Crans-Montana: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Crans Montana welcomes you in the heart of the Swiss Alps in the canton of Valais. Whether you prefer to travel by road bike, mountain bike, or e-bike, there is a suitable route for every taste. In winter, you can experience sunny skiing on 140 varied kilometers of slopes.
Table of contents
Crans-Montana - Must-see attractions
Cry d'Er
The Cry d'Er above Crans-Montana is known primarily for its spectacular view of Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Additionally, the trendy "Cry d'Er Club d'Altitude" with the restaurant "l'Ecureuil" is located on the mountain. Here, you can enjoy delicious specialties, end the evening with a drink, and listen to the captivating DJ beats. In early autumn, the Caprices music festival, known for its glass stage, takes place on the Cry d'Er.
Crans-Montana ski area
From Siders or Sion, you can reach Crans-Montana via winding access roads. In winter, 160 kilometers of slopes await you here, and in summer, you can ski on the southern edge of the Plaine-Morte glacier. Besides winter sports, the holiday resort has much to offer. Five picturesque bathing lakes, an extensive network of hiking trails, the famous cultural and congress center, and the Crans-sur-Sierre golf course provide variety. Additionally, the municipality is known for its numerous shopping opportunities, attracting people from home and abroad.
Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club
The Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, founded in 1906, is located at an altitude of 1,500 meters above the Rhône Valley and is the venue for the European Masters. While playing on the greens, one repeatedly catches sight of mighty four-thousand-meter peaks like Mont Blanc or the Matterhorn. The 18-hole course, named after its founder, the Spanish golf legend Severiano Ballesteros, is suitable for golfers of all skill levels. A handicap of 36 is required on the open course. The neighboring Jack Nicklaus Course has been repeatedly crowned the most beautiful Swiss 9-hole course.
Moubra Lake
The picturesque Lac de Moubra in the Valais Alps is a natural swimming lake with crystal-clear dark blue water and a beautiful beach. Right next to the lake are a sports and equestrian center as well as a spacious campsite. Around the Lac de la Moubra runs the so-called Squirrel Trail, which is popular due to its cute inhabitants. Bring some nuts to attract the squirrels. The Squirrel Trail begins at Place d'Ycoor in Crans-Montana.
Crans-Montana Village
Crans-Montana Village in Switzerland is a fascinating destination for nature lovers, but also for sports enthusiasts. On over 140 km of hiking trails, you can explore the magnificent mountain landscape characterized by glaciers, steep rocks, clear mountain lakes, and blooming flower meadows. In winter, the village transforms into a ski resort with perfectly groomed slopes and modern lifts. Whether skiing, snowboarding, winter hiking with snowshoes, or sledding - Crans-Montana Village has something for everyone.
Bisse of Ro
The Bisse du Ro is located in the Rhone Valley above the towns of Sierre and Sion. These historical canals were built by human hands and transported the precious water from the mountains to the fields and vineyards in the valley. A spectacular hike along the crystal-clear waterways, surrounded by gentle mountains and blooming meadows, allows you to immerse yourself in the past. A highlight along the way is the 120-meter-long suspension bridge at a height of 70 meters.
Crans-Montana - Secret spots
Pierre Arnaud Foundation
The Fondation Pierre Arnaud was established in 2013 as an expression of dialogue between Swiss and European art. The two-story building in Lens near Crans-Montana in the canton of Valais offers around 1,000 square meters of exhibition space. The facade, clad with 84 photovoltaic glass modules, reflects the idyllic mountain landscape.
Tsittoret Water Channel
The Bisse du Tsittoret is a water channel in Crans-Montana. The traditional water conduit is fed by the Tièche, the boundary stream between the two Valais language regions. From June to September, the water channel is particularly suitable for a hike, during which you can let your gaze wander over the four-thousand-meter peaks of the Val d'Anniviers.
Miriouges Pond
Surrounded by dense pine forests, the mountain lake Lac des Miriouges is idyllically located above the Valais winter sports resort of Crans-Montana. A hiking trail runs along the shore of the lake, perfect for a hike with the whole family. You can take a detour into the forest or rest at the picnic area.
Lake Icogne
The Lac d'Icogne reservoir sits at an altitude of 1,417 m above the winter sports resort of Crans-Montana in the Valais Alps. It was created in 1963 and is fed by the Partichioux mountain stream. Explore the lake on a circular hike and then embark on a half-hour hike to the lower-lying Lac des Miriouges.
Crans-Montana - In 3 days
Day 1
After arriving and taking a short refreshment break, you start your first excursions into the Valais mountain world. Around Crans-Montana, there is a network of hiking trails stretching 320 km. Leisurely hikes and sporty tours lead from spring to autumn through shady forests and past lush alpine meadows. Themed hiking trails like the 2 km long Squirrel Trail are well-suited for families, and there is a good chance of encountering the cute forest dwellers along the way. Adrenaline junkies can participate in a glacier hike under professional guidance in winter. A walk on the Lantern Trail is a magical end to a winter evening on vacation with the whole family. Countless lanterns illuminate the 2 km long path around the holiday resort. They remind of "The Shepherd and the Star Bella Lui," a legend from Crans-Montana, according to which the bright star showed the shepherd the way home.
Day 2
The second day starts with a trip to Lake Moubra on the outskirts of Crans-Montana. Relax with a picnic on the shore with a view of the Alps. The sporty ones explore the lake on a stand-up paddleboard or a pedal boat ride or play a round of beach volleyball on the shore. Head up high in the Fun Forest adventure park on the south shore. Balance on climbing ladders and along wobbly bridges at dizzying heights on courses with varying difficulty levels among the treetops. On rainy days and in winter, the climbing hall located by the lake is the perfect destination for sporty fun with the whole family. Lake Moubra is also the starting point for a 12 km lake hike, on which you pass other small lakes on the plateau around Crans-Montana. End the evening at the chic casino of the resort. With a bit of luck, you can boost your holiday budget at the roulette or slot machines.
Day 3
Start the third day on the skis. The Crans-Montana ski area includes 140 kilometers of slopes and offers a good mix of easy and intermediate slopes. Some runs with a challenging profile complement the fun on the slopes. Here you can ski and snowboard down the slopes of the Valais Alps at up to 3,000 meters altitude. Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can enjoy winter cross-country skiing on 20 km of marked trails. In the warm season, you can explore the summit world on two wheels. A classic is action-packed mountain bike tours on over 250 km of trails around your holiday resort. For families or beginners on the MTB, the Family Forest Loop in the Moubra Forest with its skill course is the perfect introduction. In addition to MTB tours, the region around Crans-Montana offers fantastic opportunities for extended road bike tours. The 15 km long Panorama de Crans-Montana route, which leads as a sporting challenge over the Col de Crans-Montana pass, is very scenic.