Diablerets

Diablerets
The 2,000-metre-high north side of the Diablerets
Highest point
PeakSommet des Diablerets
Elevation3,216 m (10,551 ft)
Prominence975 m (3,199 ft)[1]
Parent peakFinsteraarhorn
Isolation14.3 km (8.9 mi)[2]
ListingCanton high point,
Alpine mountains above 3000 m
Coordinates46°18′14″N 7°11′21″E / 46.30389°N 7.18917°E / 46.30389; 7.18917
Naming
Native nameLes Diablerets (French)
English translationThe Abode of Devils
Geography
Diablerets is located in Switzerland
Diablerets
Diablerets
Location in Switzerland
CountrySwitzerland
CantonsVaud, Valais and Bern
Parent rangeBernese Alps
Topo mapSwiss Federal Office of Topography swisstopo
Geology
Mountain typeLimestone

The Diablerets (French: Les Diablerets; lit. "the abode of devils")[3] are a huge ice-covered mountain massif of the Alps, culminating at the Sommet des Diablerets (VS) at 3,216 metres (10,551 ft) above sea level and almost straddling the border between the Swiss cantons of Vaud (VD) and Valais (VS). The northeastern part of the massif stretches also into the canton of Bern (BE).

The Diablerets massif, which consists of several peaks, extends for about 10 kilometres near the western extremity of the Bernese Alps, between the two deep passes, the Cheville Pass (2,038 m (6,686 ft)) right below the main summit to the south, and the Sanetsch/Sénin Pass (2,252 m (7,388 ft)) to the east. The mountain is covered by two distinct glaciers, the largest being the Tsanfleuron Glacier and the highest being the Diablerets Glacier.

The main summit (officially referred to as Sommet des Diablerets) is the highest point in the massif and the sud-west summit is the highest point in the canton of Vaud. In the latter canton, the mountain has given its name to the nearby village and resort of Les Diablerets, which lies on the north side of the massif. On the south side (Valais) the mountain overlooks the hamlet and valley of Derborence.

  1. ^ Retrieved from the Swisstopo topographic maps. The key col is the Sanetsch Pass (2,242 m).
  2. ^ Retrieved from Google Earth. The nearest point of higher elevation is southwest of the Wildhorn.
  3. ^ Beattie, Andrew (2006). The Alps: A Cultural History. Oxford University Press. p. 109. ISBN 9780195309553. Retrieved 2014-11-13.