A lake circuit of around ten kilometres and 320 kilometres of marked hiking trails show two very different ways to experience nature on a trip to Crans-Montana. The region also offers Alpine landscapes, mountain biking and cultural experiences. As you plan your hotel choice, start by deciding what you want to focus on: a particular hiking route, the wider trail network, cycling or museums?
Hiking between bisses and lakes
Crans-Montana’s hiking network covers 320 kilometres of marked trails. The routes pass through vineyards and forests, skirt lakes and lead to Alpine peaks and glacial landscapes. The region’s bisses offer gentle uphill walks through protected nature, with impressive panoramas. Eight historic bisses have been landmarks of the Valais landscape since the 14th century. One specific route is the Bisse du Ro: it leads to Lac Tseuzier and crosses a 120-metre-high footbridge along the way.
The Promenade des Lacs offers a different kind of walk: this family-friendly themed trail is around ten kilometres long and circles five major bodies of water. These include Etang-Long, Etang Grenon, and the lakes of Icogne, Chermignon and La Moubra. The named bodies of water give the circuit a clear theme; its approximate length indicates the scale of the route.
Alpine landscapes and water
At almost 3,000 metres, the Glacier de la Plaine Morte offers a 360-degree Alpine panorama stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. On the Plaine Morte, a cairn-marked trail also crosses part of the summit and ends in a forest of cairns. A wide-ranging panoramic view and a route with a distinctive endpoint are two different ways to experience this landscape.
The lakes and ponds also offer various ways to plan your day, including pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding, as well as time at the beaches. These water activities add another way to experience the landscape, alongside hiking and high-mountain scenery.
Mountain biking and downhill
For mountain biking, the region offers more than 139 kilometres of certified, marked enduro and cross-country routes. The Bikepark de Crans-Montana also has three downhill trails rated black, red and blue. The Crans-Cry d’Er gondolas provide access to these trails. The different route types and three graded downhill trails offer a range of options for planning a mountain biking trip.
Culture and Alpine traditions
The Fondation Suisse des Trains Miniatures displays more than 1,300 models illustrating 150 years of Swiss railway history. The Hameau de Colombire, in the alpine pastures of Crans-Montana, offers a different cultural focus: a museum of life in the past. It also features local cuisine, outdoor activities and experiences that showcase Alpine traditions and life at altitude. This means railway history and past ways of life can be included as distinct themes in your travel plans.
Transport link and annual event
The funicular between Siders and Crans-Montana covers a little over 4.2 kilometres, climbing 927 metres in 13 minutes. This provides concrete details for planning your journey, including the route length, elevation gain and travel time. The Parcours Severiano Ballesteros hosts the Omega European Masters every year. If you want to plan your stay around this tournament, check the event dates before setting your travel dates.
Discover more destinations: Saint-Jean Vs, Veyras, Saint-Luc Vs, Chandolin, Sierre, Vercorin, Anniviers, Grône
For the main travel overview: Siders.
