Centenary walk on the high plateau in Crans-Montana
Crans-Montana
6/12°
The «Centenary Walk» traces 100 years of history in Crans-Montana. Highlights include legendary sporting venues, architectural gems and glorious views.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
8.83 kmDuration
2:30 h
Description
Crans-Montana celebrated its 100th birthday in 1993 with a delightful gift for all its guests: the «Promenade du 100ème» or «Centenary Walk». This gently undulating trail offers a timeless journey through the resort’s glamorous history, with fascinating information panels en route.
Located at 1,500 m on a spacious, sunny plateau, Crans-Montana has charmed visitors from its earliest days with magnificent views of snow-capped peaks from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. Today, the superb summer and winter sports facilities, gourmet restaurants, seductive shopping, five swimming lakes, a vast network of footpaths and coveted «Family Destination» status draw visitors from all over the world.
Our trail begins beside the greens of the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, home of the Omega European Masters – and without doubt the most spectacular venue on the whole European tour.
The itinerary leads eastwards to the historical heart of the resort. Overlooking the sparkling waters of the Etang du Grenon, the Bella Lui is a gem of modernist architecture: built in 1930 as a luxury sanatorium, it was recently converted into a youth hostel.
Our route continues into the delightful Ycoor park. This was a favourite haunt of the New Zealand writer Katherine Mansfield, who stayed in the resort for several months in 1921 and 1922 and wrote some of her most famous stories here. The hill to the right, Colline du Parc, marks the site of the resort’s first hotel.
Further east, our trail passes the end of ski slopes that made sporting history: at the World Championships in 1987, Switzerland won its best-ever haul of medals, including 8 of the 10 golds up for grabs. From here, the final stretch of trail leads through fragrant pine forests and alpine pastures to Aminona.
Highlights:
- Variety: parks, forest, lakes, shopping, architecture and history
- Two of the world’s most iconic sporting venues: legends of ski and golf
- Chic alpine town or authentic mountain village? Walk gives a taste of both
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail leads across the whole resort, passing several bus stops en route. Walkers can choose various starting points or opt for shorter sections. The trail’s name is written both as «Promenade du 100e» and «Promenade du 100ème».
It is worth allowing time for diversions along the way; many of the buildings have a fascinating story to tell. The trail passes several large sanatoria, which contributed considerably to the economic growth and fame of the resort. The Clinique Genevoise de Montana provides the setting for a charming nature trail: the Chemin des Ecureuils («Squirrel Trail») leads through the woods just behind the clinic, and offers the chance to spot forest birds and other wildlife, too.
Beyond the Piste Nationale, the trail leads through forest and pasture. A small grotto between Les Barzettes and Aminona displays rocks from the region; a nearby viewpoint offers superb views of the Rhône valley. Aminona is also home to a small museum devoted to crystals and regional wines.
Der Weg führt durch den ganzen Ferienort und an mehreren Bushaltestellen vorbei. Der Wanderer kann aus verschiedenen Startpunkten und Strecken wählen und der Weg ist mit «Promenade du 100e» und «Promenade du 100ème» ausgeschildert.
Start
Crans-sur-Sierre (1450m)
Destination
Aminona (1514m)
Author's recommendation
Technical information
Altitude
1525m
1425m
Ascent
+260m
Descent
-196m
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Public transport
Approach
Parking
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
