The Alpage de Corbyre is a working mountain pasture above Crans-Montana where 110 Hérens cows graze each summer. Spread over 66 hectares between 1,650 m and 2,000 m, this alpine farm gives visitors a taste of traditional pastoral life. You can visit the rustic milking shed in early morning (around 5:30–6:00) to watch the cows being milked and cheese being crafted over a wood fire – an eye-opening experience of Swiss heritage. Throughout the day, a small buvette (farm café) in a Mongolian yurt offers farm-fresh refreshments: think fresh milk, sérac (whey cheese) on rustic bread, homemade blueberry tart, and of course raclette cheese melted on potatoes, all produced right there on the alp. The atmosphere is wonderfully informal – you might share a table with the farmer’s family or help feed the calves.

Also mid June you can witness the Swiss tradition of Inalpes here at the Alpage de Corbyre.

Activity Level: Easy – short walk to reach the pasture; interactive if you choose (kids can sometimes pet the calves or try milking a demo cow).

Getting There: It’s about a 15-minute walk from the top of the Arnouva cable car to Corbyre alp. Simply follow signs for “Alpage de Corbyre.” Alternatively, drive 10 min from Crans to Plans-Mayens/Marolires and walk 20 min on a gentle trail. Organized visits (“Morning at the Corbyre pasture”) meet directly at the alp at 7:00.

Seasonality: Open roughly mid-June to mid-September, when the cows are on the alp (about 100 days). The buvette operates on fine weather days (generally Wed–Sun, 10:00–17:00). Milking visits occur daily at dawn and late afternoon.

Practical Tips: Wear sturdy shoes – it’s a farm, so expect mud and cow pies. No reservations needed for casual visits, but guided tours (with cheese tasting breakfast) can be booked via Crans-Montana Tourism. If driving up for the Inalp or Désalp festivals (when cows ascend in June or descend in Sept adorned with flowers and bells), go early – parking is limited and these folkloric events draw crowds.