Since the first time I was in Crans-Montana, on a press trip in 2021, I am a fan of this crazy destination. The canton of Valais-Wallis is home to many beautiful passes, dams and other climbs and routes where you can get lost to your heart’s content. Literally, because really getting lost is not the point. Moreover, many roads are a ‘dead end‘, which will always lead you back to the right path. Lately I have become more active outside the well-trodden paths, literally and figuratively. My gravel bike is increasingly my companion on beautiful adventures. Next September we are going on an invitation to Crans-Montana again. This time not only for the beautiful panorama from the road, but also off-road. We already give you some tips.
Alpine gravel to the next level
One thing is for sure: there are very few destinations where you can have a ‘bike-in/bike-out’ experience. Now cycling doesn’t have this ski-like designation by its origin. But if you’re in Crans-Montana, you can actually experience alpine gravel at the next level right away. Because you’re at an altitude of over 1400 meters and the alpine meadows are right at your feet. There are a number of shorter introductory circuits around the resort to choose from. A short 5km that also goes around Lac Grenon (near the Crans-Montana logo). You’ll immediately be immersed in the atmosphere here. No challenging single tracks or anything like that. Ideal if you’re here with your family and want to try gravel cycling (at altitude) for once. A slightly more challenging 12km circuit remains within the limits of the resort as well. Nice, right?
Gravel weekend
Now these are just introductory shots, as it’s so aptly named. From the weekend of July 19 to 21, 2024, Crans-Montana will be in gravel territory. A whole new event, GRAAALPS, will then descend on the resort. The main menu of this event is an Ultra-distance ride, which starts in Southern France and travels across the Alps with a finish in Crans-Montana. But the other ‘courses on the menu’ are just as awesome! Because this weekend you have multiple routes to choose from. One of them is a 30 km round trip around the resort, the ’discovery’, which goes 60 km and then the ’Serious’, with 90 km and plenty of Alpine elevation gain. Oh, that’s even more awesome! Do you want to know more about this event? Then check out the GRAAALPS website.
Did someone say Bikepark?
A real Alpine resort has a bike park. We are happy to make this bold statement. Of course, a bike park is more for the daredevils who want to go hard downhill. But there are also routes for those who are less daring and for when you are in the area with your family; for example, a 3.6km route through the forest. Enjoying the view of the valley is a delight. What more could you ask for?
Jolanda Neff says: ‘Ride the Resort’
Swiss mountain bike champion Jolanda Neff is the ambassador of Crans-Montana. That’s saying something. Namely that you can do fantastic MTB here. In her ambassador role, she made a cool four-part YouTube series about the MTB possibilities around the resort. Here you see the real gems, with the beautiful blue-red-black loops of the DH course. But also the more rural routes. Also a friend of the show, Steve Morabito, makes his appearance in the video below. Then it must be top-notch. If you’d like to see Jolanda in action at the resort live? Stay a little longer after the GRAAALPS weekend.
World Cup and World Championships in 2024 and 2025
Because in June 2024 the village will also host the UCI World Cup in Mountain Biking. Jolanda Neff is likely to be competing herself, but there is a good chance that our ‘own’ Puck Pieterse and Anne Tauber will also be there. You won’t get much off-road racing. Or rather: there is something else, namely the 2025 World Championships in Valais. Then Crans-Montana will host the Cross Country (XCO) races for this World Championships. We’re already writing it down in our calendar.
This article has been compiled in collaboration with our partner Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congress.
Would you like to learn more about Crans-Montana and read our experiences again? Then read the following articles:
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.