Looking for the best things to do in Crans-Montana in summer? Swap the skis for hiking boots and you'll discover a completely different side of this famous Swiss mountain resort.
When you think of Switzerland, chances are your mind goes straight to snow-covered mountains, ski resorts and cosy chalets with smoke curling from the chimneys. But after spending three days exploring Crans-Montana in summer, I'm convinced we need to start talking about what happens when the snow disappears.
Instead of snow-covered slopes, the mountains are covered in wildflowers and hiking trails, mountain lakes are perfect for cooling off after a long walk, and vineyards stretch across the sunny slopes below. You can spend your morning hiking through the Alps, your afternoon mountain biking or wakeboarding, and your evening drinking local Valais wine and eating your way through some seriously good food.
Crans-Montana might have a reputation as one of Switzerland’s famous ski resorts, but you absolutely don’t need to be a skier to fall in love with it.
There are hundreds of kilometres of hiking trails, historic mountain paths known as bisses, waterfalls, alpine restaurants, mountain bike routes and plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Add in local wine, traditional Valaisan food and some seriously beautiful mountain scenery, and you have everything you could want from an adventure-filled summer trip.
So, if you’re wondering what to do in Crans-Montana in summer, I’ve put together everything I discovered during my trip – from the best hikes and outdoor adventures to where to eat, where to stay and everything you need to know before you go.
For those who are new here, I'm Lucy, a solo travel expert and adventure seeker who is passionate about giving women the tools (and the confidence) to try solo travel. I've travelled around the globe to 60+ countries and I pride myself in giving real, raw, honest advice to help you plan your dream trip, try exploring lesser-known destinations and weave in unique and authentic experiences to every itinerary.
This blog post is a press trip partnership with Switzerland Tourism and Crans-Montana Tourism [AD], but I only ever share my honest reviews & travel experiences.
Planning a visit to Crans-Montana in summer? Here's where you'll find:
- Why visit Crans-Montana in summer?
- What is Crans-Montana like in summer?
- Travelling to Crans-Montana from the UK
- Where to Stay in Crans-Montana
- Best things to do in Crans-Montana in summer
- Where to Eat in Crans-Montana
- Why 2027 Is a Big Year for Crans-Montana
- Things to Know Before Visiting Crans-Montana
- What to Pack for Crans-Montana in Summer
Get your Crans-Montana Essentials!
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Why visit Crans-Montana in summer?
If you’re looking for an Alpine destination that combines adventure with a little luxury, Crans-Montana in summer is a pretty hard combination to beat. Perched at around 1,500 metres above sea level in the Valais Alps of southwestern Switzerland, the resort sits on a sunny plateau overlooking the Rhône Valley, with the mountains rising dramatically around it.
Despite Crans-Montana covering a relatively small area, there's a vast amount of adventure activities to enjoy while exploring the Swiss Alps mountain range. The region has around 320km of signposted hiking paths, alongside mountain biking trails, alpine lakes, bisses, watersports and high-altitude adventures stretching all the way up towards the Plaine Morte Glacier at around 3,000 metres.
For those who are looking to escape the blistering temperatures of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean for a "coolcation", the destination is the perfect place for enjoying the more refreshing mountain air without skipping the sunshine. And you don't have to choose between an active holiday and a comfortable one. A morning on the trails can easily be followed by lunch overlooking the mountains, an afternoon swimming or wakeboarding on a lake, and an evening spent discovering Valais wines and local food.
For me, that's the real appeal of summer in Crans-Montana. It's an adventure destination, but one where you can slow down and enjoy the landscape rather than feeling like you have to spend every minute chasing the next activity. After all, if it was good enough for 007, it's good enough for me.
What is Crans-Montana like in summer?
Summer gives Crans-Montana a completely different rhythm. The resort's high-altitude setting means you get those huge Alpine views without having to venture far from restaurants, cafés and the centre of town. I loved that everything in Crans-Montana is walkable, while the surrounding landscape opens up into forests, meadows, vineyards, lakes and mountain peaks.
Crans-Montana sits high above the Rhône Valley, but the wider region stretches from the valley floor at around 500 metres all the way up to the Plaine Morte Glacier at 3,000 metres. That variation in altitude creates an incredible range of environments to explore, from sunny vineyards and woodland trails to rugged high-mountain landscapes.
