For Crans-Montana, the cycling hotspot in the Swiss region of Valais/Wallis, we have been writing beautiful articles for several years now. We are increasingly discovering what the advantages of this destination at an altitude of over 1400 meters are. It will not surprise you that Crans-Montana is the place where you as a climber are completely at your best. Especially if you are also preparing for a GranFondo or Cyclosportive, you can make more elevation meters in Crans-Montana than anywhere else. Every time we are amazed again and again and every time we say to each other: could it be better? This time we were again surprised, with beautiful climbing kilometers, new mountain lakes and a fresh rain shower. Crans-Montana? Absolutely.
It is June when we are invited to stay and cycle in Crans-Montana for three nights. The weather looks good. When we arrive it is a bit cloudy, but the temperature is good. In any case, there are two new climbs on the program. Across the valley we are heading towards Thyon 2000, a well-known winter sports resort, but also an ascent that is challenging. In addition, Paulien and I have been tipped to visit Lac Derborence. The lake is completely hidden behind the mountains. The first photos look stunning.
Upon arrival at Alaïa Lodge, our regular residence in Crans-Montana, I am warmly welcomed. I have a spacious room on the third floor. A balcony, plenty of space for all my belongings, and my bike can be neatly stored in the bike room at the reception. It’s safe and it’s Switzerland. There, your bike is a bit safer than in another country in Europe.
Sanetsch again
Upon arrival, I had some time left for a first drive. My first introduction to Valais led me once to the Col du Sanetsch. According to many, it is the most beautiful road in the world. best-kept secret of the region. I decide to do the climb again. From Crans-Montana, I first descend towards Lens and Icogne, then start the climb via Saviese. It’s a long killer, Sanetsch included, but one thing is for sure: it’s more than worth the effort. During my climb, the weather is perfect. No scorching sun, but a cloud cover that accompanies me. As I get closer to the bottom, I can already see the signs that the region has placed at many passes. If you did it all from Sion, it would be 27 kilometers. I’ll start from Savièse, so it’s only 22km of climbing.
Swiss blockhouse
According to CyclingCols, this is similar to the Blockhaus in Italy and already early in the climb you have to deal with the toughest part. A kilometer long at an average of 10.9% with a peak of 13%. It’s not pleasant to be riding with this monster. During my ride I encounter several other fellow riders. Everyone is enjoying themselves, but in their own way. The men on the mountain bikes I catch up with are spinning a coffee grinder. The woman I encounter is keeping a nice rhythm. I myself am struggling a bit. Well, what does it matter. I park the bike above the sign and take a photo. The view here is less spectacular, but on the way back the winding road offers me beautiful panoramas and views over the valley. Sanetsch encore, but yes! 87 kilometers and 2750 meters of elevation gain. Just go for it. The pasta at Viva Voce, it goes in like a train.
Rainy Thyon 2000
On day two, Paulien is also there; we’re heading to Thyon. Paulien is fully prepared for the Alpenbrevet. Her coach ‘demanded’ 3000 meters of elevation gain per day. Take it. I already had 2750 of them, so in my opinion ‘no problem’. The drive to Thyon is one part of it. First, it’s a fast descent towards the valley. Then you have to cross a stretch of flat ground before starting the route towards Hérémence. This is also the start of the climb to Lac des Dix. Once in Vex, turn right at the Thyon sign. And then the fun begins. It’s more than 20 kilometers of climbing and almost 1600 meters of elevation gain. So it’s quite a climb with some steep sections towards 15% in the middle of the climb.
We depart from Crans-Montana with the sun high in the sky. It’s short-lived, but we also look ahead. According to the forecasts, we’ll get some rain somewhere along the way. It’ll be brief, maybe heavy, but not a problem, according to the experts. We’ll see. The first part goes quite smoothly. We climb up the mountain and head towards the valley. As the sun shines on us, we seem to be dressed a bit too warmly. The turn towards the climb is a bit busy with traffic, but we get through it well. The first part of the climb is really heating up. Literally. Jackets are taken off and we keep a good rhythm with the pace. Once we reach Vex, we drive through the small village and further through the forests. Above us, the air is getting thicker and we’re now counting on the announced rain shower.
Plentiful rain in the mountains
And that’s coming. Hard. Cruel. We’re almost at the top of the ski resort when it starts to drizzle. First we put on a jacket on the bike under a bridge, then we drive the last kilometer uphill. When we get to the village, it’s deserted and quiet. Everything is closed; the ski season doesn’t start again until the fall. Meanwhile, it’s starting to rain harder. The air has completely changed and we look at it for a moment. After 5 to 10 minutes, it becomes clear that this is a case of: swallow it and get on with it. We’re well prepared, but in retrospect we went out with too little clothing. The steep climb up the mountain now translates into a cold and clammy descent. Disc brakes or not, it’s cautious through the curves and especially shivering on the bike. Obviously because of the cold. We’re desperately looking for a mountain hut or a restaurant that’s open.
