Multi Activity Holiday in Morzine
This is the perfect holiday for those who have got a bit of get up and go, a lust for life, and fancy a challenge trying various adventure activities over the course of a week.
A typical adventure week itinerary could include:
White water rafting; paragliding; climbing; mountain biking; trekking; via ferrata; canyoning.....and much more
Road biking in Morzine is a must. Follow the routes of the Tour de France and enjoy the spectacular scenery of the French Alps open up in front of your wheels....
Mountain Biking in Morzine
is in the centre of the Portes du Soleil region, and has fast become the No.1 European location for mountain biking, being on the World Cup circuit for both downhill and trial races. 24 interlinked ski-lifts, adapted to carry mountain bikes, operate in the area to help you gain access to over 650 kilometres of marked bike trails. This makes the Portes du Soleil, the largest lift-linked mountain bike circuit in the world!
Cross Country & Freeride trails
The Portes du Soleil which links France and Switzerland, offers marked routes and itineraries for all levels of ability. Whether its biking trails for family rides, or more extreme x-country and freeride routes you’re after, there is something for everybody!
For those bikers new to riding in Morzine especially, the area is so vast, it’s a good idea to go out with a local guide, which we can arrange.
Downhill
With 9 permanent downhill courses in the Porte de Soleil there is a great deal of choice. From the Avalanche Cup course on the Pleney to the super technical France Cup course at Linderets. Tracks built specifically for the Swiss National Championships are an excellent addition to the already impressive selection of Downhill courses found in the area.
If required we can also arrange bike hire.
Dert offers a full range of Giant hire bikes at competitive hire rates. X country, Freeride or Downhill. For more information please visit their website: www.dertmtb.com/hire
We are able to offer you return transfers to/ and from Geneva Airport with your bikes.
Morzine Trekking – High Altitude treks / Mountaineering
For treks above the snow-line you need to be fit and competent in snow and ice fieldcraft, including the use of ice axe and crampons. The techniques of ice axe arrest and crevasse rescue are essential. If you’ve never climbed above the snow-line before, it’s never too late to learn!
Aiguille d’Argentiere (3900m) 2days. An elegant route with no great difficulty the Aiguille d’Argentiere is an outstanding and majestic peak on the frontier ridge between France and Switzerland. Day 1 is an easy walk on crampons over the Argentiere glacier to the refuge hut. The following day is a classic alpine start, (4.00a.m!) to see us on the summit for 9.00a.m so we can descend before the snow gets too soft.
Mont. Blanc (4808m) 2 days. Starting in Italy, in the Val Veni (1653m), the first day takes a path along the moraines of the northern bank of the Miage Glacier, working steeply up couloirs and snow slopes to reach the rock spur that leads to the Gonella refuge hut (3071m). An early morning alpine start follows, and sees us ascending the crevasse strewn Dome Glacier before breaking out onto the ridge that leads to the Dome du Gouter (4304m). Here you will be glad of your altitude aclimatisation training prior to the ascent, as you are struggling for breath and require a rest after every 10 paces or so! But you will never forget standing on the summit of Mont. Blanc, the roof of Europe. Turning 360 degrees and seeing all of the French, Swiss and Italian Alps below you.
Trekking in Morzine
We are located in a very underrated, and unspoilt walker’s paradise. Nestled in the shadow of ‘The Dent Blanches’ (The White Teeth) mountain range and with four other mountain nature reserves in the vicinity, you are spoilt for choice. It’s an excellent area for mid-altitude treks, i.e. mountain summits below the snow-line roughly 2800metres in the summer. We have treks to suit all ages & levels of ability. Ranging from half day low-level walks down alpine meadows and forest paths, to mid and high altitude mountain treks from a full day to 8day expeditions, staying in refuge huts. The Portes du Soleil area alone has over 600kms of marked footpaths, trails and summits, not to mention 2 European GR hiking routes.
Below are some examples of the many treks available in and nearby to Morzine that we can either advise on or assist with booking a guide.
Morzine Trekking - Low Level Walks
Le Fer a Cheval half day. Taking you into the heart of the Sixt nature reserve, this amazing walk takes you on a horseshoe shaped tour of snow tipped mountains with waterfalls cascading all around you.
Le Lac Mine d’Or & Col de Coux 1day. A walk of varied terrain that starts with following a river along forest paths that opens up into beautiful alpine meadows with an abundance of flora & fauna and mountain lakes.
Morzine Trekking - Mid Altitude Walks
Treks below the snow-line, a good standard of fitness is required.
Le Roc d’Enfer (hell’s rock 2243m) 1day. It’s not called hell’s rock for nothing, and is one of the classics of the region. There is a fair amount of scrambling, often with chains to give you support, but the drops behind you are quite considerable so a head for heights is essential! A dramatic ridge trek with breathtaking views in all directions.
Morzine – Chamonix 3days, 2 nights staying overnight in refuge huts. A beautiful walk that follows the GR5 trekking route over a series of hanging valleys, mountain passes and beautiful waterfalls to eventually reach Le Brevent (2500m) with its amazing panoramic views of the Mt. Blanc range.
The Tour des Dent Blanches 5days, 4 nights staying overnight in refuge huts. This trekking tour circumnavigates you around the massif of Les Dents Blanches (2756m) passing in turn through the French and Swiss Alps. With views almost rivaling those of the Himalayas, the trek enables you to see some of the most stunning glaciers and summits in the Alps.
