Marmot Trail Crans-Montana: Complete Hiking Guide (2026)

The Marmot Trail in Crans-Montana is a short and easy mountain hike, but the return requires more planning than the trail itself.

The main section connects Cry d’Er with Cabane des Violettes and takes around one hour. Once you reach Violettes, you need to descend by cable car or continue walking towards Vermala or Merbé.

We hiked the trail in June 2026 with our one-year-old daughter in a hiking carrier. A heatwave had settled over the Rhône Valley, but the temperature at around 2,200 metres was much more pleasant.

We originally chose the Marmot Trail for the chance to see marmots. We heard them calling from the slopes but never managed to spot one.

What surprised us most was that this did not make the hike disappointing—the narrow mountainside path and wide views across the valley were easily worth the trip on their own.

Important: The Violettes gondola was not operating during our early-season visit. Instead of continuing to Vermala, we combined the Marmot Trail with part of the Alpine Pasture Crossing and walked from Violettes through Pépinet to the Merbé middle station. This gave us a longer hike while bringing us back to the same cable-car line where we started.

Return and Extension Options

The main Marmot Trail ends at Cabane des Violettes. From there, you have three practical ways to finish the day.

Option from Violettes	Total Walking Distance	Total Walking Time	Difficulty	Best For
Descend by cable car	Around 2.5 km	45–60 minutes	Easy	Families and the shortest option
Continue to Vermala	6.2 km	Around 2 hr 05 min	Moderate	Completing the full official route
Continue to Merbé via Pépinet	Around 7 km	Around 2 hr 40 min	Moderate	More hiking with the easiest return

The walking times do not include breaks, wildlife watching or time spent at Violettes.

Why We Think the Marmot Trail Is Worth It

The biggest advantage of the Marmot Trail is how quickly you reach proper mountain scenery without completing a long climb first. The cable car takes you to Cry d’Er at approximately 2,255 metres, and the views begin almost immediately.

The main path stays high above the Rhône Valley, with a long chain of peaks visible across the opposite side. We could see Mont Blanc, Grand Combin, Dent Blanche, Monte Rosa and the Mischabel range.

What we liked most was the trail itself. It follows a narrow path across rocky and grassy slopes, so it feels like a real mountain hike despite the small amount of elevation gain.

We would recommend it most to families, less experienced hikers and anyone looking for an easy half-day activity around Crans-Montana.

The main downside is the point-to-point layout. Reaching Violettes is simple, but you need to know how you will return before starting—especially outside the main summer season, when some cable cars may still be closed.

Will You Actually See Marmots?

The slopes between Cry d’Er and Cabane des Violettes are considered the best part of the route for spotting marmots. However, seeing them is never guaranteed.

We heard their calls several times but did not see a single marmot. They were likely watching us from the rocks long before we knew where to look.

The best approach is to walk slowly, keep noise to a minimum and scan the rocks and grassy slopes. Marmots are very sensitive to movement and vibrations through the ground, so they often hide before hikers get close.

We would treat a marmot sighting as a bonus rather than the only reason to choose this hike. The trail is still worth completing for the mountain views alone.

Marmot Trail Hiking Map

Our Marmot Trail and Alpine Pasture Crossing Map

When to Hike the Marmot Trail

The practical hiking season usually begins once the trail is clear of snow and the Cry d’Er cable car starts operating. This is generally from mid-June until autumn, but individual lifts do not always open on the same date.

The main trail is open and offers very little shade. Sun protection is still important even when the air feels cooler at altitude.

Starting in the morning gives you more time to watch for marmots and removes some of the pressure of reaching your chosen cable car before its final descent. Mountain weather can also change quickly later in the day.

Always check the live trail status, weather and opening hours of every cable car you plan to use. This is especially important in June, September and October, when one lift may be operating while another remains closed.

Getting to the Marmot Trail

By Public Transport

The exact stop for the trailhead is Crans-Montana, télé Cry d’Er, directly beside the gondola base station, served by bus lines 421, 431, 432, and 433. Use the SBB app to find the next connection to télé Cry d’Er.

The return depends on which route you choose after reaching Violettes.

If you descend using the Violettes gondola, use the stop Crans-Montana, télé Violettes and free shuttle 431. If you continue walking to Vermala, head to the Crans-Montana, Vermala Cervin stop and take the free shuttle 432.

Cable-Car Tickets and Prices

The official summer 2026 fare for a return journey to either Cry d’Er or Violettes is:

• Adults aged 21+: CHF 25
• Youth aged 16–20: CHF 15
• Children aged 6–15: CHF 10
• Children aged 0–5: Free when accompanied by a parent with the same ticket type

The official price list does not publish a separate one-way fare. Ask at the ticket office if you only need a single ascent or descent.

If you plan to ascend to Cry d’Er and descend using the separate Violettes gondola, buy a day pass rather than a return ticket for one cable-car line. During the main summer period from July 4 to September 13, 2026, the pedestrian day pass costs CHF 40 for adults, CHF 30 for youth and CHF 20 for children.