Lighting in Vex
In Vex we finally find the lighting we are looking for. At Relays des Mayens, a restaurant in American style, we dive inside. The guests stare at us in horror. Everything is wet. The motto is simple: get undressed (up to the underpants), and make sure the body can warm up quickly. Wet clothes draw energy from your body, and then you better go straight to bed. The owners are loving and when we leave for a hearty lunch again, we each get some newspapers to put under our shirt. That just adds that little bit extra. Once on the bike, it still drips a little and the cold sets in again, but when we can pedal down the bottom of the hill into the valley, the cold disappears and the rain also disappears suddenly. Welcome to the mountains of Valais/Wallis
Crans Montana as a dessert
One thing is certain: starting downhill is ending up uphill. If you are training anyway for a Granfondo or a climber, then Crans-Montana is perfect for that. You can do the entire climb to the top of the mountain from here. Col de Crans-Montana Do it, or you only climb to the village. It saves a few hundred vertical meters. The climb to Crans-Montana can be started in several ways. The most beautiful is through the vineyards, but for that you have to start all the way to the east in Sierre. We have no choice but to take the main road up. It’s not as idyllic, but painful for the legs (and perfect for training). On top of that, it’s quick to shower and put on warm clothes. Although the climb warms us up well, Thyon 2000 is up to the task. What’s more, with 80 kilometers and 2700 vertical meters, it was a day to remember.
Derborence Lake
We like to say that we know where to go to cycle. But that we are not all-knowing, is once again proven. This is our fourth year in Crans-Montana and in every report Lac de Derborence was not mentioned as a great climb. That could be true. It is located a little further west, west of Sion actually. A round trip is more than 80 kilometers with 2500+ meters of elevation gain. But is this climb worth it? That should be clear. Even now, we are once again tackling a descent that leads through Icogne into the fields. We skip the Sanetsch pass, but ride along the bottom. The weather is great, with a clear blue sky and a radiant sun. Where did the rain from yesterday go?
Once at the bottom of the climb, it’s a bit of a struggle. Right from the start, we have to process double figures. From Pont-de-la-Morge it’s a bit of a struggle and a lot of pushing. At least, that’s my style. Paulien grabbed her coffee grinder and pedaled along at a brisk pace. Once past this first painful point, the beauty of the climb begins.
Through a gap upwards
You drive through a kind of canyon towards the top. There is no real steep part here anymore and you follow the rock wall. Be careful though of falling rocks and stones. After a few more kilometers to the top the landscape suddenly changes. For those who have ever been to Yosemite National Park, you immediately understand what I am trying to describe. Pine trees, a pond, a kind of meadow landscape where the road winds through. It is extraordinary and beautiful. At the end you have to walk a few hundred meters over a dirt road towards the lake. And then: enjoy. You are surrounded by rocky mountain peaks. It is quiet there, because hardly any cars and you are there with fellow mountain enthusiasts, climbing goats and other adventurers. The coffee with cake at the top? Do the same thing. And on the way down take your camera with you and start shooting. The photos: priceless.
Staying in Crans-Montana
In recent years we have been to Crans-Montana several times. Our go-to place almost always is the Alaïa Lodge, In the middle of Crans, which is just higher/more westerly than Montana, the two parts that together form Crans-Montana. It is perfectly located near all the shops and restaurants; it’s a short 20-minute walk to the funicular, and you can also get here easily by public transport and car.
Spacious hotel
The hotel is very spacious, with a large breakfast room, several other spaces for working or relaxing, a bike room and a restaurant that opens seasonally. During our stays, the in-house restaurant was often closed, so we could go to Viva Voce, the Italian restaurant under the hotel. You get 10% discount points as a hotel guest, because the owners are the same people.
Would you like to know more about this hotel? then in this article. You can find other hotels and tips in this map.
Travel tips
For this trip, I would have preferred to travel entirely by train. This is basically also possible, if you for example take the ICE to Basel, then change direction towards Bern and continue towards Visp and Crans-Montana. The train journey from Utrecht takes a total of 12 hours, with 4 transfers. The night train takes a little longer, but then you’ll have already slept. The departure is at 18:00 and by 10:00 you’ll be in Sion (the funicular goes up every 15-20′).
This time it was a combination of a plane and a train thanks to a short preparation and simply budget constraints. From Geneva, the train goes straight to Sierre and from there you can take the funicular up. The funicular stops right in the middle of the village and our hotel was a 20-minute walk or a short bus ride away. Flights can of course be taken to Geneva and Zurich.
With the car, you are also almost 12 hours on the road, including stops/charging/refueling and rest periods.
Routes in Crans-Montana
These are the routes we rode during our adventure in Crans-Montana in 2025
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.