Mauvoisin Dam and Lake
A colossal arch dam and stunning alpine lake in Switzerland, offering breathtaking views and adventurous tunnel trails.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Clear skies, ideal for hiking
Mauvoisin Dam and Lake
Best Time
Clear skies, ideal for hiking
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A colossal arch dam and stunning alpine lake in Switzerland, offering breathtaking views and adventurous tunnel trails.
"The dam at Lac de Mauvoisin is amazing, the view was worth the scary drive up!"
Free Bus Access
Use your Verbier Play Card for free public bus rides to the dam. Accommodates bikes too! :bus:
Prepare for Tunnels
Bring a light for dark, damp tunnels on the lake trail. It's eerie but amazing! :flashlight:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Mauvoisin Dam
Valais, Switzerland
One of Europe's tallest arch dams, offering breathtaking views and a testament to engineering marvel. A must-see for its scale and dramatic setting.
Lac de Mauvoisin
Reservoir behind the dam
A stunning alpine lake with turquoise waters, perfect for hiking and biking. The surrounding landscape is equally impressive.
Tunnel Trails
Around Lac de Mauvoisin
Experience the thrill of walking or biking through dark, damp tunnels carved into the mountainside, adding an adventurous element to your visit.
Waterfall Cascade
Into Lac de Mauvoisin
Witness a powerful waterfall flowing from the mountain into the lake, creating a mesmerizing natural spectacle.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Accessing Mauvoisin Dam
Exploring the Dam and Lake
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Free Bus Access
Use your Verbier Play Card for free public bus rides to the dam. Accommodates bikes too! :bus:
Prepare for Tunnels
Bring a light for dark, damp tunnels on the lake trail. It's eerie but amazing! :flashlight:
Lake Trail Challenge
The 17km lake trail has 1700m elevation gain. Be ready for a serious hike or bike ride! :athletic_shoe:
Scenic Drive
The bus ride up is 'scary' but offers incredible views. Enjoy the journey! :mountain:
Tips
from all over the internet
Free Bus Access
Use your Verbier Play Card for free public bus rides to the dam. Accommodates bikes too! :bus:
Prepare for Tunnels
Bring a light for dark, damp tunnels on the lake trail. It's eerie but amazing! :flashlight:
Lake Trail Challenge
The 17km lake trail has 1700m elevation gain. Be ready for a serious hike or bike ride! :athletic_shoe:
Scenic Drive
The bus ride up is 'scary' but offers incredible views. Enjoy the journey! :mountain:
Family Friendly
The dam area is fully secured, making it a safe spot for families. :children_crossing:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise the spectacular and breathtaking views of the Mauvoisin Dam and the stunning turquoise waters of Lac de Mauvoisin. The unique experience of hiking or biking through the dam's tunnels is a major highlight, though the challenging elevation gain of the lake trail is noted. The scenic bus journey up is also a memorable part of the visit.
"The Barrage de Mauvoisin (Mauvoisin Dam) is a remarkable hydroelectric dam. It is part of the Grande Dixence hydroelectric complex, which is one of the largest and most significant in Europe.
The dam stands at 180 m tall, making it one of the tallest arch dams in Europe.
The Barrage de Mauvoisin harness the water of the Dranse de Bagnes river. The stored water is used to produce hydroelectric power, contributing to Switzerland's renewable energy supply."
Iryna Kabanchuk
"This is an absolutely spectacular site to be seen. If you’re in Verbier or Le Chable, take the city bus out to Mauvoisin to check this out. The city bus is free with the Verbier play card (available from your accommodation) and the bus does accommodate bikes (if you’re shorter than me 5’4” you’ll need a step stool or ask someone to help you).
If you’re a mountain biker, you can ride around the lake (or as a hiker you can hike it) but note the short route is 17kms long and 1700m of elevation so be prepared.
Another really cool thing about this dam is that the walking/riding trail winds in and out of tunnels. The tunnels are dark, cold, water is dripping so it’s eerie yet breathtaking.
The waterfall from the inside of the mountain out into the lake is loud yet calming. It’s a great feature to this already wild site.
Lots of information about the dam is available throughout the main area as well as artwork.
Safe place for families as it’s fully secured (you cannot fall into the water or over the dam).
I would recommend this tourist attraction!"
Leanne Taylor
"Go see the dam at Lac de Mauvoisin is a reservoir in the canton of Valais it’s amazing, the view was worth the scary drive up in a public Post Bus, we took our bikes back down to Lourtier after viewing the dam and beautiful mountains and valleys. Worth the visit 🇨🇭
From Wikipedia;
Lac de Mauvoisin is a reservoir in the canton of Valais, Switzerland. The reservoir is formed by the Mauvoisin Dam, which is 250 m high. The dam is currently the 11th highest in the world, and the 6th highest arch dam. It was built in 1951–1957, and raised by 13.5 m in 1991. Wikipedia
Surface elevation: 1,961 m
Area: 208 ha
Length: 4.9 km
Catchment area: 113.5 km²
Catchment area: 113.5 km²"
Peter Classen
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most common way is by public Post Bus from Verbier or Le Chable. The ride is scenic but can be steep and winding. A Verbier Play Card, available from your accommodation, offers free bus travel. The bus also has space for bicycles if you plan to cycle back down.
