Category: Hiking & Strolling

Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Les Gorges Mystérieuses de la Tête-Noire, Switzerland, Trient

FAMILY HIKES: les Gorges Mystérieuses de la Tête-Noire (Switzerland)

The MBFF tribe had driven past the starting point to the 💦 Gorges Mystérieuses de la Tête-Noire on numerous occasions, on our way to the 🇨🇭 Bisse du Trient family hike, or en-route to 🇨🇭 Martigny or 💦 the Bains de Saillons . . . but until a few summers ago, I hadn’t ventured any closer to this “ mysterious gorge ” . . . but I had certainly wondered what … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: les Gorges Mystérieuses de la Tête-Noire (Switzerland)

Mont Blanc Family FunLeave a comment
Cafés & Restaurants, Hiking & Strolling, Le Jardin des Cimes, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Plateau d'Assy

FAMILY HIKES: Jardin des Cimes ⇒ Refuge de Varan (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

[ note 2023: ☕️ Refuge de Varan is SHUT for the 2023 summer season for renovation, but there is lots of gorgeous alpine pasture surrounding it for picnics! ] For a family hike, MBFF finds it a good idea to have a clear point of interest along the way: 💦 a waterfall, ❄️ a glimpse of a glacier, a ride in 🚡 a télécabine or on a télésiège, 🦌 wildlife … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Jardin des Cimes ⇒ Refuge de Varan (PLATEAU d’ASSY)

Mont Blanc Family FunLeave a comment
Bisse du Trient, Hiking & Strolling, Switzerland, Theatre, Dance & Music, Trient, Uncategorized, Weekend Escapes

FAMILY HIKES: Le Bisse du Trient (SWITZERLAND)

The hike along the 💦 Bisse du Trient is perfect for families with young children or older relatives who are searching for a short and easy (and relatively flat) hike at slightly higher altitude than the valley floor! The path starts from the 🇨🇭 Col de la Forclaz (Vallée du Trient, Switzerland) and meanders through the shade of a 🌲 pine and mélèzes (larch) forest, to reach the ☕️ Buvette … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES: Le Bisse du Trient (SWITZERLAND)

Mont Blanc Family Fun1 Comment
Aiguille du Midi, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Cordon, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Lacs des Ilettes, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Praz-sur-Arly, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Servoz, St Gervais, St Gervais & Environs, Vallorcine

25 of MBFF’s FAVOURITE FAMILY HIKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

With a now 12 year old and a 9 year old in tow, the MBFF family is beginning to find its 🏔 hiking mojo (mostly!). Here, below, you will find some of our favourite (and tried and tested!) family hikes 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc, with suggestions for 🥤 buvettes and 🏚 refuges for a snack, lunch or overnight! [ ⇒ for 🏔 general tips on hiking with … Continue reading 25 of MBFF’s FAVOURITE FAMILY HIKES au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Mont Blanc Family Fun5 Comments
Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Sport & Adventure, Chamonix Valley, Hiking & Strolling, Montenvers Train & Mer de Glace, Parc d'Attractions de Chamonix

Montenvers Mer de Glace & Train (CHAMONIX)

Another great attraction in 🏔 Chamonix on many families’ list is the 🚂 Montenvers cog rail journey up to the ❄️ Mer de Glace glacier (France’s largest glacier, at around 7km long). The 🚂 iconic red train will take you on a relaxing 20 minute journey (around 5km) up the mountainside, through 🌲 forests, viaducts and tunnels cut through the rock, and up to the glacier at 1,913m (an … Continue reading Montenvers Mer de Glace & Train (CHAMONIX)

Mont Blanc Family Fun7 Comments
Further France, Hiking & Strolling, La Maison du Salève, Museums & Exhibitions, Parks & Gardens, Salève & environs, Workshops & Stages

Maison du Salève (PRÉSILLY)

A visit to 🌳 La Maison du Salève makes for a wonderful family day out . . Originally an 18th century farm from the Chartreuse de Pomier (La Ferme de Mikerne – see here for more history), the building has been renovated to host a cultural centre recounting the history of the ⛰ Salève mountain and its environs (a permanent interactive exhibition and temporary exhibitions) . . . and … Continue reading Maison du Salève (PRÉSILLY)

Mont Blanc Family Fun1 Comment
Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Lakes & Swimming, Les Houches, Les Houches Playgrounds, Les Houches Skiing, Playgrounds & Softplay

Lac des Chavants (LES HOUCHES)

