Marmot Trail

In the Crans-Montana region, the marmot is the mascot of the area. The portion of territory it has most colonized includes the Cry d'Er sector, Bellalui, Tsa Bona, Col de Pochet, south face of the Tubang, Cabane des Violettes, Pépinet, Houlès. It is within this perimeter that the animal has best adapted to human pressure. Apparently, this has not affected the species: with everyone passing through (pedestrians, skiers, cars, snow groomers, bicycles, cable transport, summer grazing cattle), the marmot is still there and very present. In this region, it goes about its activities while maintaining very attentive awareness of its surroundings: the placement of its eyes allows it to see the upper hemisphere above its head in almost totality, except for a very narrow blind cone at the rear. It is quite difficult to surprise it. Its great sensitivity to ground vibrations informs it with quite reliable precision about what might approach, even before it has seen anything coming. Between Cry d'Er and the Cabane des Violettes, along the trail, is the most suitable place for it. The terrain slope is quite steep, which means the ground absorbs a large amount of energy related to its sun exposure. As a result, warmth is available until very late in the evening and early in the spring. This is a sparsely rocky scree zone, where hiding places are plentiful. Every large stone is a lookout point for parents, both to monitor the young's escapades and to spot the arrival of foxes, humans, or eagles from afar. In terms of food, there's plenty: the grass is tender, abundant, and varied. And here and there, underneath some limestone blocks, water flows from small springs. Upon arrival at Cabane des Violettes, several options are available for continuing your hike. You can either return to the resort by cable car or descend via the path crossing the Pépinet alpine pasture. There you will be facing the highest Alpine peaks over 4,000 meters. On the far right, the highest dome is Mont Blanc, then moving left, you have the Grand Combin, straight ahead is the crown of the five 4,000-meter peaks of Anniviers with, behind, the Matterhorn, black square to the left of the Dent Blanche. Further right is the Monte Rosa, and the Mischabel chain. The descent ends at Vermala, from where public transport departs to return to your accommodation or car.