On a warm summer day, you'll find people hiking between alpine villages, mountain biking along the trails, swimming in the lakes and sitting outside mountain restaurant with views that make it very difficult to concentrate on your lunch.
I loved that every activity lends itself well to a sociable summer and meeting the locals, while supporting local businesses. From trails that lead to mountain restaurants, hiking routes double as wine-country adventures, and even a day spent being active can finish with a glass of local Valais wine as the sun disappears behind the peaks.
It's this combination of Alpine adventure, beautiful scenery, good food and a slower pace that makes Crans-Montana such an interesting summer destination. You can make your trip as adventurous or as leisurely as you like – and, ideally, a bit of both.
If you're convinced that you'd rather explore Switzerland in winter, you might prefer to read my Ski & Adventure 3 Day Itinerary for Grindelwald and 11 Best Things to do in Grindelwald, Switzerland
Travelling to Crans-Montana from the UK
Flying to Geneva
Crans-Montana is in Valais, southwestern Switzerland, overlooking the Rhône Valley, with Geneva, Zurich, Basel and Milan airports are all within roughly three hours. For my UK travellers who are looking to visit Crans-Montana in summer, I recommend flying from London to Geneva. There are several options for airlines but I've always flown with Swiss which is an airline I really recommend, excellent service and they even give you a chocolate on the flight (I'm easily pleased). If you're looking for budget flights, you may like to try Ryanair or easyJet, my favourites at Jet2 also offer flights. Flights can start from £18-26 – however, I recommend booking as early as possible to score the best deals. The flight takes 1:42 hrs and there's nearly 500 flights per week to choose from.
Swiss Travel Pass
If you're planning on travelling by train or bus while visiting Switzerland (which I wholeheartedly recommend!) you will want to get a Swiss Travel Pass. Every time I have travelled to Switzerland in the last five years, I have chosen train travel over driving which is huge for someone who loves to drive abroad. Public transport in Switzerland is genuinely so seamless, relaxing and they pride themselves on efficiency. When the train left less than a full minute late for Crans-Montana, the driver apologised profusely – which for someone who deals with UK trains, is beyond anything we can dream of. I also love that these train journeys are so scenic and spectacular when it is just a regular train route. My Swiss Travel pass for Crans-Montana worked for the trains, buses and even the funicular which took us up to the mountain town.
Hiring a car in Switzerland
If you do choose to travel more independently and would like to hire a car in Switzerland, you can pick up a car from £18 per day. I know from previously road tripping across Switzerland that it is very good by camper van and there are also lots of campsites if you prefer an outdoor adventure stay. Hot tip if you plan to drive, check ahead with your accommodation in Crans-Montana that they have parking available and that there is somewhere to leave your vehicle so you don't have to find separate parking.
Where to Stay in Crans-Montana
If you're looking for the best hotels in Crans-Montana for your summer holiday, look no further than Hotel Ad'Eldorado for a relaxing and homely stay. It's tucked away in a peaceful corner of Crans-Montana with spectacular, panoramic mountain views from the wide terrace outside your room.
Waking up to the sight of the snow-topped mountains, the fresh alpine breeze through the door to your balcony, trust me, it's one of the best ways to wake up in Switzerland. Skip the luxury hotels Crans-Montana is known for and instead enjoy a more personal stay at a family-run hotel that has been welcoming visitors to the alpine town for 60 years. I loved that it felt like a more authentic, local stay in Crans-Montana and was supporting a local business.
Now, the Hotel Ad'Eldorado is run by Dider and Lucie Bonvin, who welcome every guest, while the staff at the hotel are super friendly and go above and beyond to offer advice, tips and support you during your trip. The hotel also comes with massage rooms and a sauna, while the on-site bar serves regional wines from their own wine cellar. I also highly rated the breakfast buffet which was just what I needed to set myself up for a day of adventures.
