As Cycling Destination, we enjoy cycling in beautiful places in Europe and beyond. Over the past two years, we have already had the opportunity to do some beautiful tours in Crans-Montana and its surroundings. What a beautiful place this is. The views are phenomenal and when you go cycling you often have the roads to yourself. In the nearby area you'll find beautiful climbs and if you think a bit more broadly, the Furka pass is also a do-able option. Still, it helps if you have a bit more insider knowledge. We asked local Yves Caillet about his tips for cycling in this beautiful region. He should know, because with his company Swiss Mountain Sports he offers bike tours in the area. A true local, then. Five questions for him with five great answers and tips for discovering Crans-Montana by bike yourself.
Back in time
In 2021, we were in Crans-Montana with Cycling Destination. Let's just say that at times the weather was not so favourable to us. When we stepped outside on a drizzly Thursday, we basically said, 'we're not going cycling'. It was chilly, it was raining and a cold descent didn't seem like anything to us. Then you never get warm. But there was Yves. He was looking forward to it, together with his companion. The battle plan was simple. We were going cycling. Anyway. Packed, we descended and ended up enjoying ourselves. A bit of rain, but soon there was sunshine. We enjoyed ourselves then, which is why we now asked Yves for his opinion on Crans-Montana.
What is your favourite ride when you have a free afternoon?
I am a fan of 'loops' (or tours). This allows me to do the same loop several times. This has the advantage of not going too far in case of a technical problem or a puncture. My routes vary throughout the season, depending on form and my training level. For instance, at the beginning of the season, I prefer flat rides and low intensity with some hills.
Then I multiply the number of altimeters of bumps and the intensity with which I approach them, to finish with real climbs from the Rhone plain to Crans-Montana (+1000m altitude difference). A trip I really appreciate is to leave the ski resort, descend to Sierre for the flat section to Sion (...with a few small hills in the middle - La Crettaz (Bramois)) / St-Leonard for example) and then up via the route du Sanetsch/Route de Savièse, to Icogne, Lens and Crans-Montana. You then also have the option to vary the climb slightly. So enjoy.
What is the climb that everyone with ride when visiting Crans-Montana
First of all, you should know that Crans-Montana is an incredibly beautiful base for cycling. You can go there by road bike, (E-)MTB, downhill bike and even gravel bike. I think everyone should have done the climb to Crans-Montana once, but with the route I indicated in the previous point. That's the best as far as I'm concerned.
Hidden Gem: what hidden gem is there that would be your favourite?
There are plenty of them, even small stretches with varying difficulties, but which have their importance depending on what you want to train. Often out of car traffic, which also results in short nervous 'trips' and not necessarily long trips of monotonous intensity. I like the route to Salgesch, then up along a small road without much traffic to Varen, then Loèche-les-Bains and crossing over the other side to Albinen and back. As you understood, I try to avoid main or high-traffic roads as much as possible.
What is your favourite 'Barrage' like e.g. Grand-Dixence, Lac de Tseuzier etc
I am an absolute van of the climb to Lac de Moiry ! The views are fantastic, the pictures say it all.
Crans montana at its best, where do we find it?
The 'Col de Crans-Montana' above Aminona, especially for the unobstructed view that works - as a start. Otherwise, there are routes for everyone, frankly. The plains for the 'rouleurs' (up to Martigny without crossing cars, or almost), 'mixed' routes and, of course, the big climbs that make us sweat and sometimes hate the bike, until, once back, we change our minds!
What is the perfect route for photos?
Route du Sanetsch / Col du Sanetsch... Go there well-trained, otherwise you will look warmed-up as death in the photo!
Read also:
5 tips for Crans Montana in summer
Do you also want to go to Crans-Montana on a cycling holiday? Then check the Crans-Montana tourism office site for the latest information. We stayed in Alaia Lodge in 2022 and that was an absolute blast!
