Part of Switzerland › Valais
Crans-Montana is located on a sunny terrace at an altitude of about 1,500 meters, right above Sierre in the Rhone Valley. Across the valley are the 4,000-meter peaks of the Valais, and that panorama can be seen from almost every balcony. In winter it is a well-known ski resort, in summer a cycling destination that still remains little known to many people. We have been going there every year since 2021, and we keep coming back.
Two villages, one destination
Crans and Montana were once two separate villages, and they still have a small rivalry between them. Crans is a little more upscale, with the shopping street, the tourist office, and the golf course where the Omega European Masters is played every year. Montana is quieter. For cyclists, it doesn’t really matter: the hotels, the views, and the roads are the same. In the past, Crans-Montana was a health resort for people with lung problems, and the fresh mountain air is still there.
Why cycle in Crans-Montana?
- Many routes. According to Crans-Montana Tourism, there are more than 360 kilometers of road bike routes, created by former Tour rider Steve Morabito: 13 routes from the valley to the peaks.
- Centrally located in Valais. You drive east towards Leukerbad, west towards Sion and the Sanetsch, and on the other side of the valley are the hydroelectric dams of Moiry, Dixence and Tseuzier.
- There's always a way back. If you’re up, you take the funicular from Sierre to the village. It takes twelve minutes, and your bike is allowed to go along.
- High test stage. Sleeping at 1,500 meters and training in the valley: that makes Crans-Montana ideal for those preparing for a granfondo or a cyclosportive.
First down, then up
One thing you should know: in Crans-Montana almost every ride starts with a descent and ends with a climb. The village is about 900 meters above the valley. Our introductory round shows that immediately: 28 kilometers, of which 12 kilometers are downhill and 12 kilometers climb back to the village via Lens, with 900 meters of elevation gain and sections up to 12 percent. Read the story about that first round.
The Col de Crans-Montana
The village’s col has a funny history. Officially, there was no col, so they invented one. But it is a real climb: from Sierre, 16 kilometers with about 1,200 meters of elevation gain, first winding between the vineyards and then along Mollens to Aminona. There you can choose: turn left to the hotel, or another 2.5 kilometers at 10 percent to the top at 1,800 meters. In 2023, a Giro stage finished here, after the Grand-Saint-Bernard. Read our story about the col.
Climbing around the village
- Col du Sanetsch. The region's best-kept secret. From Crans-Montana, you descend via Lens and Icogne and begin climbing in Savièse at 22 kilometers, with almost 11 percent of the climb already at the beginning. Our ride was 87 kilometers with 2,750 meters of elevation gain.
- Thyon 2000. Across the valley: From Vex, a distance of over 20 kilometers and almost 1,600 meters of elevation gain, with peaks of up to 15 percent. Our journey, including the climb back to the village: 80 kilometers and 2,700 meters of elevation gain.
- Derborence Lake. Ten west of Zion you drive through a canyon up to a lake between rock walls and pine trees. The last few hundred meters are unpaved. The journey back and forth is over 80 kilometers, covering over 2,500 meters of elevation gain.
- The hydroelectric dams. Barrage de Moiry via Grimentz, the Grande Dixence above Hérémence and the Lac de Tseuzier above Ayent. You can tick them off as a kind of bike passport. More about that on our page Valais.
- The big passes. By car or train you can quickly reach the Grand-Saint-Bernard (from Martigny) and the Furka and Grimsel in the east. Read about our epic rides from Crans-Montana.
Tips from a local
Yves Caillet from Swiss Mountain Sports gave us a few tips. His favorite route: descending to Sierre, straight through the valley to Sion and then back up via the Route du Sanetsch and Savièse, over Icogne and Lens. His hidden gem: a quiet path from Salgesch up to Varen, through Leukerbad and back over Albinen. His favorite dam: Moiry. Read all his tips.
Gravel and mountain bike
Crans-Montana is just as good for off-road. According to Crans-Montana Tourisme, the resort has over 139 kilometers of certified enduro and cross-country routes and a bike park with three downhill tracks (black, red and blue). In September 2025, the cross-country races of the World Mountain Bike Championships were held here, and the Swiss champion Jolanda Neff is the ambassador. With the gravel bike, you can find quiet rides around the lakes (Lac Grenon, Lac de Chermignon) and on the alpine meadows from the front door. Read Crans-Montana is an off-road cycling paradise en our article about mountain biking.
Rest day
One day without cycling? Chill at the lakes, take the cable car and walk to the Bella Lui viewpoint, try wine at one of the vineyards in the valley, or go to Fondation Opale for Aboriginal art. Eat well at the beach at La Plage. More ideas here 10 tips for Crans-Montana off the bike.
Overnight stay
Our regular spot is the Alaïa Lodge, right in the heart of Crans: spacious rooms with balconies, a bike room at the reception, and an extensive breakfast. The hotel is Cycling Destination Approved. Behind the hotel is Viva Voce, a good Italian run by the same owners. In 2021 we stayed at Hotel de la Forêt, a Swiss Bike Hotel with a closed bike parking area, washroom, and tools. When booking, please look for the Swiss Bike Hotel or Bike Friendly label.
When are you leaving?
June and September: the windows are open; it’s not too hot in the valley. In July and August, the temperatures in Sierre and Sion reach above 30 degrees Celsius.
From June to September. In June, the high passes are usually open and it is not yet too hot in the valley. In July and August, the temperatures in Sierre and Sion reach above 30 degrees Celsius, while it is pleasant above. Please be aware of thunderstorms in the afternoon: we ended up in a downpour in Thyon 2000. Always bring a rain jacket with you.
How do you get there?
- Train: Go to Sierre and then take the funicular up. From Utrecht it’s about twelve hours by four transfers; or you take the night train and arrive in Sion in the morning.
- Aircraft: to Geneva; the train travels directly to Sierre.
- Car: Expect almost twelve hours including stops. Don't forget the Swiss vignette.
This is how we calculate: We calculate distances and travel times starting from Utrecht. Our flights always depart from Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport or Eindhoven Airport. Want to know how to travel from your place of residence the best way? Let us know, We are happy to help you. After all, we built this site together.
Are you flying? Read our guide Flying with your bike: Which airline, what the cost is and how to pack your bike.