💦 Lac des Chavants in Les Houches is a lovely destination for families throughout the year. [ ⚠ note – please note that 💦 Lac des Chavants is NOT a swimming lake! ] These days, the lake is referred to as a Base de Loisirs, as there are so many activities available. You can: 🌲 there are walking paths through the woods (suitable for buggies and … Continue reading Lac des Chavants (LES HOUCHES)

Mont Blanc Family Fun9 Comments
Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Sallanches

Lacs des Ilettes (SALLANCHES)

Officially known as the Base de Loisir des Ilettes, the 💦 Lacs des Ilettes actually consist of three lakes and this is a popular place year-round for locals to come for a stroll en famille, 🚵‍♀️ for a bike ride, 🐶 a dog-walk (permitted around the 3rd lake), 🎣 fishing, 🏃‍♂️ or a jog and workout. In ☀️ summertime, the middle lake is a popular choice for swimmers and … Continue reading Lacs des Ilettes (SALLANCHES)

Mont Blanc Family Fun11 Comments
Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Cafés & Restaurants, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Playgrounds, Chamonix Valley, Forest & Woodland, Hiking & Strolling, Le Paradis des Praz, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Snowy Days

Paradis des Praz (Les Praz-de-Chamonix)

The 🌲 Paradis des Praz is a natural playground, a hidden jewel cocooned in 🌲 the woods, well-known to families living in the region, but perhaps not to those visiting. As well as being a popular spot in the ☀️ summertime, over the winter school holidays the buvette is also often open – so you can have a magical walk through the ❄️ snowy forest and then warm … Continue reading Paradis des Praz (Les Praz-de-Chamonix)

Mont Blanc Family Fun14 Comments
Agendas & Events, Animal Antics, Hiking & Strolling, Lakes & Swimming, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Contamines Playgrounds, Les Contamines Sport & Adventure, Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, Playgrounds & Softplay

Parc de Loisirs du Pontet (Les Contamines-Montjoie)

The MBFF tribe is a huge fan of the ⛳️ Parc de Loisirs du Pontet, the largest parc de loisirs 🏔 au Pays du Mont-Blanc. This giant leisure park in the beautiful Les Contamines-Montjoie offers more than 20 sports and leisure activities and also has 💦 a small swimming lake and boating lake. Being located next to Notre Dame de la Gorge, opposite the 🚡 Téléphérique de la … Continue reading Parc de Loisirs du Pontet (Les Contamines-Montjoie)

Mont Blanc Family Fun2 Comments
Cafés & Restaurants, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de l’Étape, Lakes & Swimming, Les Contamines, Les Contamines & Environs, Les Contamines Playgrounds, Les Contamines Sport & Adventure

Lac de l’Étape (LES CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE)

We had our first ☀️ summer visit to the 💦 Lac de l’Etape in Les Contamines-Montjoie back in 2015, with a four and a half year old and an 18 month old . . . I remember that it was the last August weekend of the holidays before 📚 La Rentrée, and I wanted to spend a special time en famille . . . and as there is a hotel … Continue reading Lac de l’Étape (LES CONTAMINES-MONTJOIE)

Mont Blanc Family Fun1 Comment
Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Uncategorized

La Cascade de l’Arpenaz (SALLANCHES)

You have quite probably passed the 💦 Cascade de l’Arpenaz on several occasions, on a trip between the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc and 🇨🇭 Geneva or 🇫🇷 Annecy on the autoroute. The 💦 Cascade de l’Arpenaz is one of the most visible and iconic of our waterfalls in the region . . . but have you ever come off the motorway and headed onto the local road past the village … Continue reading La Cascade de l’Arpenaz (SALLANCHES)

Mont Blanc Family Fun3 Comments
Hiking & Strolling, Sallanches, Sallanches & Environs, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Sport & Adventure, Sledging & Ice-Skating

REFUGE du TORNIEUX: a 4km luge descent (Sallanches)

You may know the ☕️ Refuge du Tornieux (1450m) as ☀️ a summer hike destination . . . but heading there on a ❄️ winter hike is an entirely different experience! The first time I hiked in ❄ winter, I was on my own, which is always a pleasure . . . but as I am always thinking ahead for fun family activities, as I stopped … Continue reading REFUGE du TORNIEUX: a 4km luge descent (Sallanches)

Mont Blanc Family Fun1 Comment
Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Weekend Escapes

