Dent de Morcles Mountain
Swiss Alpine peak with prominent limestone summit
Limestone peak above the Rhône valley on the Vaud-Valais border offering established hiking and climbing routes; walkers use marked paths for panoramic views over the valley.
Dent de Morcles at a Glance#
Admission: Free (mountain - public access for hiking)
About Dent de Morcles#
Dent de Morcles is a mountain in the Swiss Alps located in the canton of Valais, noted for its steep rocky profile. It is a locally prominent limestone summit within the western Swiss highlands.
Routes on and around the peak are used for mountain walking, scrambling and alpine hiking, with views across nearby valleys and toward surrounding alpine peaks. The mountain is visible from lower Rhone valley approaches and serves as a landmark for nearby alpine villages.
The peak is a product of alpine uplift and limestone geology typical of this part of the Swiss Alps; traditional mountain pastures and seasonal grazing have been part of the area’s land use for centuries. Modern mountain guides and local trail networks now support recreational access.
Dent de Morcles sits within the western Swiss alpine region of Valais and is approached from nearby mountain villages and passes in the surrounding high country.
- Difficulty: Steep limestone faces and rocky ridges create exposed routes that are most suitable for experienced hikers and scramblers; weather can change rapidly at alpine elevations.
Best Time to Visit Dent de Morcles#
Go in summer (June-September) for the best hiking conditions; winter offers snow sports but requires alpine experience and equipment.
Weather & Climate near Dent de Morcles#
Dent de Morcles's climate is classified as Tundra - Tundra climate with cold summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -10°C to 10°C. Abundant rainfall (1541 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -9° - -4° | -14° | 146 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.0 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -10° - -4° | -15° | 142 mm | overcast | 87% | 7.0 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -10° - -4° | -15° | 144 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 6.8 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -8° - -3° | -13° | 132 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 6.1 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 127 mm | overcast | 79% | 5.7 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Poor | 1° - 6° | -1° | 109 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 4° - 9° | 3° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 5.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 5.1 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 99 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.8 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | -1° - 3° | -4° | 127 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 6.2 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -6° - -1° | -10° | 159 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.1 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -8° - -3° | -13° | 151 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.2 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
