Chamonix valley, a great place for bikes

There is so much to do with your bike in Chamonix!

Many cols are available if you want to challenge yourself, but also some nice itineraries to discover the valley !

Some are accessible departing from the hotel :

Col des Montets, average difficulty, 30 minutes to go up.

Barrage d'Emosson, where the Tour de France 2017 passed, more difficult

Col de la Forclaz to discover Switzerland, average difficulty

Chamonix, the trail valley

Chamonix Valley is the ideal place for trail running and is well-known for 2 mountain trails: Mont-Blanc Marathon which occurs at the end of June and the Mont-Blanc Ultra Trail ® at the end of August.

We offer packages for those two events with buffet breakfast for a good start before the run, and also after-sport massages to recover after the effort.

For young or elderly people, beginners or experienced walkers, there is a path for everyone in Chamonix. Hiking is the best way to discover the valley and the splendid views it has to offer. You can use the lifts to make the most of the views without getting too exhausted, but there is also a wide range of day tracks for the fit people! (Maps and advice are available at the reception desk).

This is the itinerary we suggest for a day trip combining the visit of two of the most legendary sites in Chamonix, with a nice family hike through the mountains. Go up to the incomparable Aiguille du Midi, perched at 3842m in altitude, and get ready to be blown away by the unique views of Mont-Blanc and the surrounding peaks and glaciers.

he Lac Blanc is one of the great hiking classics in the valley and has good reasons to be ! The view over the Mont-Blanc is exceptional ! The easiest way to access the Lac Blanc is to get the lift up to Flégere from the village of les Praz.

The buvette du Chapeau is the end of a nice walk from the Lavancher or even from Lognan cable car at Grands Montets.

The track is going up steadily through the pine forest to the Mer de Glace, where you can get a refreshment after a hot summer day!

From Vallorcine, a two-hour hike through the trees leads up to alpine pastures with some of the most spectacular views on the Mont-Blanc mountain range. You can stop at Loriaz refuge for a rest and a snack, an evening meal or even to spend the night, in order to climb up higher the next day ! Loriaz can also be reached by crossing over from Emosson dam, in Switzerland.

An exceptional trek 200 km around the Mont Blanc range, which can be done in 7 to 10 days passing through Italy, Switzerland and France. It is suitable for all trained hill-walkers who are used to hiking on varied terrain, carrying a heavy backpack.We strongly recommend inexperienced hill-walkers to join a club or a group led by a mountain leader.

If you are looking for a cultural experience, we would recommend a visit at the Pierre Giannada foundation in Martigny : the permanents collection and the temporary exhibitions are showcasing important masterpieces of art. It is a pleasure to wander in the garden in the middle of the collection of sculptures.

Continue the day with a moment of peace and rest in Saillon or Lavey, under the sun or the sun, enjoy big swimming pools of thermal water, whirlpools, saunas, steam rooms. Such a great well-being experience!

To go to Italy you can either go through the Mont-Blanc tunnel or go via Switzerland and the Grand St Bernard's pass, a longer but very scenic route which leads to the Aosta valley and Courmayeur. Discover nice hiking tracks: the Val Ferret offers many itineraries for each level, from families to mountaineer, to enjoy different settings. Learn how to fish and try to catch a trout, or just savour one at the Lavachey restaurant.

If you wish to wander in town, discover the atmosphere and the history of Chamonix, you have several possibilities.

Take the cable car to the Aiguille du Midi and admire the view at 3842m high. Or take the train to the famous Mer de Glace at 1913m.

You can go shopping , have a cup of tea in a tearoom, eat in nice restaurants...

The Espace Tairraz is an interactive museum, ideal to visit with children. At the moment you will discover an exhibition about alpinism, its history, technics, modern use... Visitors will take the role of an alpinist through the An educational and fun space. They will manipulate the mountains that were the main goal of alpinist and understand the itineraries. They will organize an expedition to remote summits. They will clim famous faces with the only rock climbing simulator in the world. They will experience the void, use the tools of an alpinist, discover the history of this activity.

If you want to try something slightly different, there is a paragliding starting point in the middle of the two cable cars of the Aiguille du Midi at "plan de l'Aiguille". Another thrilling activity is the "step into the void". Enter in a glass cube hung 1000 meters over the rocks walls and admire the view over Chamonix and the surroundings.

As Chamonix is not far from Italy, you could go for a quick escape to Italy with the "Panoramic" gondolas. They drive you to Helbronner where you have the view from the Italian side. It is only opened in summer. The Saussurea alpine garden must be visited for plant lovers.

Chamonix has much to offer for a fun family holiday! The fun park at les Planards which includes a summer luge on rails, slides, trampolines and other games is great fun for children. On a rainy day, you can enjoy the swimming pool, ice-rink, cinema or any of the various museums, and find out lots about alpine culture, mountaineering, etc.

As well as these activities located in the centre of Chamonix, the surrounding villages also offer various entertainment possibilities for children.

As well as these activities located in the centre of Chamonix, the surrounding villages also offer various entertainment possibilities for children. There is a playground located in the forest near Argentiere, 10/15 minutes walk away from the hotel. In les Praz, a few minutes walk from the golf course is “le paradis des Praz”, an enchanting play area in a clearing in the midst of the forest. With a stream running through, games, swings, and tobbogans, pony rides and ice-creams it truly is a heavenly place for children!

Last but not least, Merlet animal park, above Les Houches is a kind of small mountain wildlife safari which allows children and adults alike to discover alpine animals, such as bouquetins, chamois, marmottes, and even llamas (these are admittedly not that local)! The park also boasts a beautiful view on Mont-Blanc. There is an easy path through the park which is accessible to pushchairs, as well as a longer circuit (about 2 hrs long). More information about Merlet animal park. After all this activites, benefits from a whole and relaxing rest in a spa hotel in Chamonix.