Five must-do family activities
Presentation
From family mountain bike trails to some of the best easy-access walking trails in France, the Portes du Soleil is a haven for families looking for summer adventure. Whether you are a regular visitor to the valley or this is your first time, here are five must-do family activities in Morzine you don't want to miss.
1. Family mountain bike trails
Morzine might boast some of the most technical bike trails in the Alps, but it's not all about huge berms and thrilling jumps – there are also plenty of mellow family mountain bike trails to explore.You'll find beautifully sculpted green and blue trails up at Super Morzine. The green-rated Seraussaix trail is ideal for children and beginners, with small rollers, whoops and gentle berms that weave in and out of the trees. Serviced by the Seraussaix chairlift you can lap it to your heart's content. There are several blue runs to progress onto; Tutti Frutti is a cult classic – a twisty blue for perfecting your turns on some of the smoothest dirt in the Portes du Soleil. Family mountain bike trails don't get more fun than this.
Meanwhile, the new pump track at the top of the Pleney gondola, with its gentle rollers, is an ideal spot for smaller kids to get their first taste of a bike park.
Not all of Morzine’s family mountain bike trails require taking a lift. The Parc des Dérèches in the centre of town is perfect for biking, with wide, flat trails taking you past the stables and over the wooden bridges that crisscross the River Dranse.
2. Swimming – in pools and in the wild
True to its name, the Portes du Soleil boasts long days of warm sunshine in summer, with temperatures reaching the late 20Cs. After a day spent exploring the local family mountain bike trails, cool off with a swim at the Parc des Dérèches pool. There is an Olympic-sized pool for doing laps, as well as is a paddling pool with water games and an 80m waterslide. For opening times see.If wild swimming is more your thing, there are some beautiful lakes in the Portes du Soleil that are open for bathing. Lake Montriond is a favourite among locals, surrounded by dramatic cliffs and with a smaller lake adjacent that is ideal for children. There are kayaks and paddle boards for rent, as well as a large wooden playpark and new mini golf course. Take a picnic, find a spot under the trees and make a day of it.
3. Best walking trails in France
With its extensive lift network serving a myriad of designated walking routes, Morzine is home to some of the best walking trails in France. Take the Nyon cable car, just a two-minute drive from Morzine town centre, and you'll find yourself up on the Nyon plateau. From here you can follow a trail to the Pointe de Nyon summit (or families with small children can take the chairlift).From the top, you can access "Pas de l'Aigle", a 15-metre glass footbridge with a 360-degree panorama. Then you can keep going with your hike.There is a lovely trail to Lac de Nyon Guérin. The views to Mont Blanc on a clear day are exceptional.
You'll find more fantastic vistas up on Super Morzine. Take the Super Morzine gondola followed by the Zore chairlift, then set off on an easy-rated 5km loop, which leads to a lookout point over Lac Montriond.
Experiencing some of the best walking trails in France by lift needn't cost a fortune – pick up a Multi Pass for as little as €2 per person per day and you get free access to 10 lifts.
For some people, the best walking trails in France are the ones where they follow a guide, learning about the flora and fauna as they go. There are weekly guided walks taking place in Morzine – ask the tourist office for details.
For a low-key trail accessible from the centre of town, Chemin de Renard takes some beating. It winds its way along the Dranse from the fire station all the way to Nyon waterfall, with various panels en route detailing the life of the fox and other animals in the area.
4. Summer luge
The summer luge is a guaranteed hit with children of all ages – and parents too. It is accessed via the La Crusaz chairlift in the centre of Morzine and winds it way down the left-hand side of the Pleney slopes.The luge is like a big dry waterslide that you slide down in a sledge. Best of all, it is up to you how fast you go – either engage the sledge breaks for a leisurely cruise down the hill, or go full throttle for an adrenaline-fuelled descent. There are two runs to choose from: La Cool, which is a 800m track, or the 900m La Super, which has up to 16 banked turns.
5. High ropes adventure park
Ever wondered what it would be like to be Tarzan, swinging freely through the trees? You can do just this at the high ropes adventure park. There are two to choose from – one at Nyon, the other at the Parc des Dérèches. Wearing a harness, and with ropes to clip onto the wires, you follow the course over wobbly bridges, rope swings and zip wires. There are several levels, from an easy green-rated children's course up to a thrilling black-rated course.For families keen to up the adrenaline, there is also canyoning at Nyon. Dressed in a wetsuit, a guide will lead down the canyon, where you will wade through gorges, abseil and slide down natural slides, and jump into waterfalls.
Time to sleep....
After a day spent lapping family mountain bike trails, or exploring the finest walking trails in France, you'll need a good, comfy bed to retire to. Morzine accommodation ranges from town-centre apartments to up-in-the-hills chalets, with everything in between. Check out Morzine Réservation for deals on all Morzine accommodation.For more information on family mountain bike trails, the best walking trails in France and how to book your Morzine accommodation.