FAMILY STROLLS: winter wonderlands au Pays du Mont-Blanc

The ❄️ SNOW is currently falling and draping our 🗻 mountain peaks with dazzling white blankets . . . some ❄️ snowflakes are falling to the ground and forming sparkling white forest carpets, some snowflakes clinging to the 🌲 sapins, before fluttering slowly to the ground . . . . . . 🌟 magical, féerique, ❄️ winter wonderland Narnias everywhere you look 🗻 au Pays du Mont-Blanc! This article … Continue reading FAMILY STROLLS: winter wonderlands au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Mont Blanc Family Fun1 Comment
Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Lakes & Swimming, Passy, Passy & Environs, Plaine-Joux, Plateau d'Assy, Snowy Days

Lac Vert (PLAINE-JOUX)

The MBFF family members are regular visitors to 💦 Lac Vert in Plaine-Joux (Passy), and a visit a couple of🍂 autumns ago reminded me that I should write an article exclusively about this lovely alpine lake! A visit here is a great family day out: a short walk, with fun wooden walkways and some scrambling too, boulders to climb, 🌲 trees and 🏔 snowy mountain peaks reflected … Continue reading Lac Vert (PLAINE-JOUX)

Mont Blanc Family Fun4 Comments
Chamonix Valley, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Les Houches, Les Houches Hikes & Strolls, Parcours d'Orientation Lac des Chavants, Parks & Gardens

PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION au Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

A few years ago no, MBFF asked 🌈 Baby-Cham (a babysitting service in the Chamonix Valley) to head out on one of the new 🗺 Chamonix Valley orienteering circuits and to report back on the experience. Its team braved ☀️ the summer heat and did a superb job testing out the 🌲 Bois du Bouchet (Chamonix) and the 💦 Lac des Chavants (Les Houches) parcours. [ ⇒ read about Baby-Cham’s … Continue reading PARCOURS d’ORIENTATION au Lac des Chavants (Les Houches)

Mont Blanc Family Fun9 Comments
Argentière, Chamonix, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Chamonix Valley, Hiking & Strolling, Lac des Chavants, Les Houches, Parcours d'Orientation Lac des Chavants, Parcours d’Orientation Bois du Bouchet, Parks & Gardens, Servoz, Vallorcine

BABY-CHAM goes orienteering in the Chamonix Valley!

A couple of years ago, 🌈 Baby-Cham (the owner of the company and her little helpers) went to test out a couple of the (then) new 🧭 parcours d’orientation (orienteering routes) in the 🏔 Chamonix Valley. You may have seen some of the maps in your local tourist offices or on large panels on-site? The Chamonix Valley has developed 6 orienteering routes for you to enjoy, … Continue reading BABY-CHAM goes orienteering in the Chamonix Valley!

Mont Blanc Family Fun4 Comments
Babies & Toddlers, Hiking & Strolling, Lac d'Annecy & environs, Lac d'Annecy Hikes & Strolls, Lakes & Swimming, Saint-Jorioz, Sentier des Roselières (Saint-Jorioz), Weekend Escapes

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: « Sentier des Roselières » (Saint-Jorioz, LAC d’ANNECY)

Last springtime, MBFF finally headed to Saint-Jorioz (Lac d’Annecy), to enjoy the gentle spring-like weather, and to walk part of the 🌱 « Sentier des Roselières », which leaves from its Port d’Embarcadère. I originally heard about this family stroll from Marine from the excellent website Randos en Famille, and I’m adding to this article some of our own photos and astuces learned from our promenade. … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: « Sentier des Roselières » (Saint-Jorioz, LAC d’ANNECY)

Mont Blanc Family Fun4 Comments
Agendas & Events, Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lac Léman, Lakes & Swimming, Morges, Parks & Gardens, Playgrounds & Softplay, Switzerland, Weekend Escapes

« Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges ( 1st April ⇒ 14th May 2023 )

🇨🇭🌷 « La Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, and this year’s 53rd edition will run from 1st April ⇒ 14th May 2023 . . . You don’t have to travel too far from the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc to experience total dépaysement, to distance yourself from the mountain valleys and high snowy peaks; just the other side of 🇨🇭 … Continue reading « Fête de la Tulipe » in Morges ( 1st April ⇒ 14th May 2023 )

Mont Blanc Family Fun2 Comments
Argentière Sledging, Babies & Toddlers, Chamonix Sledging, Combloux Sledging, Cordon Sledging, Crest-Voland, Hiking & Strolling, Les Contamines Sledging, Les Houches Sledging, Megève Sledging, Plaine-Joux Sledging, Praz-sur-Arly Sledging, Saint Nicolas de Véroce Sledging, Saint-Gervais-les-Bains sledging, Servoz Sledging, Sledging & Ice-Skating, Snowy Days, Vallorcine Sledging

