Get in the zone with Crans-Montana's diverse routes – from scenic tours to downhill tracks!
Crans-Montana is mostly known for its ski resort, one of the largest in Switzerland, but some don't know about its decently sized bike park and range of biking routes. Tourism Switzerland boasts their 117 km of marked pistes, 2 downhill runs and a bike park with 2 very different downhill tracks.
To the excitement of many bikers, trails around Crans-Montana tend to open earlier in the season because of its southern exposure on the north side of the Valaisian Rhone east-west valley. The bike park usually opens later in May.
The Crans-Montana Bike Park offers two contrasting tracks, and each one spans a vertical height difference of 765 metres. Its black track (Chetseron) is for advanced riders only and served as the venue for the Swiss iXS Cup in 2005. The route spans 5.3 km and includes rocky technical sections, root sections, and stunning views.
The red track (Mont-Lachaux) is 6 km long and fit for all riding levels. It features banked turns, jumps, and root sections throughout but offers alternative ways around difficult features for beginner riders.
The Bike Marathon route is another notable highlight. It combines many of the mountain bike routes to circle around the Crans-Montana region. Physically and technically demanding, the tour also promises a bunch of surprises along the way from forests to villages to even museums!
Author: Emily Lennon
Sources:
https://www.crans-montana-parks.ch/bike
https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/mountainbiking-in-switzerland/routes/local-routes/route-0184.html
https://www.pinkbike.com/news/switzerland-mountain-biking-part-five-crans-montana-2015.html
This ride takes the demanding Terrific route, which rises steeply to the heights above the resort. This is followed by a challenging climb towards Les Violettes and a long final descent through Plumachit and Marolires.
It is a pleasure to ride on this downhill mountain bike route of medium difficulty, with its banked turns, small jumps and tree roots to cross, all in a breathtaking scenario! The trail is permanent, safe and closed to walkers. Approval pending.
For advanced riders who want to time their descents, this difficult downhill trail is challenging and includes technical passages over rocky slabs and tree roots. The trail, which is completely safe and protected by nets and padding, is permanent and closed to walkers. Approval pending.
This mountain bike ride up to the Hauts de Crans is ideal for conditioning your legs while you discover the resort and enjoy the extraordinary views. Possible start from Crans-Cry d'Er car park.
This gently sloping ride, ideal for a family outing or a first bike ride, will take you into the forests around Crans-Montana dotted with meres and small ponds. Possible short variant.
This challenging mountain bike ride takes you through the mountain pastures of the Crans-Montana region. A sporty way to discover our much admired Herens cattle breed. Possible start from Crans-Cry d'Er car park.
After a gondola lift ride up to Cry d'Er, this descent takes you through green alpine meadows and forests via Chetseron, Corbire and L'Arnouva with return to the Cry d'Er car park.