8 notable places within an hour's drive.
mountain pass
Sanetsch Pass
A spectacular dead-end climb from the Rhône vineyards above Sion past the Tsanfleuron glacier to 2,242 m; because no through road exists it stays near-empty, and only a cable car continues to Gsteig.
12 km · about 20 min drive
mountain pass
Col du Pillon
A 1,546 m pass in the Vaud Alps between Les Diablerets and Gstaad, the gateway to the Glacier 3000 cable car and a smooth, scenic link on any western Swiss Alps road trip.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Grande Dixence Dam
At 285 m the world's tallest gravity dam seals the Val d'Hérémence with more concrete than the Great Pyramid; a cable car rides to the crest, with guided gallery tours and a zip line across the wall.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Grimentz
Val d'Anniviers village at 1,620 m where sun-blackened larch chalets, some from the 15th century, sag under prize-winning geranium displays; the road continues up to the glacier lake of Moiry.
22 km · about 25 min drive
castle
Château de Chillon
A medieval island castle on the shores of Lake Geneva, the most visited historic monument in Switzerland.
36 km · about 40 min drive
landmark
Montreux
The 'Pearl of the Swiss Riviera' on Lake Geneva, home to the famous jazz festival, Freddie Mercury's statue, and nearby Château de Chillon.
38 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Matterhorn
Iconic pyramid-shaped peak rising to 4,478 metres on the Swiss-Italian border, one of the most recognizable mountains in the world.
39 km · about 45 min drive
mountain pass
Great St Bernard Pass
At 2,469 m, this ancient pass between Switzerland and Italy shelters the hospice that bred St Bernard rescue dogs; travellers have crossed here since Roman times, Napoleon among them.
41 km · about 45 min drive