Hiking in Crans-Montana: 10 trails tested

Crans-Montana is first and foremost a sunny plateau between 1,500 and 1,700 metres, perched above the Rhône valley, with the Valais Alps facing you. In short, it is a great place to walk. We have selected ten tested itineraries, from family lake loops to ridge climbs, each one with the level, approximate duration, elevation gain and start point. The idea: so you can plan your days without spending an hour comparing trail sheets.

The trail network around Crans-Montana

We are talking about roughly 250 km of waymarked trails across the plateau and its surroundings. Everything is mapped by Suisse Tourisme with the standard yellow waymarking (diamond shape, timings in hours and minutes, destination names). The signposts almost always show several options: a shortcut going down, a higher variant, a longer loop. Getting lost is rare — just follow the signs and keep an eye on the map.

A small tip before setting off: download the Swiss Topo app (free) or use suissemobile.ch to view the routes. Offline, it can save your day.

Easy level: 3 itineraries to get started

Tour of Lake Grenon

• Level: easy
• Duration: ~1 h
• Elevation gain: almost none
• Start point: Montana centre, Lake Grenon

This is the emblematic walk of Crans-Montana, accessible all year round outside the snow season. The trail loops fully around the lake on a flat, wide path, perfect with a pushchair or young children. You will pass benches, a few wooden pontoons, and an open viewpoint over the Alps to the south. You can extend the walk by linking up with Lake Moubra right next door.

Bisse du Ro

• Level: easy to moderate (not recommended if you suffer from vertigo)
• Duration: ~2 h
• Elevation gain: low (horizontal trail)
• Start point: Plans-Mayens

The bisses are historic irrigation channels carved into the rock to bring glacier water down to the villages. The trail follows the channel along the cliffside — it is stunning, very well maintained, but a few sections are exposed (wooden walkways suspended over the void). If you have vertigo, better to choose another route. For everyone else, it is a calm, cool walk, ideal in hot weather.

Aminona Ponds

• Level: easy
• Duration: ~1 h 30
• Elevation gain: ~150 m
• Start point: Aminona

A loop through the undergrowth linking several small alpine ponds, with very little elevation gain. The trail is shaded, which makes it a good option on heatwave days. You walk on loose earth and roots — closed shoes recommended. Children love it, there is plenty to spot (dragonflies, frogs, sometimes a squirrel).

Intermediate level: 4 itineraries to climb a little

Cry d’Er from Aminona

• Level: intermediate
• Duration: ~3 h round trip
• Elevation gain: ~500 m
• Start point: Aminona (cable car base station)

A steady climb through the forest then onto the alpine pasture, up to the Cry d’Er area, the central hub of the ski domain. Open view over the chain of the Valais Alps to the south (Matterhorn, Weisshorn, Dent Blanche in clear weather). You can take the cable car on the way down to save your knees. A mountain refreshment hut lets you take a break before heading back down.

Bisse de Vermala

• Level: intermediate (long but not steep)
• Duration: ~2 h 30
• Elevation gain: ~200 m
• Start point: Plans-Mayens

The big brother of the Bisse du Ro, in a longer and more sun-exposed version. The route follows the channel as a panoramic balcony over the valley. No exposed sections here, it is wide and comfortable. You get a clear view of Sion, Lake Géronde on the Sierre side, and the whole chain opposite. Best done in the morning or late afternoon in summer — there is no shade.

Petit Mont Bonvin from Plans-Mayens

• Level: intermediate
• Duration: ~3 h
• Elevation gain: ~600 m
• Start point: Plans-Mayens

A real ascent, but with no technical difficulty. The trail climbs through the larches then opens onto the alpine pastures, with a view that widens as you gain altitude. The summit of Petit Mont Bonvin offers a 360° panorama over the Bernese Alps to the north and the Valais Alps to the south. Allow two hours up and one hour down, depending on your pace.

Plaine Morte

• Level: intermediate (weather critical)
• Duration: ~2 h on site
• Elevation gain: none (flat walk on the glacier)
• Start point: cable car from Aminona or Violettes

Not a hike in the classic sense, but a one-of-a-kind experience. You take the cable car up to 2,927 m, and you walk on the Plaine Morte glacier, which is flat as a plate (hence the name). Spectacular view over the Bernese Alps and the Wildstrubel. Only to be done in stable, fair weather — the glacier is exposed, and fog can roll in within minutes. Waterproof shoes and sunglasses are essential.

