Travel guide to the top of Col des Vaux

Travel guide to the top of Col des Vaux

Switzerland, europe

Length

8 km

Elevation

2,705 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

# Col des Vaux

Want to experience some serious Alpine adventure? Head to Col des Vaux, a jaw-dropping mountain pass sitting at 2,705m (8,874ft) in the Entremont district of Valais, southwestern Switzerland.

This isn't your typical scenic drive. Starting from Verbier, you're looking at roughly 8km (5 miles) of pure unpaved terrain—think loose rocks, gravel, and some seriously steep pitches that'll test both you and your vehicle. Fair warning: you'll need a proper 4x4 to tackle this beast. The road basically serves as access to the chairlift, and it ranks among Switzerland's highest routes.

Planning a visit? Mark your calendar for July through October only. From November until June, this pass is completely impassable, locked down by snow and weather. But when conditions are right, the rugged scenery and the thrill of conquering one of the country's most extreme mountain roads make it absolutely unforgettable.

Where is it?

Travel guide to the top of Col des Vaux is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 47.0636, 8.3327

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Road Details

Country
Switzerland
Continent
europe
Length
8 km
Max Elevation
2,705 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
47.0636, 8.3327

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