Driving the wild Col des Mines
Col des Mines is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.327m (7,634ft) above the sea level, located in the district of Entremont in the canton of Valais, Switzerland.
The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s not an easy drive. Accessibility is largely limited to the summer season. It is not generally snow-free until late June or even July in some years. The trail to the top starts from Verbier. It’s very steep with sudden loose-gravel breaks. The pass is called Col des Mines because in 1800’s a deposit of 60% lead / 40% silver was found here. It was exhausted in 1861, but the name remains.
Pic: Marcel Gyger