>>Book your stay at Hotel Ad'Eldorado now
Best things to do in Crans-Montana in summer
1. Bisse du Tsittoret & Tièche waterfalls
One of the most beautiful ways to experience the landscape around Crans-Montana is by following the Bisse du Tsittoret towards the spectacular Tièche waterfalls. These historic irrigation channels, known as bisses, wind through the mountains and offer a relatively gentle way to explore the Alps, with forest, meadows and dramatic mountain scenery along the route.
Unfortunately during our hike, we were hit with an unexpected thunderstorm so it was not quite so relaxing, but it was still spectacular to visit these waterfalls. Highly recommend packing waterproofs and checking the weather even in mid-summer, and remembering that the weather changes fast in the mountains.
Hike details:
- Distance: 10.7 km (round trip)
- Duration: approx. 3h
- Elevation gain: +365 m / -239 m
- Highest point: 2,002 m
- Lowest point: 1,638 m
- Difficulty: Moderate
2. Enjoy lunch at a mountain hut
One of my favourite things about hiking in Switzerland is that you don't have to pack a sad sandwich and eat it sitting on a rock. Around Crans-Montana, mountain huts and alpine restaurants are part of the experience, serving hearty local dishes alongside some seriously impressive views. It's the perfect excuse to build a long lunch into your hiking day. Alpine cuisine has become a standalone reason to travel to destinations in Switzerland and Crans-Montana is no different. Check out my top recommendations in the section on Where to Eat in Crans-Montana.
3. Bisse du Ro hike
The Bisse du Ro is another fantastic hiking trail for getting out into the mountains and experiencing one of the region's historic water channels. The route takes you along the mountainside with incredible views across the valley, combining a little bit of history with the kind of scenery that makes you want to stop every few minutes for another photo.
This was my favourite hike of the trip because the conditions were just perfection and I loved the views as we emerged from the shady forests. I wish we had longer to complete it so we could have attempted the summit, but we had to stop just short of it as we had to run and catch our train. There were also lots of other beautiful trails crossing with this one so there were lots of opportunities to extend the hike or blend it with another route.
Hike details:
- Distance: 11.3 km
- Duration: approx. 3.35h
- Elevation gain: +144 m / -429 m
- Highest point: 1,907 m
- Lowest point: 1,501 m
- Difficulty: Easy
4. Wine tasting of local Valais wine
Crans-Montana sits in the Valais, one of Switzerland's most important wine-producing regions, so wine tasting is a must while you're here. You may have noticed when riding the funicular up to the mountain town that you passed through several vineyards owned by local wine producers.
The sunny slopes below the resort are covered in vineyards producing everything from crisp whites to characterful reds, and tasting them locally gives you a completely different appreciation of the landscape you've been exploring. I highly recommend a visit to local favourite, Di-Vino, to try the local wines and learn about what makes them unique to the area. Many of the wines don't actually make it out of Switzerland due to high export charges, so tasting the wines is a particularly unique experience for the area.
5. Wakeboarding and watersports
Who says an Alpine adventure has to involve mountains? On a sunny summer day, head to the water for wakeboarding and other watersports. It's a brilliant way to add something completely different to your itinerary, particularly after a few days of hiking, and seeing the surrounding mountains from the lake is pretty spectacular.
Head to the wake park at Etang Long where you can try wakeboarding, wakeskating, water skiing, inflatable rings and WaterGames.
6. All-you-can-eat Raclette
You can't visit the Valais without eating raclette, and this is definitely not the time to pretend you're watching your calories. An all-you-can-eat raclette experience is exactly the kind of indulgent Swiss meal that belongs after a day outdoors. Expect plenty of melted cheese, potatoes and local accompaniments – and come hungry.
We visited a Crans-Montana favourite, L' Ardoise Valaisanne, which offers a range of raclette and fondue dishes. It was the first time I've had raclette in years and loved getting to try different types of raclette. Our group very much enjoyed ranking each cheese in our own rating system, while others dived into fondue. Needless to say, we all waddled back to the hotel in a very content cheese coma.
7. Mountain biking/e-biking
With mountains in every direction, Crans-Montana is made for two wheels. Although whether I am is another question! Mountain biking is one of my biggest fears, but Crans-Montana helped me to overcome this thanks to their wonderful ESS Crans-Montana local guides supporting me every step of the way.
