Sports and adventure
11 free (or almost) mountain activities to do this summer
You don’t need a big budget to go on holiday in the mountains this summer. As well as the inevitable walks, the resorts offer their visitors a host of free mountain activities, to be enjoyed without moderation.
100% free mountain activities
Hiking to clear your head
Of course, this is the summer mountain activity par excellence, and requires nothing more than good equipment.
There are numerous routes starting from the resorts, so you can choose what suits you best in terms of time, difficulty and gradient. The vast majority of mountain tourist offices offer small booklets listing local paths and hikes, known as topos.
Themed trails for fun outings
Many resorts now have themed trails in the mountains, to accompany hikers on their excursions but also to offer younger visitors a fun mountain activity.
At La Mongie (Grand Tourmalet), for example, a 6km trail introduces visitors to the fauna, flora and geology of one of the most remote areas of the Pyrenean Baronnies.
At Isola 2000, in the Alpes-Maritimes, discover the ancestral chestnut grove along a trail of riddles.
AtAlbiez-Montrond, in Savoie, children are in for a treat with a trail of legends, in the footsteps of Gargantua.
Visiting cheese dairies to awaken your taste buds
The advantage of being in the mountains is that you’re as close as possible to the small local producers. So why not take the opportunity to discover all the secrets behind the production of these much-loved products?
In Métabief, in the Jura, before enjoying a piece of Comté cheese, head for the back shop of the Sancey-Richard cheese dairy to see how this famous cheese is made!
In Flumet, in the Val d’Arly in Savoie, the Cooperative is opening its doors to the public, with a free museum area and guided tours (booking required). A tasty mountain activity!
Discovering our cultural heritage
What if your time in the mountains was synonymous with culture? Yes, it’s not just down in the valley that you can find cultural and heritage treasures. A mountain activity in its own right, discovering the secrets and past histories of the peaks can be an enriching part of your holiday.
An architectural tour of Les Arcs will delight those with a passion for town planning.
At Le Grand Bornand, in Haute-Savoie, heritage guides will take you on a summer discovery of pastoral traditions.
Challenge yourself with orienteering
Another popular mountain activity in summer is orienteering. With the help of a map (obtained from tourist office websites or directly from the tourist office) and a compass, you have to find markers in the countryside, which can help you solve a riddle or simply sharpen your sense of direction.
At Saint-Lary Soulan, in the Pyrenees, there are 3 routes for young and old, including one accessible to pushchairs.
At Le Lioran, in the Cantal, the trails are more challenging.
A refreshing swim
Away from the crowds on Mediterranean beaches, you can also take it easy this summer in the mountains. For sunbathing or taking a dip, mountain lakes and ponds are the perfect spot. For example, sunbathing on the shores of Lake Gérardmer, the largest natural lake in the Vosges, is still a very popular free mountain activity.
A feast for the eyes at events
In summer, the mountains often play host to a wide range of events. It’s an opportunity to discover new disciplines or simply to enjoy a variety of shows.
Every year, the Tour de France thrills pass lovers with its famous mountain stages, including the legendary Col du Tourmalet and the 21 bends ofAlpe d’Huez.
Night-time shows, fireworks displays and concerts are organised by the resorts to delight young and old alike.
Tons of multi-activity possibilities
At Les Deux Alpes, in Isère, you’ll find free access to football and beach volleyball pitches, badminton and table tennis matches, and the tourist office lends racquets and balls free of charge.
Other activities that won’t cost you a penny include a one-hour muscle-building session from Monday to Friday during the school holidays and access to the skate park.
Méribel also offers access to multi-sports, petanque and tennis courts. For more information, contact your local tourist office.
Activities offered by the entertainment department
To make sure you’re on top of the mountain activities this summer, check with your resort’s entertainment department. Generally speaking, programmes are offered week after week of activities for young and old alike.
Whether you’re looking for a hands-on or sporting experience, an introductory day, a show or a chance to chat, there’s sure to be something to suit you.
Low-cost mountain activities
Via ferrata for a little adrenalin
The via ferrata is a route combining hiking and climbing along a cable, to which you are permanently attached by a carabiner. It’s a mountain activity that’s all the rage. Bars, footbridges and other ladders are installed along the route to make climbing easier. Access to the course is free, with equipment (harness, helmets, lanyards and karabiners) at your own expense (around ten euros).
More or less challenging routes are available at Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, La Colmiane and Font-Romeu.
FOCUS
Pass loisirs cards
A host of destinations offer leisure cards. How do they work? Buy a card, the cost of which varies from destination to destination, and you’ll have access to a whole range of activities. It’s the ideal way to indulge in all your favourite mountain activities: archery, mountain biking, golf, water sports, etc.
In Tignes, for example, for any stay of at least one night in a MyTignes partner accommodation, your activity card is free, giving you access to the bike park, the crazy airbag, the lagoon pool, squash and much more for free! You can also buy this card.
At La Clusaz, if you book accommodation with one of our partners, you can opt for the “Enfant Roi” card, which gives you unlimited access to the ski lifts, summer sledging, golf, ice rink and much more (for children under 12). A real plus for families.