Category: Forest & Woodland

Cordon, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Uncategorized

FAMILY HIKES: « Forest Discovery Trail » / « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt » (Cordon)

A few times now, MBFF has headed to Cordon, to walk the « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt à Cordon » (« Forest Discovery Trail »). We first discovered this trail about 8 years ago, when we had a baby in a backpack and a little boy in tow, and I had been meaning to write a full article about it every since! The  « Forest Discovery Trail » is an annotated trail through the  forest … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: « Forest Discovery Trail » / « Sentier Découverte de la Forêt » (Cordon)

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Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling

20 SHORT FAMILY HIKES with a BUVETTE (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

When the kids are small, we are often limited in the hikes that we undertake: not too far, not too high, not too much dénivelé . . . some of us can hike further, but some of us have problematic backs and knees, meaning that baby backpacks can be more of a challenge . . . or, perhaps we have toddlers that like to hike, … Continue reading 20 SHORT FAMILY HIKES with a BUVETTE (CHAMONIX VALLEY)

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Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling

MORE AMAZING WATERFALLS & GORGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

💦 Waterfalls and gorge hikes are in abundance here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . [ ⇒ separate MBFF article 💦 WATERFALLS & GORGES 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc here ] But it is still worth highlighting some 💦 waterfalls and gorges to explore that are a  bit further away, in 🇫🇷 further France and in 🇨🇭 neighbouring Switzerland and the 🇮🇹 Aosta Valley (Italy) . … Continue reading MORE AMAZING WATERFALLS & GORGES beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Games, Treasure Hunts & Parcours d'Orientation, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Le Fayet, Le Fayet Hikes & Strolls, Le Parc Thermal, Parks & Gardens, St Gervais & Environs

3 FAMILY STROLLS & HIKES in the Parc Thermal (Le Fayet)

The MBFF team players are huge fans of the 🌳 Parc Thermal in Le Fayet . . . as well as the famous 💦 Thermes de Saint-Gervais-Mont-Blanc, this park has so much to offer: hikes & strolls, 🧗‍♂️ climbing & via ferrata, a newly renovated sports complex, a playground, le petit train du Parc Thermal, lots of green grass for running and ball games, art … Continue reading 3 FAMILY STROLLS & HIKES in the Parc Thermal (Le Fayet)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Castles & Fortresses, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling

10 FOREST & WOODLAND STROLLS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Ahhh, 🌳 forests . . . strolling in nature, listening to the forest sounds, a huge playground for family  exploration, and so much scope to learn about 🌳🦌 trees and wildlife  . . . With the 🍃🍁 change of seasons, 🌳 our forests offer us something new every few months weeks : the 🍃 rich green of spring and summer; 🍂 the shedding of leaves in … Continue reading 10 FOREST & WOODLAND STROLLS au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Annecy Paysages, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard), Saint-Jorioz, Sentier des Roselières (Saint-Jorioz), Weekend Escapes

10 family strolls & easy hikes around LAC d’ANNECY

💦 Lac d’Annecy is a super place to head from 🗻 the Pays du Mont-Blanc for a stroll or a hike – perhaps for a bit of culture in the old town of Annecy, perhaps to escape the winter snow of the mountains, or perhaps for a FLAT stroll along the lakeside with a buggy. You’ll find lots of flat walks around the lake, perfect … Continue reading 10 family strolls & easy hikes around LAC d’ANNECY

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"Made in", Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Le Fayet, Le Parc Thermal, Parent Pampering, Parks & Gardens, Rainy Days, Snowy Days, St Gervais & Environs, Yoga & Spas

Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc en famille (LE FAYET)

Having already re-opened under the L’Oréal Paris label, 💦 Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc underwent a huge renovation project a couple of years ago . . . These 💦 thermal baths are nestled in a verdant and bucolic spot at the bottom of 🌳 the Parc Thermal in Le Fayet : 💦 in the gorge du Bonnant and next to the Cascade des Thermes. … Continue reading Les Thermes de Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc en famille (LE FAYET)

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Agendas & Events, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Museums & Exhibitions, Theatre, Dance & Music, Weekend Escapes

ALTA LUMINA en famille (Les Gets)

One Saturday evening last January, MBFF walked through a sparkling enchanted forest, courtesy of Les Gets Tourisme! I’d been wanting to experience this night-time son & lumières parcours since its opening, and finally we managed to get there! The unique trail is located in the forest behind the Lac des Écoles in Les Gets . . . and it is just M A G I C … Continue reading ALTA LUMINA en famille (Les Gets)

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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Crest-Voland, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Savoie, Weekend Escapes

FAMILY STROLLS : Sentier des Arpelières (VAL d’ARLY)

