29 July 2021
Hiking is the ideal summer activity in Crans-Montana. No matter what the reason for your trip, all guests find time to slip into their walking shoes and set off to discover the magnificent natural landscapes around the destination. We set off to meet Pascale Haegler, mountain guide for the Colombire Hamlet, so that she could tell us about her love of hiking.
So as not to disturb her in the middle of a hike, we met up with Pascale Haegler, mountain leader, on a rainy day. However we underestimated her…this energetic, nature-loving woman is in the middle of picking alpine herbs when we arrive. "There's no such thing as bad weather, there's always something to do in the mountains," explains the former journalist, who has traded in her pen and made nature her office.
A Valais native from Riddes, now living in the Val d'Anniviers, Pascale is a passionate hiker whose philosophy is to help hikers from all over the world discover the natural, cultural and gastronomic wealth of our mountains. And the Crans-Montana region lends itself perfectly to this. "When I walk with people that are here for the first time, their reaction to the Crans-Montana views is always the same: Wow! They are blown away by the wonderful views over the ‘imperial crown’ of the Alps. It reminds us how lucky we are to be living in the heart of this magnificent landscape.
While the spectacular panoramic views are undoubtedly the common thread on all the hikes in Crans-Montana, every walk is different and everyone can enjoy the variety on offer. "I really like the walks along the ‘bisses’ (irrigation streams). These cultural relics, evidence of the human efforts to "hang water on the mountain", offer great opportunities for walks, and can be adapted to any level. Public transport in the region is also an undeniable plus, helping you to easily reach a start point or to get back, which means everyone can enjoy hiking in the mountains.” In fact, in Crans-Montana, you can juggle between the funicular and 3 bus routes from the valley, plus a network of free shuttle buses between the resort and an altitude of 1,850m, as well as the ski lifts which are open all year round.
So there’s no such thing as a typical day in the life of a mountain leader. "Every day is different, it depends on the theme of the hike and the group we’re leading. Whether it's learning how to pick edible plants and cook witches’ soup with children, or a really magical night hike followed by a night under the stars with a group of friends, or a simple guided walk with a couple of tourists, it's the link between people and nature that motivates Pascale. "Every time, it’s the first contact and how I look after the group that’s very important in order to make everyone feel at ease from the start, and it’s vital to be attentive to each person at all times, so I can adapt and anticipate any concerns about fatigue, injury or dehydration on a hike.”
Preparation is also an essential part of spending a great day in the mountains. "For each outing, I prepare a list of equipment suited to the hike and the weather. The most important thing is shoes, they absolutely must have good soles. You should also remember to take water, and it's always good to have a little snack with you - a bar of something or dried fruit for example.”
On Pascale's favourite route, there’s no need to take a big backpack, as you can enjoy all the beauty of nature but there are also several options for gourmet breaks along the way. "The Tsittoret bisse" offers numerous possibilities for walks, and there are endless stories to tell about its construction, the typical flora in the region, the Alpine traditions and Hérens cows, cheesemaking, transhumance etc. It’s also nice to have several mountain restaurants where you can try delicious local products. I really like to integrate this aspect of culture and tradition into my tours, and the clients appreciate this introduction.” With the Colombire Hamlet and the Cave du Scex, the Tsittoret bisse has two very welcoming places where you can learn more about these subjects, in particular at the Colombire Ecomuseum, which offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the life of our ancestors, their way of life and their traditions.
Beyond the cultural and historical part, it is also the natural landscapes of the bisse that make it a unique route. "I like the Tsittoret bisse very much, I find that it’s a bisse which is soothing but which also has its own character, because it’s not all flat. Starting from Barzettes, you begin with a climb where the water is quite turbulent, then you have a pretty waterfall and then it flattens out as far as the Cave Du Scex before heading into the wild Tièche valley."
When you hear Pascale talk, you immediately want to put on your walking shoes and set on an adventure. And why not? The Tsittoret walk is accessible to everyone, and you can set off from the centre of the resort, from Barzettes, or even from the Colombire Hamlet. And if you’d like to really make the most of it, Pascale is delighted to share her love of the mountains and nature in organised group or individual walks.
