Vanil Noir Mountain
Highest peak of Canton Fribourg in Swiss Alps
The highest peak in Fribourg canton, Vanil Noir draws hikers for alpine meadows, limestone ridges and long ridge walks with views across the Prealps.
Vanil Noir at a Glance#
Address: Vanil Noir, Canton of Fribourg, Switzerland (mountain summit)
About Vanil Noir#
Vanil Noir is a mountain in the Swiss Prealps located on the border of the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud. It is the highest peak in the canton of Fribourg with an elevation of 2,389 metres.
The summit and its surrounding ridgelines are popular with hikers and mountaineers, with maintained trails leading to viewpoints over the surrounding Prealps. Terrain includes rocky summits and alpine pastures below the peak.
The mountain has long been used for seasonal alpine grazing and as a local landmark; modern use focuses on outdoor recreation and nature conservation within a multi-canton alpine landscape.
Vanil Noir stands within the Swiss Prealps, with access routes from valleys in Fribourg and Vaud; the area is mountainous with alpine terrain and pastures.
- Highest point of Fribourg: The mountain is the highest point in the canton of Fribourg and is often reached from mountain huts and trails on the Fribourg-Vaudois border.
How to Get to Vanil Noir#
Common access points are from villages such as Rougemont or Grandvillard. Regional buses reach trailheads in summer; hiking routes are marked but vary in difficulty-consult local maps.
Tips for Visiting Vanil Noir#
- Vanil Noir involves significant hiking-trail difficulty varies; proper mountain gear and navigation tools are recommended.
- Start early in summer to avoid afternoon storms common in the Alps and to secure daylight for long ascents.
- The summit offers cross-canton views; bring layers for cold winds even on warm days.
Best Time to Visit Vanil Noir#
Summer is ideal for hiking; avoid late-season storms and check mountain weather forecasts.
Weather & Climate near Vanil Noir#
Vanil Noir's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -8°C to 14°C. Abundant rainfall (1645 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - -2° | -11° | 153 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -8° - -2° | -12° | 154 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.4 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -7° - -1° | -10° | 134 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 6.0 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -5° - 1° | -7° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 5.2 m/s | 1.0 high | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 0° - 7° | -1° | 136 mm | overcast | 78% | 5.0 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 128 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 4.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Acceptable | 6° - 13° | 8° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.8 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 7° - 14° | 11° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 72% | 4.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 14.0h |
| September | Acceptable | 4° - 11° | 4° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 5.0 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 1° - 7° | -1° | 135 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 5.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -3° - 2° | -7° | 161 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -6° - -1° | -10° | 167 mm | overcast | 84% | 6.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