From June 13 to July 3 and from September 14 to October 25, 2026, the standard pedestrian day pass costs CHF 35 for adults, CHF 25 for youth and CHF 15 for children.

My Explorer Card

Guests staying overnight in participating Crans-Montana accommodation receive the My Explorer Card after paying the visitor tax.

From June 13 to July 3 and from September 14 to October 25, 2026, the card includes a free cable-car day pass.

Between July 4 and September 13, 2026, the discounted day pass costs CHF 20 for adults, CHF 15 for youth and CHF 10 for children.

We visited during the free period and collected our lift ticket after presenting the guest card at the ticket office.

Marmot Trail Description

Reaching Cry d’Er

The gondola arrives beside the Cry d’Er Club d’Altitude.

From the gondola station, continue slightly uphill and walk past the main buildings until you reach a yellow hiking signpost. There’s also a view over the Tseuzier Lake.

Pay close attention at the first junction. Two paths continue in almost the same direction. One climbs gently across the upper slope, while the other heads slightly downhill.

Choose the upper trail towards Cabane des Violettes.

Cry d’Er to Cabane des Violettes

The main section from Cry d’Er to Cabane des Violettes takes around 45 minutes to one hour of walking time

Most of the route follows a narrow and rocky path across the mountainside. It includes small climbs and descents but no significant uphill section.

We carried our one-year-old daughter in a hiking carrier and did not find this part physically demanding. The path requires normal attention because of the stones and uneven ground, but it is neither technical nor highly exposed for most of the route.

The wide mountain views remain visible almost the entire way. Far below, you can see the Rhône Valley, while high peaks stretch across the opposite side. The narrow path with the open landscape behind it was also one of the most photogenic sections we hiked around Crans-Montana.

We met only one small group of hikers during this part of the trail. The quiet surroundings made the walk more enjoyable and gave us a better chance of hearing the marmots calling from the rocky slopes.

This is the section where we would slow down and spend more time scanning the area. We heard marmots but could never work out exactly where they were hiding.

Shortly before Violettes, there is a slightly more exposed passage with a fixed chain, followed by a short metal ladder.

Neither obstacle is technically difficult, and we found both manageable with our daughter in the carrier. However, this part may feel uncomfortable if you have a strong fear of heights.

After the ladder, it is only a short walk to the Violettes area.

Cabane des Violettes

Cabane des Violettes marks the end of the main Marmot Trail and the point where you need to decide how to finish the hike.

The Violettes area normally has a restaurant, a large terrace, toilets and the Violettes Express gondola. The open views make it a natural place to stop before continuing.

Everything was closed during our early-season visit, including the toilets. We could still use the terrace area for a short break, but there was no food, water or other service available.

Check whether the facilities are open before the hike and plan accordingly.

How to Continue From Cabane des Violettes

Option 1: Descend by Cable Car

The easiest option is to take the Violettes Express gondola down to Barzettes.

This is the route we would choose for families with younger children walking independently, anyone who only wants the easy one-hour trail or hikers who do not want a long downhill section.

The Violettes gondola does not return you to the Télé Cry d’Er base station. It finishes at Barzettes, on a different side of the resort.

From Barzettes, use the free local shuttle network to return to the Cry d’Er station, your hotel or another part of Crans-Montana.

Option 2: Continue to Vermala via Pépinet

The official full route continues downhill from Violettes through Pépinet and finishes in Vermala.

The complete hike from Cry d’Er to Vermala covers 6.2 km and takes approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes without longer stops.

From Violettes, the trail initially follows a wide paved or gravel-covered service road. It descends quite steeply and feels very different from the narrow mountain path above.

At Pépinet, you pass a small alpine farm with cows and a simple refreshment stand. When we visited, the stand was open and sold cheese, snacks and drinks.

To complete the official route, continue descending from Pépinet towards Vermala. This option involves approximately 550 metres of total descent from Violettes, so it may feel tiring on the knees.

Once you reach Vermala, use the local shuttle network to return to Crans, the Cry d’Er gondola or your accommodation.

Option 3: Continue to Merbé via Pépinet

We chose a third option and combined the Marmot Trail with part of the Alpine Pasture Crossing.

From Violettes, we first followed the same steep service road towards Pépinet. Near the small farm and refreshment stand, we turned right instead of continuing down to Vermala.

From there, we followed the Alpine Pasture Crossing towards Merbé in the opposite direction from the official route.

The extension from Violettes to Merbé is approximately 4.6 km and takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes. It adds roughly 100 metres of ascent and 380 metres of descent.

After leaving Pépinet, the trail follows the mountainside and passes a small pond. It then continues beneath the cable-car line and enters a more forested area.

This section was less panoramic than the main Marmot Trail, but it added variety and provided welcome shade during the hot weather.

The route includes another uphill section and a short passage that feels slightly exposed. It was not frightening, but the extension is noticeably more demanding than the easy path between Cry d’Er and Violettes.

Returning From Merbé

The biggest advantage of this option is the simple return.

