Crans-Montana: from the hiking boot to dancing shoes

We quickly left the wet start of summer behind us on the train from Bern to Crans-Montana. With a small aperitif and great expectations, we chugged comfortably to Valais. I mean it literally: From Sierre to Crans-Montana we changed to the funicular. The locals call the cable car «Funiculaire» – it takes you to 1200 metres in 12 minutes: Record time!

[Bildbeschrieb 1] Our «Funiculaire»: It travels 8 metres per second. Plus: Free bike transport!

Rebooked: two nights in the youth hostel
Once we arrived at the Crans-Montana Youth Hostel, we were provided with all the information, terrycloth towels and free mountain railway tickets – more about that later. At reception, we spontaneously booked a second night. We canceled our planned tour to the Wildstrubelhütte: At almost 3000 metres, unfortunately, there was too much snow.

[Bildbeschrieb 2] Wildstrubelhütte: still on our to-do list for late summer!
Bisses hike: «Qu’est-ce que cela ?»
After a leisurely breakfast at the youth hostel, we chose a lower hiking route. We were recommended one of the many bisses hikes. Bisses are ancient water furrows carved into the stone. The historic canals meander through the mountain panorama, still guiding water into the valley and hikers up the mountain today. Our destination was at «the source» of this bisse: the Tseuzier reservoir. This route is only suitable if you’ve got a head for heights. The suspension bridge «Ru-Suone» wobbles from time to time.
Ru-Suone suspension bridge for those with a head for heights: At a height of 70 metres, it takes your breath away.
[Bildbeschrieb 3] This is what a bisse looks like. The hike takes about three hours.

Free mountain ascent to the dance
If you stay at the Crans-Montana Youth Hostel, you get free access to all mountain railroads of the destination. We used the free «explorer card» that same evening, taking a leisurely train ride up the Cry d’Er. Small festivals are held there throughout the summer. Until the end of August, the «Sunset Vibes» regularly attract locals and guests to the dance floor.

On the Côte d’Azur for a moment
At 2220 metres it’s easy to enjoy to electronic music. The event appeals to many locals – as a German-speaking Swiss, this francophone flair gives off holiday vibes. At 10 p.m. the train takes all the dancers back to the valley. Exhilarated by the panorama and the little «trip to the Côte d’Azur», we chatted with some locals on the way back. They assured us that our broken-in hiking boots were hardly noticeable on the dance floor. Besides, this choice meant we were sure not to have any blisters on our feet.
[Bildbeschrieb 4] DJs hailing from Lausanne fired up the improvised gondola.

One final dive as a farewell
On Sunday we took it a little easier. Before leaving, we were drawn to Lake Moubra. The walk takes about 20 minutes: For the «lazybones», there’s an hourly bus running between the village and the lake. In this swimming pool you swim for free and have a nice view of the surrounding peaks. If you forgot your swimsuit or bikini at home, you can have fun at the climbing park next door. Restaurant La Plage is located between the climbing park and the swimming pool. Lunch costs a good 50 francs. Before leaving, we thought to ourselves, «you only live once!»

[Bildbeschrieb 5] At Lake Moubra in Montana, you catch the last rays of sun in the evening.
After our «farewell swim» we took the Funiculaire back to Sierre. In Crans-Montana we got away from hectic everyday life for a moment. On the train to Bern, we were already making plans for our return: «Crans-Montana, we’ll be back!»
Adrian Reber has written a personal report for us about his stay at Crans-Montana Youth Hostel – thank you very much!

About me:
Adrian here – I’m 28 and appreciate the little escapes from my everyday life. Especially on weekends, I want to get out of the house and experience life besides work. On my trips, the Swiss Youth Hostels appeal to me with central locations, new acquaintances and let’s be honest: reasonable prices ;-)!