Water Adventures
On our doorstep we have the spectacular River Dranse with its wild flowing Grade III/IV rapids & is host to a series of great water adventures.
White Water Rafting
Action packed descent with a qualified instructor shouting instructions military style, whilst you battle the rapids in an eight man raft will get your heart beating. A real thrill.
White Water Hydrospeeding
Dressed in a wet suit and flippers & armed with a float, experience the thrill as you race in and amongst the rocks and rapids. You may come home a bit bruised and battered but with an experience to remember. Important to keep your wits about you, but go with the flow of the river and you should just sail through!
Canyoning
For those who feel that variety is the spice of life! Canyoning is basically following a steep water gorge down a mountainside dressed in a wet suit, life jacket & safety helmet. Your day will involve jumping into rock pools from great heights, sliding down natural stone water-chutes & abseiling waterfalls. A fantastic day out.
Lake Sports
Lake Geneva, the largest lake in the Alps is only a stone’s throw away, offering you the opportunity for water ski-ing, wake boarding, wind surfing and sailing.
Climbing and Mountaineering
Which peak to climb and by what route? Rock, Snow and Ice or Mixed routes? Knife-edge Ridges, faces, pillars, spurs, couloirs, high level traverses… the Alps has everything the climber or prospective climber could wish for! From bolted crags of 1 to 5 pitches, to rock routes of epic proportions, to full on alpine mountaineering. From half day climbs to 2-3 day expeditions. There’s no better feeling than bivouacking on a small granite ledge halfway up an alpine route. (A truly debatable statement!)
For crag climbing we use the local area, and for the bigger alpine routes we travel over to the Chamonix area. (One hour drive away)
As keen mountaineers we are able to advise on selected climbs and routes, and for those who would like guides we’re able to organise this through the Chamonix Mountain guide agency. Prices depend upon difficulty and duration of route.
If you have little experience, or have never climbed before, we are able to arrange lessons through the local climbing school.
Via Ferrata
For those that would like to try climbing a rock face with a difference! The Via Ferrata at Saix du Tour, is 500metres of vertiginous ascent up a rock face using cables, steps, ladders & bridges to climb the rock wall to its summit, and discover an incredible panorama over the valley.
Other activities & excursions
Golf
The French Alps offer a variety of well designed, diverse and excellently maintained golf courses, set amongst some of the most magnificent scenery you will ever play upon. The courses below are all within an hour from Morzine: -
Avoriaz – 9 Holes / 2923m / Par 36
Situated on the edge of a pine forest, this 9-hole course, commands an exceptional view of the Morzine valley and its surrounding mountains.
Les Gets – 18 Holes / 5264 m / Par 70
A challenging day, this is the only course I know where you have to help push the buggy uphill! Amazing views of the Mont Blanc range.
Evian Masters Golf Club – 18 holes / 6006m / Par 72
This is one of the most beautiful courses in the world overlooking Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains.
Chamonix – 18 Holes / 6076m / Par 72
A stunning course set in the shadow of Mont Blanc with crevassed glaciers tumbling towards you
Sightseeing Excursions
If you prefer not to drive, our minibuses with drivers are available for hire.
Chamonix & Mont Blanc
A day’s visit to the town of Chamonix at the foot of Western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. You have the option of taking either the mountain funicular rack and pinion railway to the Mer de Glace to explore the glacier, or the world’s highest cable car to the top of the Aiguille du Midi, at an altitude of 3900m. You can also take an easy trek to the mountain refuge at ‘Le Lac Blanc’ for lunch, with its stunning panoramic views of the entire Mt. Blanc range.
Lake Annecy and old town
Located beneath the snow-capped peaks of the Aravis mountain range, lies the beautiful Lake Annecy. The old cobbled town of Annecy, likened to a mini Venice, with its beautiful canals and small winding streets, is absolutely stunning.
Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval
You can drive over the spectacular mountain pass of Ranfolly with its amazing views of Mont Blanc, to visit the beautiful village of Samoëns. From Samoëns you can move on to the Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval National Park for an afternoon’s easy-guided walk beneath some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps. There is time to relax, and for the daring, to have a swim in one of the ice – cool plunge pools.
Yvoire
Beautiful 13th Centuy village on the shore of Lake Geneva.
The Fantasticable
A Tyrolean Traverse with a slight difference! Suspended below a steel wire rope 1200metres long, you will hurtle at over 80kph from one mountain peak to another. This is the ultimate death-slide experience!
The Adventure Park
Great fun for kids and adults alike! It’s best explained as an assault course in the trees. Once you begin, you don’t touch ‘terra-firma’ until you’ve completed the course. Your time is spent negotiating rope ladders, swinging log bridges, monkey bars, death slides and tarzan swings to name but a few! Securely attached at all times you can safely play in the treetops. For the brave/foolish amongst you, the finale to the park is the smallest bungee jump in the world! (18metres)
Kids Activities
Along with all the other adventures available, Morzine also offers Summer luge, ice-skating, devil karting, mountain-boarding, skate park, horse-riding, pony-trekking, swimming pool & water park, tennis, paintballing, and quad -biking.