea and the Dolomites. Keep an eye out for a memorial to Joshua Goldstein on the way up, too. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience!
hardCol des Trabesses
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! Col des Trabesses is calling your name! This stunner of a mountain pass sits way up high in the French Pyrenees, in the Ariège department, clocking in at a cool 6,286 feet above sea level. You'll find it along the D25, a paved road connecting Mijanès and Ax-les-Thermes. The road is pretty quiet, so you’ll feel like you have the mountains all to yourself! And let me tell you, as you climb higher, the views get even more breathtaking. Keep an eye out, too, because this road has been featured in the Tour de France! Expect some steep climbs near the top—we're talking gradients of up to 10% that will definitely get your engine revving. Oh, and a little bonus: there's a gravel road leading to the super scenic Lac de Plan d'Amont nearby if you fancy a detour!