The dam wall is 200 meters thick at its base and 15 meters thick at its crest.
Construction of the current dam took place between 1953 and 1961.
The structure weighs approximately 15 million tonnes.
Water from the reservoir is fed into four power stations, contributing significantly to Swiss electricity production.
The dam is designed to withstand the immense water pressure of the Lac des Dix, which is the largest reservoir in the Alps.
Grande Dixence is the world's tallest gravity dam, standing at 285 meters high. The structure contains approximately 6 million cubic meters of concrete. It is situated at the head of the Val d'Hérémence in the Swiss Alps, at an altitude of 2,364 meters. The dam impounds the Lac des Dix reservoir, which holds 400 million cubic meters of water. Visitors can access the dam crest via a cable car that ascends from the base. A zip line allows visitors to traverse the area above the dam site. The facility includes a public exhibition space and guided tours inside the dam wall. It functions as a key component of the regional hydroelectric power grid.
The path leading up to the dam crest provides the best vantage point for capturing the scale of the wall against the reservoir.
Bring windproof clothing as temperatures at the dam crest are significantly lower than in the valley.
Check the official website for zip line availability, as it is weather-dependent.
Wear sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes to navigate the paths around the dam crest safely.
Attempting to hike to the site without checking current trail conditions or weather forecasts.
The site is typically accessible only during the summer season, usually closing in late autumn due to snow conditions.
Stay within marked pedestrian areas and do not climb on the dam's outer concrete structures.