There are mountain biking routes for different abilities, while e-bikes make it much easier to tackle the climbs if you're not quite ready to spend your entire day fighting gravity. I went on an e-bike and actually tackled an intermediate route (which I didn't find out until later!).
8. Visit an eco-museum at Hameau de Colombire
For something a little different, head into the mountains to Hameau de Colombire, where the eco-museum offers an insight into traditional life in the region. This attraction is also FREE with the Swiss Travel Pass, and gives a glimpse into the local Mayens and how the ancestors of this region would have once lived and worked. While the adventures are incredible, it's also really lovely to slow down and connect with the land by adding some cultural context to the beautiful landscapes you're exploring.
9. Swimming in alpine lakes
I don't think I'll ever get over how surreal it feels to swim in breathtakingly clear alpine lakes surrounded by the mountains. Crans-Montana has several mountain lakes where you can cool off during the warmer months, making them an ideal addition to a hiking or cycling day. They're popular spots and many of the locals also like to swim out to the platforms or even go fishing daily (I mean who wouldn't with these surroundings?)
Hot tip: always pack your swimwear, you never know when you'll find the perfect spot for a refreshing dip.
10. Relax at the Beach Club
If you've packed your itinerary with hiking, biking and watersports, give yourself permission to do absolutely nothing for a few hours. The Beach Club is the perfect place to slow down, soak up the summer atmosphere and enjoy some downtime by the water, proving that an active Alpine holiday doesn't have to mean being constantly on the move.
It's the perfect place to relax with a book or enjoy floating around in the water. If you really can't keep still, there's also beach volleyball!
11. Explore the resort & sports facilities
It's worth spending some time actually exploring Crans-Montana itself rather than treating it purely as a base for outdoor adventures. The resort has a great mix of sports facilities, cafés, restaurants and shops, with plenty going on during the summer months. It's also a good place to experience the more relaxed, social side of mountain life.
If you are hit with bad weather unexpectedly, there's lots of activities to keep you busy from climbing walls and padel, to tennis courts and much more.
12. Hit the golf courses
Golfers are particularly well catered for in Crans-Montana, with the mountains providing a spectacular backdrop to the courses. Even if you're not a serious golfer, the setting alone makes this a pretty memorable place to tee off. And if you are a golfer, playing at altitude with the Alps stretching out around you is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip. Crans-Montana has three golf courses to choose from, making it an excellent destination for a golf holiday in Switzerland.
The most famous is the 18-hole Severiano Ballesteros Course at Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, home to the Omega European Masters and renowned for its spectacular Alpine setting. The club also has the 9-hole Jack Nicklaus Course, offering another chance to play golf in Crans-Montana without committing to a full 18 holes. For a more relaxed and accessible round, Golf Noas is a 9-hole course in Chermignon-d'en-Bas and is suitable for players without a handicap.
Where to Eat in Crans-Montana
One of the most important parts of your summer adventure trip to Crans-Montana is finding the right places to fuel up and boost your energy levels after a busy day on the trails. Luckily, I've done the research so you don't have to waste time looking for the best spots.
L' Ardoise Valaisanne
This is the spot for authentic, local Valaisan cuisine featuring all local produce – and of course offering that incredible all-you-can-eat raclette experience. Genuinely can't recommend L' Ardoise Valaisanne enough, they also have lots of fondue options available.
Mosaic
Another popular brasserie in the heart of Crans-Montana, Mosaic offers a mix of pastas, meat and fish dishes. You can watch it all being freshly prepared in the open-plan kitchen where chefs use the volcanic stone grill, a rotisserie and a plancha to combine tradtional touches with modern dishes. I loved that they were using seasonal local produce to decide the menu and chose the pasta with foraged mushrooms.
Burger Lounge
Looking for a more casual eaterie? Check out Burger Lounge which is a must-stop for burger lovers and can be found at the entrance to Crans-Montana. The ingredients are made from high quality local artisans including Taillens bakery and Rawyl butcher, they also have some great specials on.
Gerber Brasserie
If you're craving pizza, this is the spot to enjoy a relaxed alfresco alpine lunch on the terrace. Brasserie Gerber is dog-friendly and has a cosy atmosphere inside with wooden beams. Expect to find all your classic brasserie favourites, but we all went for the pizzas which were so delicious after a day of hiking.