Difficult level: 3 itineraries for strong legs

Pas de Maimbré

• Level: difficult
• Duration: ~5 h round trip
• Elevation gain: ~1,000 m
• Start point: Anzère or Plans-Mayens via the heights

A big day out. The Pas de Maimbré is a pass at 2,362 m that opens onto an exceptional panorama, with the Wildhorn and the Rawil range. The climb is steady but long, the trail is well marked. Plan for water (at least 1.5 L per person) and a packed lunch. There is a mountain hut along the way for a break.

Mont Bonvin via the ridge

• Level: difficult (technical at the end)
• Duration: ~6 h
• Elevation gain: ~1,100 m
• Start point: Plans-Mayens

The serious version of the Mont Bonvin ascent. The first few hours follow the classic trail, then you branch off onto the ridge, where the final metres are technical: cabled sections, rock, exposure. Reserved for experienced hikers, in dry weather, and preferably not solo. The reward at the summit is worth the effort — you see the Valais Alps, the Bernese Alps and the whole Rhône valley in a single sweep.

Tour of the Six Lakes

• Level: difficult (length)
• Duration: ~6 to 7 h
• Elevation gain: ~800 m cumulative
• Start point: cable car from Crans, then high-altitude loop

A long loop linking six high-altitude lakes perched above the ski domain. No technical difficulty, but it is long and you need to keep up the pace over the distance. Each lake has its own character (colour, size, setting), and the landscape changes throughout the day. Set off early, take a generous picnic, and keep some margin for photo stops — there will be plenty.

Practical tips before you set off

A few points that make the difference between a great day and a tough one:

• Topo map: download Swiss Topo or use suissemobile.ch before leaving. Mobile coverage is not guaranteed at altitude.
• Water: 1 to 1.5 L per person for half a day, 2 L minimum for a long hike. Alpine fountains exist but are not always drinkable.
• Weather: it changes fast in the mountains. Check the night before and in the morning (MétéoSuisse, free app). A 3 pm thunderstorm in summer is standard fare.
• Shoes: high-tops for anything over 2 h. Trainers are fine for lake walks.
• Sun protection: at 2,000 m, the sun bites. Cream, sunglasses, cap, even on overcast days.
• Cable cars: use them to save on elevation. Several hikes can be done up by cable car and down on foot (or vice versa), which opens the door to those less trained.

Dog-friendly trails

Most of the itineraries listed can be done with a dog on a lead, especially on the plateau (Lake Grenon, Aminona ponds, bisses). At altitude, watch out for alpine herds and livestock guardian dogs (patous), which are active from mid-June to mid-September. We have written a dedicated article with good practices, recommended trails and pet-friendly accommodation: see Crans-Montana with your dog.

Ideas for children

For families with young children, it is best to favour the easy itineraries: tour of Lake Grenon (1 h, flat, pushchair-friendly), Aminona ponds (undergrowth, little elevation), or a partial descent by cable car after a mechanical climb. Older children (8-10) can follow on short intermediate itineraries such as Cry d’Er, provided you plan breaks and a serious snack.

For more summer activity ideas beyond hiking (swimming lakes, cycling, rope courses, etc.), see our article What to do in Crans-Montana in summer.

In short

• 250 km of waymarked trails across Crans-Montana and surroundings, yellow Suisse Tourisme signage.
• Easy: tour of Lake Grenon, Bisse du Ro (unless you have vertigo), Aminona ponds.
• Intermediate: Cry d’Er, Bisse de Vermala, Petit Mont Bonvin, Plaine Morte (fair weather).
• Difficult: Pas de Maimbré, Mont Bonvin via the ridge (technical), Tour of the Six Lakes (long).
• Essential tools: Swiss Topo + MétéoSuisse, water, suitable shoes.

If you are looking for accommodation well placed to explore these itineraries (close to a cable car base, with a garden to recover in the evening), have a look at our rentals with a garden in Crans-Montana or browse all our listings.