Travelers describe the drive up to Mauvoisin Dam as 'scary' due to the narrow, winding roads and steep inclines. However, the views are spectacular and many find it worth the journey.
Yes, the public Post Bus that travels to Mauvoisin Dam accommodates bicycles. This is a popular option for those who want to cycle around the lake or back down to Lourtier.
You can hike or mountain bike around Lac de Mauvoisin. The trail is approximately 17 kilometers long and involves significant elevation gain (around 1700m), so be prepared for a challenging adventure.
Consider purchasing a Verbier Play Card for free bus access. If you're bringing a bike, be aware that some travelers mention needing a step stool or assistance to load it onto the bus.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There are no specific entry tickets required to visit the Mauvoisin Dam and the surrounding lake area. Access to the dam itself and the public areas around Lac de Mauvoisin is generally free.
The dam and its surrounding public areas are typically accessible year-round during daylight hours. However, it's always a good idea to check local conditions, especially during winter months, as access might be limited due to snow.
No, the walking and biking trails around Lac de Mauvoisin are free to access. The primary costs associated with visiting would be transportation to the dam.
The dam area is secured and designed for public access. Visitors are advised to stay within designated paths and follow any posted safety guidelines. Falling into the water or over the dam is prevented by safety measures.
Yes, the Verbier Play Card provides free access to the public bus service that travels to Mauvoisin Dam, making it a cost-effective way to reach the attraction.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can admire the impressive scale of the dam, walk or bike the 17km trail around Lac de Mauvoisin (which includes tunnels), and enjoy the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains. There's also information about the dam and artwork on display.
Yes, the dam area is described as a safe place for families as it is fully secured, preventing accidental falls into the water or over the dam.
The trail is about 17km long with 1700m of elevation gain. It winds in and out of dark, cold, and sometimes dripping tunnels, offering an eerie yet breathtaking experience.
While the lake is beautiful, swimming is generally not recommended due to the cold water temperatures and the nature of a reservoir. The focus is more on the scenic views and hiking/biking opportunities.
Expect spectacular views of the massive arch dam, the turquoise waters of Lac de Mauvoisin, and the surrounding Swiss Alps. The waterfall cascading into the lake is also a significant visual highlight.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the immense scale of the dam from various angles, the vibrant turquoise of Lac de Mauvoisin, and the dramatic mountain landscapes. The tunnels along the lake trail also offer unique photographic subjects. 
While drone footage can capture stunning aerial views of dams and lakes, always check local regulations regarding drone usage in Switzerland and specific areas like national parks or near infrastructure.
Late afternoon, during the golden hour, offers beautiful lighting for photography, enhancing the colors of the lake and mountains. Sunrise can also provide dramatic light.
The dam itself provides a primary viewpoint. As you explore the lake trail, various points offer different perspectives of the water, dam, and surrounding peaks.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the vastness of the dam and landscape. A sturdy tripod can be useful for low-light conditions in tunnels or for capturing smooth water from the waterfall.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚴♀️ Adventure Seekers & Cyclists
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Don't miss the chance to photograph the unique tunnel sections of the lake trail; their moody atmosphere and textures create compelling shots. Consider bringing a tripod for low-light conditions within the tunnels or to capture the flow of the waterfall. Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Engineering Marvel: The Mauvoisin Dam
Visitors can learn about the dam's construction and function through information panels displayed in the main area. The dam's design is not only functional but also aesthetically striking against the rugged mountain backdrop. The engineering behind such a structure is a testament to the ingenuity required to manage and utilize natural resources in challenging environments.
Exploring Lac de Mauvoisin: Trails and Tunnels
A unique and memorable aspect of the trail is its passage through numerous tunnels. These tunnels, carved directly into the mountainside, are often dark, cold, and damp, with water dripping from the rock. This creates an eerie yet breathtaking atmosphere, adding an adventurous dimension to the exploration of the lake. The contrast between the natural beauty of the lake and the man-made tunnels provides a truly distinctive experience for visitors.
Beyond the tunnels, the trail offers continuous scenic views of the turquoise lake waters and the surrounding alpine peaks. The journey is as much about the experience of traversing the landscape as it is about reaching a destination. It's an opportunity to immerse oneself in the rugged beauty of the Swiss Alps while engaging in a memorable outdoor adventure.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit