Valais · Switzerland
Col du Sanetsch
Sion to Col du Sanetsch
Reputedly the most demanding climb in Valais, Sion up to the 2250 m col and Lac de Senin.
The Sanetsch road climbs hard out of Sion through vineyards and forest to a 2250 m col below the western Bernese Alps, ending at the Lac de Senin reservoir. It cannot be driven all the way over to Gsteig, so it is an out-and-back, but it is often called the toughest paved ascent in Valais with ramps near 14.5 percent. Higher up there is not much tarmac to work with and a lot of air beside it. Mind the steep narrow sections that demand low gears, the tunnels and rockfall zones on the climb, and the dead-end at the lake where you must turn back.
Where it runs16.9 mi · point to point
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Character
Corners
busiest around mile 12Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%507.5 – 2,250.7 mFrom the road
Points of interest3 stops
- Col du SanetschViewpoint17 mi in
- Pont du DiableLandmark6.4 mi in
- La CatherineLandmark0.3 mi in
Hazards
- Narrow exposed upper road
- Rockfall and dark tunnels
- Dead-end turnaround at the lake
Sources
“It's said to be the most demanding climb in Valais, with some ramps hitting a maximum gradient of 14.5%.”
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