Crans-Montana: Bisse trails, lakes and Alpine panoramas

Crans-Montana is a municipality in the French-speaking part of the Canton of Valais, in the Sierre District. Small lakes and extensive spruce forests characterize the plateau. As a holiday destination, Crans-Montana originally developed around Montana and grew together with the resort of Crans-sur-Sierre, established in 1929. The double name Crans-Montana became known in tourist usage.

A funicular connects Sierre with Crans-Montana. Along a route of just over 4.2 kilometers, it climbs 927 meters; the journey takes 13 minutes. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable before setting off.

Hiking among bisses, lakes and high mountains

Crans-Montana’s hiking network includes 320 kilometers of marked trails. Routes in the region pass through vineyards and forests, by lakes, and up to Alpine peaks and glacier landscapes. The region’s eight bisses have a special historical significance: they have been regarded as symbols of the Valais landscape since the 14th century. The bisses offer gentle uphill walks through protected nature, with impressive panoramas.

One specific route is the Bisse du Ro. It leads to Lac Tseuzier and crosses a 120-meter-high footbridge. The Promenade des Lacs offers something different: this approximately ten-kilometer family-friendly themed trail loops around five important bodies of water—Étang-Long, Étang Grenon, and the lakes of Icogne, Chermignon and La Moubra. When planning, you can therefore choose between a single highlight along the way and a longer loop visiting several lakes.

For Alpine scenery, there is the Glacier de la Plaine Morte: at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, it offers a 360-degree panorama stretching from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. A path marked with cairns crosses part of the summit and ends at a cairn forest. This high-alpine scenery complements the landscapes encountered on regional hiking trails through vineyards and forests and along lakes.

Mountain biking and activities at the lakes

There are also a variety of mountain biking trails. Crans-Montana has more than 139 kilometers of certified and marked enduro and cross-country routes. The Crans-Montana Bike Park has three downhill trails graded black, red and blue; they are accessible by the Crans-Cry d’Er gondolas. When planning, you can therefore choose between designated enduro and cross-country routes and the bike park’s color-graded downhill trails.

The region’s lakes and ponds offer opportunities for pedal boating, stand-up paddleboarding and wakeboarding, as well as time at the beaches. If you’d like to include an exhibition alongside outdoor activities, the Fondation Suisse des Trains Miniatures has more than 1,300 models illustrating 150 years of Swiss railway history.

Culture, golf and the history of the resort

At the Hameau de Colombire, in the alpine pastures of Crans-Montana, there is a museum of life in the past. The site combines local cuisine with outdoor activities and experiences that showcase Alpine traditions and life at altitude. For a stay focused on regional culture, you can combine visits to the museum with the landscapes of the plateau.

The resort’s sporting profile also includes the Severiano Ballesteros course, which hosts the Omega European Masters every year. This is a recurring highlight, while museums, bisses and the history of the resort appeal to other interests. The resort’s history includes the opening of the Hôtel du Parc in 1892 and the Beauregard sanatorium in 1899. These historical milestones complement today’s variety of landscapes and activities with a glimpse into the resort’s development.

Discover more destinations: Chippis, Miège, Anniviers, Ayer, Lens, Vercorin, Saint-Jean Vs, Saint-Luc Vs

Return to the main travel overview: Sierre.