Sports and adventure
13 walks to do with children!
To introduce the very young to hiking, it’s best to play the discovery card. The resorts have designed easy, fascinating family trails that will allow them to walk without even realising it!
Hiking is for all ages! If you’re heading to the mountains with your children this summer, you’ll see that it’s possible to share the pleasure of walking as a family, as long as you choose the right itineraries. We’ve picked out thirteen that will turn your little ones into budding hikers!
Hiking with children
Easier and more fun routes
Le Sauze
#1 – Treasure hunts for children
Spend some fun family time with the five treasure hunts organised by Le Sauze Tourist Office. These adventures take you along different routes, with charades, riddles, games and more on the programme.
Praz sur Arly
#2 – The smugglers’ trail
Based on the history of the region, with a comic strip as a guide, this hike takes children on a treasure hunt in the mountains. There are fun signs to help you find a secret code and solve a riddle at the top of the Crêt du Midi chairlift.
Two hours of family fun at 1700 m altitude, and you too can find Fanfouétomas’ treasure!
The Angles
#3 – The lair of mysteries
Discover the wetlands in the ski area. Why do these areas exist? Why are they so important? Take part in a fun and educational hike and discover these places inhabited by tribes.
Free for children aged 4 and over. Duration: 2 hours.
Peisey Vallandry
#4 – On the trail of the Ermine
Armed with a map and posts to look for, part of the Rosuel plateau, at the gateway to the Vanoise National Park, at the foot of a high-altitude glacial cirque, becomes a veritable playground! Based on the activity of orienteering, the route is to be completed independently, alone or with the family, in the form of a game.
With the help of a detailed map, the walker sets off to discover the natural and cultural treasures: the fauna, flora and history of the site.
In the footsteps of mountain animals
An experience for all the family
Vars
#5 – The Grouse Trail
The Tétras trail has been specially created and adapted for children and families, giving them a fun way to discover the Val d’Escreins. It’s a nature reserve with a valley floor that opens onto the ruins of the old village, whose chapel has been restored.
Desks mark out the route, explaining life in days gone by and the riches of the Val (duration 1h15).
Les Houches
#6 – Le Parc de Merlet
What could be more fantastic for children than to be able to meet their favourite mountain animals in this park situated at an altitude of 1500m? The programme includes activities on mountain life and the “antlers and horns” of the animals that our little ones love so much.
Saint-Gervais Mont-Blanc
#7 – On the trail of Charlotte the Marmot
This new family itinerary invites you to discover all the secrets of the mountain along a trail adapted for the very young. With a magnificent view of the Mont Blanc massif, you can learn all about the animals that live in the mountains, such as the ermine, the chocard and the marmot, as well as the mountain flora, using fun panels. It’s sure to be an instructive walk for all the family!
Focus
The Family Plus label
For a successful and unforgettable family holiday, choose a Famille Plus resort.
Resorts with the FAMILLE PLUS label scrupulously meet 110 precise requirements and 6 commitments to make your family holidays a success.
By the lakes
the ultimate family hike
Alpe d’Huez
#8 – Lakes loop
La ronde des lacs (lacs Besson, Noir, Faucille and Carrelet) is a family-friendly loop hike ideal for beginners and families with young children.
Saint François Longchamp
#9 – Blue and White Lakes Hike
This hike is a must for all the family. It takes around 2? hours to reach a superb viewpoint over the lakes.
Saint Sorlin d’Arves
#10 – The little lakes
The Lacs Guichard, Potron and Laitelet are set in an incredible landscape and are perfect for a little stroll with the kids, a picnic or a day’s fishing. Easy 15-minute walk.
Children’s walk with a view
A feast for the eyes
Les Gets
#11 – A breath of fresh air with the kids
The Balcons du Mont Chery trail partly overlooks the idyllic village of Les Gets, with its majestic view of the entire Mont Blanc range. You start at the top of the Mont Chéry cable car and follow the tree-lined footpath to the village and the Mont Caly mountain pastures with their typical Savoyard chalets. This itinerary is not very difficult and has little difference in altitude, making it ideal for a family walk.
Risoul (Hautes-Alpes)
#12 – L’Homme de Pierre
The L’Homme de Pierre lookout is an easy hike for the whole family to enjoy, with a great view of the Écrins, Lake Serre-Ponçon and the other peaks in the Forêt Blanche area. A great way to warm up before tackling other hikes! Camera recommended for unforgettable memories!
Bonus: plenty of picnic areas along the trail and a high-altitude restaurant at the summit.
Art walks for children
Discover art in nature
Le Mont Dore
#13 – Horizons Sancy
A veritable open-air art gallery, HORIZONS can be discovered free of charge, map in hand, on walks that take you right up close to the works of art. Ephemeral, contemporary, life-size installations that enhance the volcanic landscape of the Sancy.
From 12 June to 19 September 2021
