The route from Sion to Derborence is spectacular, demanding, and dangerous.Photo: André Breutel/bus-bild.de
Only nine drivers in Switzerland dare to take on the most dangerous postbus route in the country. It runs through Valais from Sion via Conthey, Erde, and Aven to Derborence.
19.09.2024, 10:2819.09.2024, 14:25
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Spectacular, demanding, dangerous.
This is how the postbus route 331 from Sion to Derborence is described in a ZDF article, and even the usually more sober “NZZ” recently reported on the “coolest postbus route in Switzerland”.
And indeed: The route, which has been operated by PostAuto since 1959, is not for the faint-hearted. It takes about an hour to drive along massive rock walls, sometimes just a few centimeters away from the abyss.
The Postbus 331 journey from Sion to Derborence takes just over an hour. Photo: Screenshot Google Maps
During the journey, it is strictly forbidden to talk to the driver as he needs absolute concentration. Only the most experienced drivers with the strongest nerves dare to take on the route. According to the “NZZ”, there are currently only nine people in Switzerland who are qualified.
One of these nine is Josy Germanier. The postbus driver has been servicing the route for 31 years and is aware of the risks: “My biggest challenge is to get people safely to their destination,” he told ZDF.
Not much space, little light in the tunnels: Postbus driver Germanier on the route from Sion to Derborence.Photo: Screenshot ZDF
There is not much space on the route; the road is often less than two lanes wide. The horn is also in constant use. Additionally, rockfalls are a constant threat. Especially in fog, the journey can become a huge challenge.
Most passengers travel to Derborence to hike or to enjoy the Swiss mountains at Lac de Derborence. In Derborence, one of the last Swiss primeval forests is also located: An area of about 25 hectares is home to thousands of silver firs, some over 40 meters tall and up to 450 years old.
The Lac de Derborence.Photo: KEYSTONE
Derborence became famous partly due to the book of the same name by Swiss writer Charles Ferdinand Ramuz, who is considered one of the most important representatives of Swiss literature in the French language. “Derborence” tells the story of the rockslide in the Derborence valley in 1714 and was made into a film in 1985. Ramuz was also prominently depicted on the old Swiss 200-franc note.
More about Derborence and the spectacular postbus route:
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Video: watson
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