The trail finishes directly at the Merbé middle station, which is part of the same Crans–Merbé–Cry d’Er gondola used at the start of the hike.

From Merbé, we boarded the gondola and descended directly to the original starting point in Crans. We did not need to use a bus or travel between two different base stations.

Which Route Should You Choose?

Take the Violettes gondola if you want the shortest and easiest version of the Marmot Trail. It makes the most sense for families with younger children and anyone who mainly wants the panoramic section between Cry d’Er and Violettes.

Continue to Vermala if completing the official route matters to you and you do not mind a long downhill walk. The main trade-off is the amount of descent and the need to use public transport at the end.

We think the Merbé route offers the best balance if you still have enough energy after reaching Violettes. You get more hiking and varied scenery while returning to the same gondola line used at the beginning.

However, check which lifts are running before choosing. The most practical route may change depending on the season.

Facilities Along the Marmot Trail

Facilities are concentrated around the cable-car stations. There are no toilets, water points or places to buy food on the narrow trail between Cry d’Er and Violettes.

The main facilities are:

• Cry d’Er: toilets, bar, terrace and food when operating
• Violettes: restaurant, terrace, toilets and gondola when operating
• Pépinet: small farm and seasonal refreshment stand selling cheese, snacks and drinks
• Merbé: cable-car middle station without any facilities

When we visited in June 2026, the facilities at Violettes were closed while the refreshment stand at Pépinet was open.

Opening days can vary, so carry enough water and food without relying on any individual stop.

Marmot Trail Difficulty

The main Marmot Trail between Cry d’Er and Violettes is easy, with little elevation gain and no long climb.

The path is narrow, rocky and uneven in places, so we would still wear proper hiking shoes rather than smooth trainers.

The only part that may feel uncomfortable is the short secured passage with a chain and metal ladder shortly before Violettes. It is manageable, but the trail is not completely flat or barrier-free.

The extensions to Vermala and Merbé are moderate. The route to Vermala adds a long descent, while the Merbé option includes more varied terrain, another uphill section and a slightly exposed passage.

Where to stay in Crans-Montana

These are the three hotels we’d consider, depending on whether you want the best overall experience, direct mountain access, or a more affordable stay.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Boutique Hotel Panorama — Our Top Pick

We stayed at Boutique Hotel Panorama and would happily recommend it for a hiking trip to Crans-Montana.

The hotel overlooks the Rhône Valley and surrounding mountains, and the terrace quickly became our favorite place to watch the sunset. The panoramic setting is the main reason we would choose it over the other options.

We stayed in a spacious two-bedroom apartment, which worked particularly well for us when traveling with Ema. Having separate bedrooms gave us much more comfort than a standard hotel room.

The hotel also has a spa and fitness area, which was ideal after a day of hiking. We ate at the on-site restaurant as well, and the food was genuinely delicious.

Best for: Families, panoramic views, sunset evenings and extra space after hiking
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⭐️⭐️ Hotel-Restaurant Le Mont Paisible

We’d choose Le Mont Paisible if you want a quieter mountain stay with more than just a convenient location. The hotel has panoramic views over the Rhône Valley, an on-site restaurant, a sauna, massages on request, and free parking. The Violettes cable car is also only a few steps away, making it easy to reach the mountains without driving across the resort.

Best for: Mountain views, useful facilities, and easy cable-car access
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⭐️ Hôtel Historique Chez Elsy

Chez Elsy stands out for its personal atmosphere and original 1960s character. The same family has run the hotel for three generations, and the rooms combine vintage details with modern comforts. Some also have balconies with panoramic mountain views, while the restaurant and terrace give you somewhere relaxed to eat or have a drink without leaving the hotel.

It is also usually the most affordable of our three picks, making it a strong choice if you want character, views, and a smaller family-run stay.

Best for: A personal, character-filled stay at a lower price
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Other Hikes Near Crans-Montana

Bisse du Tsittoret

We would recommend Bisse du Tsittoret as another easier hike with wide mountain views.

The scenery is more varied than on the Marmot Trail, combining a traditional irrigation channel, forest paths, alpine streams, flower-filled meadows and several waterfalls.

Read our complete Bisse du Tsittoret hiking guide.

Bisse du Ro

Choose Bisse du Ro if you want a more adventurous trail.

The path follows an old irrigation channel across steep cliffs and includes wooden sections, a suspension bridge and exposed passages. It is very different from the easier Marmot Trail and less suitable for anyone uncomfortable with heights.

Read our complete Bisse du Ro hiking guide.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The Marmot Trail is one of the strongest easy hikes around Crans-Montana if you want wide mountain views without committing to a demanding climb.

The main section between Cry d’Er and Violettes works particularly well for families and less experienced hikers. Just remember that it is a point-to-point trail, so you need to choose your return route before starting.

We did not see any marmots, but we would still hike it again. The narrow path, pleasant high-altitude temperatures and views across the Rhône Valley made the experience worthwhile without a wildlife sighting.