How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Col des Gentianes
Switzerland, europe
6 km
2,906 m
hard
Year-round
Col des Gentianes is a high mountain peak sitting pretty at 2,906m (9,534ft) above sea level in the Entremont district of Valais, Switzerland. It's genuinely one of Europe's highest roads, and trust me, it's wild.
Here's the real deal: the road to the summit is completely unpaved, and it's *seriously* steep with loose gravel that'll keep you on your toes. You'll need a sturdy 4x4 with solid clearance for this one—it's basically a service road originally built for cable car construction and ski slope maintenance. One of the highest in the country, no question.
The views? Absolutely exceptional. You're driving through classic high-altitude Alpine terrain, right on the edge of a glacier, with Valais's stunning panorama surrounding you the entire way. Just heads up: this road gets snowed in from late October through late June or early July, so plan accordingly.
Once you reach the summit, grab a bite at the Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer—they serve solid mountain fare like steaks, pastas, and sandwiches with killer views. Feeling ambitious? Take the cable car up to Mont-Fort (3,300m) for a jaw-dropping 360° panoramic view of the Alps that's absolutely worth the trip.
The numbers? The ascent stretches 6km (3.72 miles) with a brutal 668-meter elevation gain. You're looking at an average gradient of 11.13%, with sections hitting a punishing 27% gradient. It's intense, it's rewarding, and it's unforgettable.
Where is it?
How To Have The Ultimate Road Trip To Col des Gentianes is located in Switzerland (europe). Coordinates: 46.9630, 8.4149
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 6 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,906 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 46.9630, 8.4149
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