Pas de Chavanette

Pas de Chavanette

Switzerland, europe

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,147 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Pas de Chavanette: A High-Alpine Adventure

Perched at 2,147 meters (7,043 feet) on the French-Swiss border, Pas de Chavanette sits dramatically above the Avoriaz ski slopes—a seriously impressive mountain pass that's not for the faint of heart.

Fair warning: this route is all gravel and rocky terrain that gets genuinely sketchy when conditions turn ugly. Winters? Forget about it—the pass becomes completely impassable. This is squarely in the realm of experienced off-roaders only. If unpaved mountain roads make you nervous or heights give you the chills, do yourself a favor and skip this one.

The final 1-2 kilometers are absolutely brutal—steep as they come and slippery enough to keep your knuckles white on the steering wheel. Add rain into the mix and that muddy surface becomes a real test of skill and nerves. You'll need solid clearance and serious driving chops to tackle this beast, especially once you hit those final punishing grades.

Bottom line? This is a genuine mountain challenge that rewards capable drivers with an unforgettable high-altitude experience straddling two countries. Just make sure you know what you're getting into before you point your vehicle uphill.

Where is it?

Pas de Chavanette is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9163, 8.2287

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Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Max Elevation
2,147 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
46.9163, 8.2287

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