Mountain activities

You could spend a fortnight just exploring and enjoying the mountains around Samoens and never do the same thing twice. Take a look at the options.

Walking and trekking

There are 900km of marked trails which you can explore on your own or with a guide. Easy strolls along the river Giffre or serious ascents up to 3040m. Amazing waterfalls like the Cascade de Rouget, mountain lakes and majestic peaks, glaciers and famous landmarks such as the Fer a Cheval. Mountain flora and a wide array of wildlife, including chamois, bouquetins and marmottes, will capture your and your kids attention. Day walks are great but why not think about staying a night in one of the many high altitude mountain refuges above Samoens or even take a longer tour as you move from refuge to refuge. Maps and a guide to the walks are available from the tourist office and can also be seen on the Grand massif website.

Those interested in refuges should look at the Refuge du Folly website. This refuge is one of the closest to Samoens and it's website has links to a range of others you could use if you fancied more of a challenge. We thoroughly recommend you try one. Many are catered and will add another dimension to your holiday (it's a fact, beer tastes better the higher up you go!)

Qualified mountain guides are available through the Samoens branch of the Bureau des Guides

Exploration on horseback or with pack mules, can also be arranged.

Mountaineering

Take trekking to its logical conclusion and learn or hone those mountaineering skills. Everything from beginners courses to glacier hiking to summiting Mont Blanc, highest peak in the old Europe at 4810m. Take a look here.

Via ferrata

Originating in Italy, this sport gives a taste of what rock climbing is like using pre-fixed cables, ropes and ladders. Not for those who dislike heights! The local facilities are at Sixt. Experienced practitioners can book independently. For beginners or those wanting to improve, instruction is available from the Bureau des Guides. You can learn more about Via Ferrata here.

Rock climbing

Go a stage further and rock climb. There is plenty to enjoy with natural facilities and a beginners wall. Once again the Bureau des Guides offers courses for adults and for children as young as 5 years old.

Canyoning and caving

Yes it's the Bureau des Guides again. Let them help you chuck yourself into some water or disappear down the Mirolda, the world's deepest pothole to see some truly breathtaking underground caves.

And finally

Try all of them! Or play safe and get your kids to do it for you! Our friends les guides have multi-activity weeks with your name on them and parallel courses for 6-14s and 12-16s that will have them talking right through to next year.