A couple of 🍁 Novembers ago, MBFF set off on a short hike that I’d been wanting to do for a while: Le Sentier des Arpelières in Crest-Voland (or Les Saisies), Val d’Arly. I have hiked all over the world, but – hand on heart – 🍁 the autumn colours and 🍄 the magical nature of the terrain on this hike make this 🍂 one … Continue reading FAMILY STROLLS : Sentier des Arpelières (VAL d’ARLY)

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Argentière, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Le Fayet, Le Fayet Hikes & Strolls, Le Parc Thermal, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Megève, Megève & Environs, Parcours d’Orientation Bois du Bouchet, Praz-sur-Arly, Saint Nicolas de Véroce, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Servoz, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, Vallorcine

10 ideas for JEUX de PISTE and CHASSES au TRÉSOR au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

🗺 Outdoor games can be a great way to keep youngsters entertained while on a hike en famille, or used as an educational approach to learning about one of our mountain villages or towns here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc. These 🗺 outdoor games take all sorts of different forms: 🦌 thematic trails to learn about the local patrimoine or nature & animals; 🗺 informative … Continue reading 10 ideas for JEUX de PISTE and CHASSES au TRÉSOR au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and beyond)

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Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cable Cars, Chairlifts & Tramways, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Lakes & Swimming, Megève, Megève & Environs, Megève Playgrounds, Megève Sport & Adventure, Parent Pampering, Playgrounds & Softplay, Yoga & Spas

TÉLÉCABINE du JAILLET in summertime : aire de jeux panoramique, relaxation zone, hikes & activities (Megève)

With the Télécabine du Jaillet (Megève, Portes du Mont-Blanc), you can swiftly get up to ⛰ the altitude 1585m, while exerting minimal energy! And, at the arrival station, so much FUN awaits : the aire de jeux panoramique, a chill-out zone, a superb view of Mont-Blanc, picnic spots (and a new foodtruck on-site and a restaurant option a short stroll away) and plenty of 🥾 … Continue reading TÉLÉCABINE du JAILLET in summertime : aire de jeux panoramique, relaxation zone, hikes & activities (Megève)

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Annemasse & environs, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cable Cars, Chairlifts & Tramways, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Weekend Escapes

Téléphérique du Salève – a day out with superb views of Lac Léman & the Alps! (Etrembières)

[ spring 2023 update : 🚠 the Téléphérique du Salève is still SHUT for its huge 2 year long renovation programme . . . but you can still visit the iconic ⛰ Salève mountain, either by driving up there or by hiking up / the 🚠 cable car is due to re-open in 2023 ! ] A couple of weekends back, MBFF was kindly invited … Continue reading Téléphérique du Salève – a day out with superb views of Lac Léman & the Alps! (Etrembières)

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Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Rainy Days

WATERFALLS & GORGES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

A visit to a 💦 waterfall or gorge is often an awe-inspiring and sensory experience, allowing you to appreciate nature in its wildest, purest form. It can also be a great option for a family hike, or a chance to escape ☀️ the heat of summer, with a cool breeze and brume emanating from the cascade of water. We are lucky 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, as we … Continue reading WATERFALLS & GORGES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

FAMILY HIKES: Lacs des Ilettes, la Cascade de l’Arpenaz & Luzier

This Sallanches hike is ideal any time of year (except on an icy winter’s day!); in 🌸 early springtime, many of our 🗻 higher (and even mid-range) altitude mountain hikes are still snow-covered, but the paths on this trail should be snow-free; in autumn, the colours are just spectacular! The hike (which is also 🚵‍♂️ a bike trail) is ideal for families for several reasons: … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Lacs des Ilettes, la Cascade de l’Arpenaz & Luzier

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Animal Antics, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Babies & Toddlers, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Haute-Savoie, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Lakes & Swimming, Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard), Weekend Escapes

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

🏞 La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac in Doussard is a tranquil 🐸 wetland area, with marshes, 💦 rivers and 🌾 unique flora and 🦆 fauna, offering superb views of 💦 Lac d’Annecy and 🏔 the surrounding mountains. For 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 families, it is ideal: wide wooden walkways perfect for buggies or wheelchairs, 🗺 explanatory panels along the way . . . children will remain engaged and you’ll all learn … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: La Réserve Naturelle du Bout-du-Lac (Doussard, Lac d’Annecy)

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Animal Antics, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Parks & Gardens

10 ideas for NATURE GAMES & CREATIVITY en famille

Living in the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc, we always have some 🌳 woodland or green space nearby, so here are some ideas for 🌳 nature-inspired activities for your next outing! 1. Build a CABANE We don’t all live near 🌳 woodland with copious branches available to make a solid cabane, but if you do . . . this activity will keep your brood amused for a … Continue reading 10 ideas for NATURE GAMES & CREATIVITY en famille

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Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

FAMILY HIKES: Les Golettes, La Vigne & La Fley (SALLANCHES)

