La DôleLa Dôle at a Glance
About La Dôle
La Dôle is a mountain in the Swiss Jura within the canton of Vaud, with a summit at about 1,677 metres above sea level. It is a prominent local high point offering long-distance views across the region.
The summit and surrounding slopes provide panoramic viewpoints over Lake Geneva, the Alps and the French Jura and are used for hiking, cross-country skiing and nature observation. A communications mast and weather station occupy parts of the summit area.
The mountain has long been used for local recreation and scientific observation; infrastructure for meteorological and communications purposes was added in the 20th century. The area has developed as a managed outdoor recreation zone.
La Dôle sits in the Jura range in the western part of Switzerland’s Vaud canton, close to the French border and within reach of the Lake Geneva region.
- Summit elevation and views: Summit elevation is approximately 1,677 metres, and it is a popular point for panoramic views over Lake Geneva and the Alps on clear days.
- Outdoor activities: Facilities support hiking in summer and cross-country skiing in winter, with marked trails and local ski areas on the Jura slopes.
Best Time to Visit La Dôle
Visit in summer for hiking and clear panoramas; winter appeals to snow sports but requires caution.
Weather & Climate near La Dôle
La Dôle's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 18°C. Abundant rainfall (1581 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 0° | -8° | 145 mm | overcast | 88% | 4.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -5° - 0° | -8° | 141 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -4° - 3° | -5° | 120 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.3 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -2° - 6° | -2° | 122 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.0 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 3° - 11° | 4° | 128 mm | overcast | 78% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 133 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.7 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.5 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 112 mm | partly cloudy | 70% | 3.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.6 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 3° - 9° | 3° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -2° - 4° | -4° | 155 mm | overcast | 86% | 4.4 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 1° | -7° | 159 mm | overcast | 87% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to La Dôle
By car, follow autoroutes toward Nyon and head north into the Jura via the A1 and local roads to Saint-Cergue/La Dôle. Public transport: take a train to Nyon, then regional bus to St-Cergue; from there several marked trails and a small local lift lead up toward the summit region.
Tips for Visiting La Dôle
- On clear days the ridge path offers views of Lake Geneva and the Jura - aim for late afternoon light.
- The summit is exposed: pack layers even in summer and watch for sudden fog.
- There are several marked routes from nearby passes; the trail from Le Brassus is quieter than from the roadhead near Montricher.