PISTES de LUGE au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and nearby)

The ❄️ FIRST SNOWFALL au Pays du Mont-Blanc . . . when the ❄ first snowflakes arrive, the excitement and delight run high for the whole family: walks knee-deep (or shoulder-deep for the little ones!) in the white fluffy stuff, ❄ snowball fights, ⛄️ making a snowman (or perhaps a snowcat or other snow animal) . . . and 🛷 SLEDGING FUN! [ note: due to the limited snow at … Continue reading PISTES de LUGE au Pays du Mont-Blanc (and nearby)

Mont Blanc Family Fun4 Comments
Babies & Toddlers, Biking, Scooting & Skating, Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Combloux, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de Passy, Lac des Chavants, Lacs des Ilettes, Lakes & Swimming, Parcours d'Orientation Lac des Chavants, Passy, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Plaine-Joux, Sallanches, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: lakes in autumn au Pays du Mont-Blanc

After a visit to 🇯🇵 Japan during the magical time of 🍁 « autumn leaves », I never thought that autumn would inspire me in the same way again . . . But then I returned home to the 🏔 Pays du Mont-Blanc, and was charmed all over again by 🍁 the palette of red, ochre, orange and gold covering 🌳 the trees, crunching under my feet … Continue reading BUGGY WALKS & FAMILY STROLLS: lakes in autumn au Pays du Mont-Blanc

Mont Blanc Family Fun4 Comments
Chamonix Hikes & Strolls, Combloux Hikes & Strolls, Cordon Hikes & Strolls, Hiking & Strolling, Le Fayet Hikes & Strolls, Le Jardin des Cimes, Le Parc Thermal, Les Gorges de la Diosaz, Parc de Merlet Animal Park, Parks & Gardens, Passy Hikes & Strolls, Praz-sur-Arly Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls

FAMILY HIKES – MBFF’s tips for hiking with small children

⛰ FAMILY HIKING with small children is not always a simple task! Well, perhaps it is for some families . . . perhaps your children were born hikers! But for many of us, getting our children to 🏔 LOVE hiking in the mountains is not a given. Both of my sons had periods around the age of 18 months when they decided that the backpack was no … Continue reading FAMILY HIKES – MBFF’s tips for hiking with small children

Mont Blanc Family Fun9 Comments
Biking, Scooting & Skating, Hiking & Strolling, Lac de Passy, Lakes & Swimming, Passy, Passy & Environs, Passy Hikes & Strolls

Lac de Passy (PASSY)

💦 Lac de Passy, officially referred to these days as a Base de Loisirs (due to the numerous leisure activities on offer), is the 💦 largest lake au Pays du Mont-Blanc. Ideal for a 🏊‍♂️ swim and a splash during the summer months, it is also frequented by 🚵‍♀️ cyclists,🏃‍♀️ joggers, buggy-walkers, 🎣 fishing enthusiasts, ⛵️ windsurfers, paddle-boarders and dog-walkers [ note: 🐶 dogs are not … Continue reading Lac de Passy (PASSY)

Mont Blanc Family Fun13 Comments
Agendas & Events, Cafés & Restaurants, Hiking & Strolling, Sallanches Events, Sallanches Hikes & Strolls, Sallanches Playgrounds

The BEAUTIFUL QUAIS of the Sallanche river (SALLANCHES)

A walk along the 💦 quais in Sallanches makes for a perfect buggy walk or stroll with a toddler on a draisienne any time of year! It is especially lovely in later springtime, to see the 🌳🌰 chestnut tree flowers blossoming and in summer, to sit at a restaurant or café terrace. But it is also lovely in winter, to enjoy the sparkling Christmas lights ! … Continue reading The BEAUTIFUL QUAIS of the Sallanche river (SALLANCHES)

Mont Blanc Family Fun2 Comments
Chamonix Valley, Gorges, Rivers & Waterfalls, Hiking & Strolling, Les Gorges de la Diosaz, Servoz

Les Gorges de la Diosaz (SERVOZ)

A visit to 💦 Les Gorges de la Diosaz natural site makes for a wonderful visit en famille, come 🌧 rain or ☀️ shine (we have visited during both weather scenarios here at MBFF!). You are in the shade for most of the walk, so this is a great option during ☀️ a summer heatwave, as well as on 🌧 a slightly drizzly day! It is quite the experience to walk along the … Continue reading Les Gorges de la Diosaz (SERVOZ)

Mont Blanc Family Fun6 Comments