Summer activities in the Alps

Where does one start?

You name it and it’s available close by!

There are regular local markets, fetes and community events throughout the year, check with the local tourist office on arrival or follow the other links on this website.

• Walking and rambling
• Nature trail for children (although adults are allowed to participate too)
• Via Ferrata
• Rock climbing
• Caving
• Mountain biking or VTT
• Cycling
• Horse riding/Pony trekking – at Montriond, St. Jean d’Aulps and Avoriaz
• Paragliding
• Hang-gliding
• Paintball
• Tree’scapdes
• Swimming
• Water sports: Wide range of sailing and diving opportunities around Lake Geneva
• White Water Rafting,  Hydrospeed and Canyoning 
• Montriond Lake Canoë-kayak
• Tennis – there are many courts around – the one in Drouzin le Mont needs to be booked and costs €5 per hour
• Fishing
• Picnics by lake Geneva or any of the many other lakes
• A boat cruise with a steam boat on Lake Geneva from Thonon-les-Bain or Evian to Lausanne
• Visit The Abbaye D’Aulps
• Visit The Devil’s Bridge Gorges
• Visit the many oratories and chapels
• Les Lindarets (the goat village) and the Brochaux Waterfall
• Le Biot-Morzine by donkey
• Montriond Pony rides
• Aerial Runway
• Ice skating and ice hockey in Morzine

For the local events diary, check out the website of the tourist office. The tourist office also provides a bi-weekly free leaflet which is available in the local restaurant with activities in Drouzin le Mont and surrounding villages.

Caving
You’ll be kitted out like a real caver with a helmet, harness, acetylene torch (on your helmet) and bodysuit.
Discover this pastime in all its guises, as you make progress from your first cave, perhaps trying aquatic caving and a more sporting alternative: exploring the Haute-Savoie’s sinkholes. There’s something for everyone!Balmier Sport en Nature (www.sports-nature.net) organises half and full day caving trips all year round.

Tree’scapdes

Travel from tree to tree with zip-wires, rope bridges, tunnels, rope ladders and sky walks…
Open from the beginning of April. There are 3 circuits with different levels at Les Dérèches – 74110 Morzine
• Tél. : 04 50 49 48 60
• Fax : 04 50 49 48 60
• Web : indianaventures.com

 

White Water Rafting and Hydrospeed
White Water Rafting and Hydrospeed are available close by. There are several local companies that will happily arrange things for you, such as 7 Aventures.

 

Canyoning
An adventure along the river bed with ropes and harnesses. Slip down natural slides created by the waterfalls! Activity done from April to October.
Several of the mountain rivers are suitable for this sport, which includes abseiling, jumping and natural toboggans. Please bring trainers and trunks/swimming costume; suitable for children over 12 years.

www.7adventures.com
www.sports-nature.net

Montriond Lake Canoë-kayak
Canoë-kayak hiring or private lessons with an instructor at Lake Montriond. Only in the summer season.
 
Canoë hiring (2011/2012 season)
 - 1/2h : 8€
 - 1h : 14€

Kayak hiring
 - 1/2h : 5€
 - 1h : 8€

Contact Nicolas Camuset
Lac de Montriond – Domaine du Baron – 74110 Montriond
+33 (0)6 88 70 17 67 

Fishing
The fishing season runs from March to October. There are many sites in the Dranse, at the Jotty Dam and the mountain lakes (Montriond, Mines d’Or, etc.).
Fishing permits are obligatory in both rivers and lakes. Find more details for fishing locations and regulations here.

 

Visit the many oratories and chapels

The Vallée d’Aulps has a vast selection of oratories and chapels, estimated at more than 100. Some are open to visitors, not least the neo-classical Sardinian-style churches of la Forclaz, La Baume, Le Biot and Essert-Romand. There are guided tours available in English of Le Biot, Montriond and Essert-la-Pierre, please call 04 50 04 52 63.

Les Lindarets and the Brochaux Waterfall

A must for anyone hoping to see a real goat village where the animals roam untethered around the traditional wooden chalets. Up to Les Lindarets, discover the Brochaux waterfall, 15-30 minutes walk from Les Lindarets.

Le Biot-Morzine by donkey

Follow in the footsteps of smugglers and gold hunters on Morzine’s ancients pathways with a donkey to do the hard yards!
www.rando-anes.net

Montriond Pony rides

Pony rides in the magnificent setting of Lake Montriond.
- 1/2h : 8€
- 1h : 15€

Contact Catherine Wendling
Lac de Montriond – 74110 Montriond
+33 (0)6 88 81 31 56
http://www.ranchdulac-lesgets.com/

For you adrenaline junkies, Chatel also has one of the longest, fastest aerial runways in the world – the Fantasticable. It crosses over a valley with riders achieving speeds up to 60 mph.