During the 🏡 second confinement last year, we all (apart from those lucky mountain leaders and other sporting folk!) had to find 🏡 walks within a 1km radius from home . . . I was lucky to find one 🏔 local hike that adhered to the distance and time authorised (if I ran part of it, which iwas a major challenge for someone not keen on … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Les Golettes, La Vigne & La Fley (SALLANCHES)

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Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Cluses & environs, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Haute-Savoie, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls

10 MORE ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children (beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc)

This is the follow-up article for 10 ideas for 🍁 autumn stroll with young children 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc (see here). Autumn is certainly arriving, and I love this season of 🍁  burnt seasonal colours adorning the trees and covering the ground accompanied by early ❄️ snow powdered on the nearby 🏔 summits! And so, here are some ideas to head out and enjoy those 🍁 dazzling colours … Continue reading 10 MORE ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children (beyond le Pays du Mont-Blanc)

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Animal Antics, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling

10 ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

🍁 Autumn, before ❄️ the snow arrives (and even when ❄️ the snow arrives!), is a lovely time for a family stroll or hike here 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . the temperatures are (usually) fresher than the ☀️ summertime, and 🍁 the burnt seasonal colours adorning the trees and scattered on the ground are just beautiful. Next to a lake, you’ll perhaps see 🍂 autumn … Continue reading 10 ideas for AUTUMN FAMILY HIKES & STROLLS with small children au Pays du Mont-Blanc

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Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, La Passerelle Himalayenne, Passy & Environs, Plateau d'Assy

FAMILY HIKES: La Passerelle Himalayenne ⇒ Lac Vert (Passy)

I have now been on this hike a few times en famille, and with friends. I can assure you that each time, friends are wowed by the 🌉 Himalayan suspension bridge, 🏔 the fabulous views of 🗻 Mont-Blanc, and the ethereal 💦 Lac Vert. The altitude gain (dénivelé) on this hike is fairly minimal, making it a great short hike for families with young children or older … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Passerelle Himalayenne ⇒ Lac Vert (Passy)

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Forest & Woodland, Further France, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Weekend Escapes

« Le Mystère de la Montre » : a treasure hunt in Mont-Saxonnex!

MBFF tried out another of Cluse Arve & Montagne’s jeux last autumn! This time we chose another jeu d’aventure: ⏱ Le Mystère de la Montre, in ⛰ Mont-Saxonnex! After having had so much fun doing the previous two jeux, ⚔️ Le Chevalier Maudit (in Châtillon-sur-Cluses; read about our experience here) and 🥚 L’Œuf de Plume la Gypaète (in Le Reposoir; read about our experience here), … Continue reading « Le Mystère de la Montre » : a treasure hunt in Mont-Saxonnex!

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Castles & Fortresses, Cluses & environs, Forest & Woodland, Further France, Hiking & Strolling, Weekend Escapes

« Le Chevalier Maudit »: medieval knightly fun and Geocaching® en famille! (Châtillon-sur-Cluses)

In February this year, we headed to ⛰ Le Reposoir to do one of the Cluses Arves & Montagnes 🗺 jeux d’orientation (we’ve also done the jeux L’Œuf de Plume la Gypaète – see here for MBFF article), and we really enjoyed it! As well as the fun of the orienteering game, we really delighted in getting to know a new mountain village and the … Continue reading « Le Chevalier Maudit »: medieval knightly fun and Geocaching® en famille! (Châtillon-sur-Cluses)

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Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling

FAMILY HIKES: « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » (COMBLOUX)

MBFF has now hiked the short themed walk ⚒ « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » in Combloux a couple of times . . . Every autumn, a group of volunteers goes to tidy up the paths for you! So what exactly is the themed walk ⚒ « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » ?  It is a short hike with explanatory panels, which explains … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: « Sur les traces des Graniteurs » (COMBLOUX)

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Animal Antics, Argentière, Babies & Toddlers, Cafés & Restaurants, Chamonix Valley, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Playgrounds & Softplay

An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)

It took MBFF a very long time to discover the wonderful 🐸 mare aux têtards & 🌈 playground in the 🌲 moraine woods of Argentière! But we are so glad that we finally made our way there! I had been wanting to hunt out this elusive playground (not so elusive if you live in Argentière!) for many, many years, but never quite managed it. And one day … Continue reading An AIRE de JEUX, a MARE aux TÊTARDS and a PARCOURS ORIENTATION (Argentière)

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Babies & Toddlers, Cafés & Restaurants, Chamonix Valley, Chamonix Valley Nature Reserves, Forest & Woodland, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Vallorcine

FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)

The short hike up to the 💦 Cascade de Bérard, located just above the village of Le Buet (near Vallorcine), is the perfect family outing on a hot ☀️ summer’s day or after 🌧strong rain – you’ll either be refreshed or you’ll see 💦 the waterfall in its rawest, most powerful form! If you head off on this hike in late spring or in early summer, … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: La Cascade de Bérard (LE BUET)

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