The Marmot Trail in Vercorin: a nature-and-games descent for families

A descent to meet the marmots

Above Vercorin, on the sunny heights overlooking the Rhône valley plain, the Marmot Trail starts at Crêt-du-Midi (reached by cable car) and goes down to the intermediate station of Sigeroulaz. Entirely downhill, it takes about an hour — a little more if you linger at the games. Seven playful and educational stations line the path to introduce children to the world of marmots and test their skill. A lovely way to walk in the mountains without the little ones noticing the time go by.

What your children will discover

Along the trail, children get to know the marmot — its burrow, its habits, its warning calls — through panels and skill games spread over seven stations. The scenery changes at every stretch: rocky sections with panoramic views over the Valais Alps, then arolla pine forest and wooded pastures. With a little luck and a little quiet, you can spot real marmots in the pastures.

What you do and the atmosphere on site

You take the cable car up to Crêt-du-Midi (where you can stop at the mountain restaurant), then make your way gently downhill, station after station. The atmosphere is that of a real mountain outing, in the fresh air and with no uphill effort since it's all downhill. At the end, in Sigeroulaz, the Forêt Aventures treetop adventure park lets you extend the day.

Before you go

• Recommended age: as a family, ideal for children from age 4-5
• Duration: about 1 hour downhill (more with the games)
• Route: downhill only, from Crêt-du-Midi to Sigeroulaz; mountain trail, rocky in places
• Getting there: Chalais–Vercorin cable car, then Vercorin–Crêt-du-Midi cable car
• What to bring: good walking shoes, water, sun protection
• Price: free-access trail; budget for the cable-car ticket (check the fares)
• Best season: summer and autumn

Parents' tips

• Wear good shoes: the trail is rocky in places.
• As the route is all downhill, it's ideal for little legs — but still plan some breaks.
• Stay quiet in the pastures for a chance to spot the marmots.
• Combine it with the Forêt Aventures park at Sigeroulaz for a full day.
• Check the cable-car times and fares on the official website before heading up.

Useful information

• Start: Crêt-du-Midi (cable car), 3967 Vercorin — finish at Sigeroulaz
• Official website: vercorin.ch
• Getting there: from Chalais (near Sierre), cable car to Vercorin then Crêt-du-Midi
• Cable-car times / fares: see the official website
• Nearby: Forêt Aventures treetop park (Sigeroulaz), Crêt-du-Midi restaurant

Why we recommend it

Because it's the ideal mountain walk with children: an effortless descent, paced by seven marmot games, in a setting of alpine pastures and arolla pine forest above the Rhône valley plain. Real Valais nature, on a child's scale.

In a nutshell

A nature-and-games descent from Crêt-du-Midi to Sigeroulaz, in Vercorin, with seven marmot game stations — perfect for families in summer and autumn.