Mountain huts for lunch
Buvette de la Cave du Sex is one of the best spots on the mountain for fresh, hearty local dishes celebrating Swiss flavours alongside spectacular views. It's also at a crossroads between multiple hiking and mountain biking trails which makes it the perfect half-way stop for your adventures to refuel. I highly recommend the rosti & salad which is delicious and fresh.
The Hameau de Colombire offers a charming lunch-stop nestled on the scenic Bisse du Tsittoret trail at 1850m. Sit on the panoramic terrace and take in the views, or enjoy the cosy inside and fireplace on cooler days, this is where you can find authentic local specialities at the heart of Valais heritage.
Why 2027 Is a Big Year for Crans-Montana
If you're thinking about visiting Crans-Montana in 2027, there is a particularly exciting reason to have this Swiss mountain resort on your radar. From 1–14 February 2027, Crans-Montana will host the FIS Alpine World Ski Championships, bringing the world's best alpine skiers to the resort for two weeks of competition.
It is a significant moment for Crans-Montana, particularly because the resort previously hosted the World Championships in 1987. Forty years later, the competition returns to the legendary Mont Lachaux and Nationale slopes, with races taking place across the resort.
But the event isn't just about skiing. Crans-Montana 2027 is also being designed as a wider celebration, with a festival programme running alongside the championships. Among the events announced so far is The Music Hall, with performances including international singer Barbara Hendricks, comedian Anthony Kavanagh and the Brass Band Valaisia.
So while winter 2027 is likely to be an especially busy time to visit, it is also a fascinating year to see Crans-Montana in the spotlight. And if, like me, you're more interested in hiking, mountain biking, lakes, food and wine than ski racing, don't write the destination off once the snow melts – summer in Crans-Montana is where I think it really shines.
Things to Know Before Visiting Crans-Montana
Before you visit Crans-Montana, there are a few things worth knowing – from its reputation as one of Switzerland's best-known mountain resorts to the practicalities of visiting today.
What is Crans-Montana famous for?
Crans-Montana is best known as an upmarket Swiss ski resort, but there's much more to it than skiing. Sitting at around 1,500 metres above sea level in the Valais Alps, the resort is famous for its spectacular mountain scenery, golf, gastronomy, wellness and major international sporting events. It hosted the Alpine Skiing World Championships in 1987 and will welcome them back in 2027. The resort is popular with celebrities and international visitors, including Roger Moore (007) who once had a home here.
Is Crans-Montana expensive?
There's no getting around it: Crans-Montana can be expensive and you will find luxury hotels, high-end chalets, excellent restaurants and plenty of opportunities to spend money. But you don't need a huge budget to enjoy it. Some of the best experiences, such as hiking the 320km of signposted trails, swimming in Alpine lakes and exploring the mountains, cost very little or nothing at all. I'd save your budget for a few memorable experiences and make the most of the outdoors.
The Crans-Montana fire
It would be remiss of me to not acknowledge the tragedy that happened here on 1 January 2026. A devastating fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar during New Year's celebrations, killing 41 people and injuring 115. It was an unimaginable tragedy for the local community and has inevitably affected tourism in the resort.
If you're visiting, remember that Crans-Montana is a community as well as a tourist destination, so by choosing to travel to the alpine town, you are actively supporting local businesses that have been impacted by the lower numbers of visitors this year. Please be respectful of the area where there are now tributes and memorials.
What to Pack for Crans-Montana in Summer
If I've convinced you to plan a summer trip to Crans-Montana, you'll need to know what to pack. It's important to remember that although it is summer, the mountains are still unpredictable and you will need to pack for all weathers. For those who are visiting for the first time, don't underestimate the altitude. At 1,500m, with trails climbing much higher, give yourself time to acclimatise and pack layers – Alpine weather can change quickly. You might want to check out my adventure packing list.
- Sunscreen
- Swimwear
- Hiking boots
- Trainers
- Hiking shorts and outfits
- Warm layers such as a thermal or fleece
- Waterproof jacket & trousers
- Hiking backpack
- Drybag
- Sunglasses & hat
