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A fresh summer
Crans-Montana, from lake to lake
A map of the Haut-Plateau reveals no fewer than nine bright blue spots around Crans-Montana. Many of these lakes and ponds are surrounded by forests or chalets and reflect the Alpine skyline in their waters. In the summer, they’re the perfect place to cool down.
A city of mountains, a city of waters; Crans-Montana doesn’t have to choose, it has both! Clear, fresh water that sparkles in the southern sunlight, reflecting stunning summits that are crowned in rock or snow from between the water lilies and duckweed.
To begin exploring, we recommend the energetic “around the small lakes of Crans-Montana” bike route. A bit of good pedalling here and there — down mostly calm streets — is all you’ll need to visit five different bodies of water: Icogne Lake, Lake Grenon, Chermignon Lake, Etang Long, and Lake Moubra. Enjoy the wind in your hair as you complete the mildly hilly full loop, which is 10.1 km long with 183 m in altitude change.
The “Lakes Walk” hiking trail gets you even further, hitting all of Crans-Montana’s nine lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in a 13.2 km walking loop over peaceful paths that are just a bit more demanding (3.5-4 hours, 246 m of altitude change). This route notably includes the beautiful Miriouges Lake, surrounded by dense forests that offer a welcoming setting for picnics in the shade of the pine trees. There’s even a wood-burning barbeque, which — with a bit of luck — is perfect for grilling freshly-caught lake trout.
Placid lakes and lakes for the bold
While you can fish in many of the area’s waters, Etang Long is not meant for fishing. It’s a true high-altitude resort, found at 1,455 m, in the heart of Crans-Montana. On one side of the lake, there’s a cascading ever-green golf course and the Sporting pool, complete with grassy lawns and water slides. On the other side is a host of options: the Beach Club, beach volleyball, a playground for the kids, inflatable water games, and the Wake Park. On the water, two water-ski cableways and two ski jumps await, offering 12-minute sessions. From late May to mid-September, the Wake Academy offers water skiing and water boarding classes (in addition to foilboarding!) so you can try a new sport or hone your skills.
Another hotspot is on the southern banks of Lake Moubra: Crans-Montana’s only beach, complete with trees, lawn space for sunbathing, a playground, paddle boards, and paddle boats, available all summer long. In case of rain, the neighbouring Sports Center offers tennis, paddle tennis, pickleball, and a climbing wall among other activities. And for the aspiring (or experienced) acrobats, the Fun Forest adventure area includes nine obstacle courses between the trees, for ages two and up. Keep your eyes out for nesting squirrels as you go!
Finally, don’t forget the high-altitude lakes, like the Tseuzier (also known as Rawyl Dam), which sprawls majestically between Alpine pastures, forests, and mountain peaks. To get there, simply hop on the PostBus. The bus also goes to the legendary Bisse du Ro hiking trail (3.5-4.5 hrs), a spectacular but steep route that’s 11.3 km of pure bliss.
