When was Lac de Derborence formed?
Switzerland, europe
18.2 km
1,465 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Lac de Derborence, a stunning mountain lake chilling at 1,465m (4,806ft) in the Swiss canton of Valais. Getting there? Epic. The road, Route de Derborence, is this super narrow ribbon of asphalt snaking through the Lizerne valley for 18.2km (11.30 miles) from Conthey.
Word of warning: it's a wild ride. We're talking steep – some sections clock in at a 15% gradient! The road climbs a total of 1,133 meters, so you'll be gaining altitude fast. Expect hairpin turns galore and a good 30-45 minute drive if you don't stop (but you'll WANT to).
The highlight? Continuous tunnels, hand-carved with window openings, cling to the cliff face. It’s pretty dark in there, but those windows offer insane views… if you dare to look down. Because yeah, there are some serious 300m drop-offs.
This is no Sunday drive. The road is closed to vehicles over 3.4m, and it can get crazy busy, especially on weekends. And be careful where you stop to take photos – laybys are scarce, and the road is so narrow you won't be able to pass other cars in some places. Also, this beast is usually snowed in from around November to May/October. Lac de Derborence was actually created by massive landslides in the 1700s, which make it Switzerland’s youngest lake! Even so, it’s worth it for the views, the thrill, and the chance to see this hidden gem.
Road Details
- Country
- Switzerland
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 18.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,465 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
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