Tour d'Aï Mountain
Prominent Alpine peak popular with hikers, Vaud
A sharp limestone peak above the Vaud valley, Tour d'Aï provides marked trails and exposed ridgelines; hikers and alpine climbers use the summit for panoramic views toward the Bernese Alps.
Tour d'Aï at a Glance#
About Tour d'Aï#
Tour d’Aï is a prominent mountain peak in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland, located above Villars-sur-Ollon and the Col de la Croix. Its summit reaches approximately 2,331 metres and it is a well-known local hiking and climbing objective.
The peak has long been part of local alpine use and recreation and features in regional guidebooks and mountaineering routes developed in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its name and profile are established elements of the Villars and Diablerets mountain landscape.
Tour d’Aï sits above the resort areas of Villars and is accessible from the Col de la Croix in Vaud. The peak is within the western Swiss Alps and forms part of the ridge running near the Diablerets massif.
- Routes and difficulty: The summit is commonly reached by marked hiking trails from Col de la Croix and from Villars-sur-Ollon, with the ascent taking a few hours from the nearest roadheads
- Climbing and views: The steep north face is popular with experienced climbers, while the summit offers panoramic views of the Rhône valley and surrounding Alps
How to Get to Tour d'Aï#
Tour d’Aï is reachable from the Vaud region. Typical approaches begin from mountain villages accessible by regional roads; local alpine club huts and trailheads are signposted from larger towns like Bex.
Tips for Visiting Tour d'Aï#
- If climbing the tower, wear a jacket-the summit can be windy even on fair days.
- Bring binoculars; the panoramic views over Vaud and the Alps reward close study.
- Combine the visit with nearby hiking routes and the wine villages to the south for a full day out.
Best Time to Visit Tour d'Aï#
Summer and early autumn provide the best combination of access and views; winter may restrict paths though snowscapes can be beautiful.
Weather & Climate near Tour d'Aï#
Tour d'Aï's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -7°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1718 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - -1° | -10° | 162 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -7° - -1° | -11° | 163 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.7 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -6° - 0° | -9° | 143 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 5.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -4° - 2° | -6° | 142 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.8 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 1° - 7° | 4° | 140 mm | overcast | 78% | 4.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 4° | 130 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.5 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 10° | 115 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.4 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.2 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 5° - 11° | 5° | 111 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 4.5 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 2° - 7° | 0° | 143 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -6° | 173 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 0° | -9° | 178 mm | overcast | 84% | 5.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
