What an incredible view! Take a few moments to sit down on the bench at Les Echerts and admire the landscape. Between the Grand Bonvin and Petit Bonvin mountains you can make out the peak of the Trubelstock, which acts as a border between the French and German languages. In front of it, you will see the residential tower blocks in Aminona, and the bell tower of the church in Crételles poking out through the forest below. This church is a pilgrimage site devoted to Our Lady of the Snows, whose feast day is 5 August. Why is Our Lady of the Snows celebrated in the middle of summer, you ask? The explanation relates to a miracle: in the fifth century, on the day a sanctuary to the Virgin Mary was due to be consecrated, a fine layer of snow fell on the hill in Rome where the sanctuary had been built.
From here, you can also admire the forests of the Grande Bourgeoisie de la Noble Contrée, comprised of Randogne, Mollens, Venthône, Miège and Veyras.
This area is lusher, alternating beautifully between pine trees, fir trees and deciduous trees such as the downy oak. Allow your gaze to drop to the undergrowth and you’ll notice botanical curiosities that include several species of orchid, such as the white helleborine, the bird’s nest orchid and the Violet Limodore. You might also meet some local animals such as foxes along the way, not to mention the deer that tend to favour the forest. The area is a truly rich and impressive biotope.
Les Echerts is also a kingdom of mountain streams: the Loquette, the Bonne-Eau and the Vanire all roar down the slope once the snow starts to melt. In summer, they are somewhat more discreet, and the water’s song reduces to a murmur.
You will make your way across these streams on beautiful bridges that were built by the local foresters. Between Les Echerts and Le Boup, you’ll reach the “Repojiour” path, which offers a route straight down to Montana-Village. It can be tackled by foot or, for thrill seekers, by downhill mountain bike! It is also the only exit connecting you to the trail’s northern or southern part.
To the west, you will cross the impressive chasm of Le Boup, while the road to the east will take you to the hamlet that was known as Nayes in the territory of Randogne until the merger that created the municipality of Crans-Montana in 2017.
