Plaine-Morte – glacial plateau
Overview
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Hint
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Intro
2 cable cars take you from Crans-Montana to the Plaine Morte glacier, the largest plateau glacier in the Alps, in just over 30 minutes. At the top, an unobstructed view of the Valais mountains and tours over the kilometre-wide ice plain await you.
The Plaine Morte Glacier at a glance
The ice surface of the Plaine Morte glacier measures around 7 square kilometres and is 200 metres thick in places. The name "Plaine Morte" (dead plain) fits well with the large, inhospitable ice surface. This is largely located in the canton of Bern above Lenk in the Simmental. However, it is accessible via 2 mountain railways from Crans-Montana in Valais.
What to experience
Hike roped across the glacier plain (5–6 hours)
With crampons and on the rope of the mountain guide, you walk out onto the glacier. The ice is relatively flat and hardly forms crevasses, which is why the tours require little mountain experience. You can watch the meltwater as it forms gullies and small lakes before it flows north under the glacier into the Simmental.
- Good to know: Crevasses can form at the edge of the glacier. Never go on the ice unsecured.
- Tip: Book your tour early at the ski school in Crans-Montana.
Follow the "Path of Other Time" (15 minutes)
The short nature trail transports you to another geological and historical dimension. He draws attention to the rapid retreat of the glacier and the poetic idea of a future mountain lake in the melting high valley. It is marked by so-called cairns, cairns, which used to serve as signposts in many places.
- Good to know: The path leads about 500 meters over rocky terrain. Wear sturdy shoes.
- Tip: The tower on the top of the mountain belongs entirely to the current time: A weather radar.
Watch the sunrise over the Plaine Morte
In summer, the cable cars from Crans-Montana take you to the mountain station before dawn. From there or at the Pointe de la Plaine Morte, you can look out over the glacier and watch the first rays of sunshine hit the peaks all around. After the nature experience, breakfast awaits you in the restaurant at the mountain station.
- Good to know: You can book through the tourist organisation in Crans-Montana.
- Tip: Take warm clothes with you. At 3000 meters it is cold even in summer.
General information
| Season |
All year
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|---|---|
| Accessibility |
Not accessible
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Discover the surroundings
Address
Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congrès
Route des Arolles 4
3963
Crans-Montana
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)27 485 04 04
information@crans-montana.ch
crans-montana.ch
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