Trail running
Trail des Patrouilleurs 15k
Crans-Montana
5/10°
ClosedScale the heights above Crans-Montana with this itinerary that traces some of the resort’s ski pistes to take you up to the Bella Lui, revealing breathtaking views.
Difficulty
IntermediateLength
17.15 kmDuration
3:50 h
Description
Follow the route of the famous Trail des Patrouilleurs team race (15 km course), which takes you up to the Bella Lui and then the iconic Col du Pochet. Starting at the Ycoor ice rink in Montana, the loop begins with a gentle climb as far as the Lac de Chermignon. The itinerary then becomes steeper, following the course of the famous Chetzeron ski piste up to the hotel of the same name, which reveals superb views of the Rhône valley and the surrounding peaks. Continue your climb as far as Cry d’Er, and then pass via Tsa Bonna to reach the Bella Lui, at an altitude of more than 2,500 metres. From here, do a loop that allows you to climb the ladders of the Col du Pochet for a guaranteed blast of adrenalin. Head back down via the initial section of the Chetzeron piste course before traversing to access Merbé and Arnouvaz. Eventually you reach the centre of Montana after a total descent of more than 1,200 metres, having enjoyed magnificent views of the Alps along the way.
Turn-by-turn directions
From the Ycoor ice rink, in the centre of the resort of Crans-Montana, follow the road that leads past the Crans Ambassador hotel to reach the Lac de Chermignon. In winter, the Chetzeron ski piste finishes close by; follow the course of the piste up to the hotel of the same name, and then continue along a gentler path up to the Cry d’Er gondola summit station. From here, a path leads eastwards towards Tsa Bonna to access Arpochey and then the famous Col du Pochet, whose ladders allow you to climb up to the ridge. Anyone without a good head for heights can bypass this obstacle by following an alternative path. Follow the ridge to the highest point of your route, the Bella Lui, before beginning your descent. This leads you past the Chetzeron hotel, down to Merbé and eventually to the Arnouvaz restaurant. Finally head back down to the resort to return to the Ycoor ice rink.
Start
Ycoor ice rink, Montana (1498m)
Destination
Ycoor ice rink, Montana (1498m)
Author's recommendation
Enjoy the view of the Lac de Tseuzier and take a photo of the giant letter “N” as you head down to the Chetzeron plateau.
Technical information
Altitude
2539m
1499m
Ascent
+1198m
Descent
-1198m
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Best time of the year
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tags
Getting there
Information
Public transport
From Sierre station, head up to the resort via the SMC funicular or PostBus.
Approach
Follow the A9 motorway to exit 28 (“Sierre-Ouest”), then follow the signs for Crans-Montana to drive up to the resort.
Parking
Various parking options in the vicinity of the Ycoor ice rink.
Source
This activity is brought to you by Valais/Wallis Promotion
