French Alps with Kids – Best Family Hikes in the French Alps

Looking for ideas for family hikes in the French Alps? If you are planning to visit the French Alps with kids, this list will help you find inspiration for summer hiking near Chamonix and Morzine.

The towns of Chamonix and Morzine are top mountain destinations for summer activities with plenty of alpine walking and hiking trails to discover that suit all ages and abilities. If you are traveling from the United Kingdom by car, Chamonix and Morzine are both approximately 8 to 9 hour drive from the port city of Calais, France.

We have spent summer holidays in Chamonix and Morzine hiking with our kids over the past few years. Read on for over 10 kid-friendly hikes in the French Alps that range from easy, relatively flat treks to moderate hikes with some steep climbs.

Interactive French Alps Hiking Map

Family Hikes in Chamonix

Located at the foot of the Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps, Chamonix is a top location for family hikes in the French Alps, offering breath-taking scenery, excellent facilities and well managed hiking trails.

Related: Guide to Visiting Chamonix in Summer

For free map routes and local guides to bring on your hikes, stop by one of the five Chamonix tourist offices that are located around the valley, including in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Argentière and Vallorcine.

Another great resource in the Chamonix town centre is La Maison de la Presse, a bookstore specialising in mountaineering literature and a comprehensive selection of maps and guidebooks.

During summer holidays in the Chamonix valley, we have gone on family hikes in Chamonix, Les Houches, Vallorcine, Sallanches and even across the border, in Trient, Switzerland (40 minutes drive from Chamonix).

Read more: Visiting Chamonix in the Summer

In this list, I’ll share our top Chamonix valley hikes with kids.

Cascade de Bérard, Vallorcine

Duration: 2 – 3 hours. Difficulty: Moderate. Starting Point: Hotel du Buet

This popular hiking trail in the Bérard Valley in the village of Le Buet (20 minutes from Chamonix) near Vallorcine, starts from the Hotel du Buet. The hike first passes through a meadow before reaching the picturesque Cascade de Bérard.

There is a café, Buvette de la Cascade de Bérard, overlooking the waterfall (shown above) which is open during the summer season. Continuing along the Bérard River, there are several options for trails of varying levels of difficulty, one being the 2 hour uphill hike to Refuge de la Pierre à Bérard which is open for lunch during the summer hiking season.

We took the trail heading back to Le Buet, which goes downhill through a steep larch forest, past the small stone chalets of Sur Les Rochers and then opens up in a scenic hamlet with charming houses. A short walk takes you past another waterfall before ending at the Le Poya fields behind Hotel Le Buet, the starting point of the hike.

Parc Animalier de Merlet, Les Houches

Duration: 1 -2 hours. Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

One of the highlights of visiting Chamonix with kids is seeing the local wildlife on a hike at Parc de Merlet in the nearby village of Les Houches. Eight animal species live here, including the ibex mountain goat, chamois and marmot, and you can watch the animals roam about their natural habitat.

Trails range from easy (stroller-friendly) to more challenging and steep, and you’re rewarded along the way with breath-taking panoramic views of the mountains and valley. You’ll also find a small play area and a café to relax at after exploring. Picnics are not allowed inside Merlet Animal Park, however, there are picnic tables just outside the park exit.

Read more: Visiting Parc de Merlet in Les Houches, France

Chalet la Floria, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Les Nants

The hike from Les Nants to Chalet la Floria is a steady uphill walk along a shady trail through a forest which eventually joins the Petit Balcon Sud footpath.

Follow the signs to Chalet la Floria (1240m), a lovely mountain refuge decorated with hundreds of flowering plants with a terrace overlooking the mountains. The restaurant serves snacks and lunches such as homemade omelettes, quiche, tarts and salads, along with hot and cold beverages.

Grand Balcon Sud, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc

Duration: 2- 3 hours. Difficulty: Moderate. Starting Point: La Flégère

One of the most scenic trails in Chamonix is the Grand Balcon Sud, which goes above the western side of the valley at an altitude of around 2000m. We did the hike between the cable car stations at La Flégère and Planpraz, which has stunning views throughout, with the trail facing the Mont Blanc range and overlooking the valley. This hike is mostly relatively flat but there are more technical parts where you’re going along narrow trails with steep drops and clamboring over rocky paths and there is a steep uphill climb to Planpraz.

The halfway point of the hike is the wildflower meadow of La Charlanon which also makes a good picnic spot. The rest of the Grand Balcon Sud Chamonix hike continues through what during the winter are ski runs before heading uphill to Plan Praz where you can finish the hike with a meal at the terrace of La Bergerie de Plan Praz or take the cable car to Brévent for panoramic views of Chamonix valley.

Read more: Hiking the Grand Balcon Sud Chamonix with kids

Ilettes Lakes, Sallanches

Duration: 1 hour. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Lac des Ilettes

Another excursion about a short drive from Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is to the beautiful Lac des Ilettes in Sallanches, which are three lakes that are popular for recreational activities and separated into designated areas for swimming, fishing and windsurfing. In addition to walking and cycling trails around the lakes, you’ll find plenty of facilities including free parking, a restaurant, toilets, picnic tables and a children’s play area.

About 2km from the Ilettes Lakes is the Cascade de l’Arpenaz, one of the tallest waterfalls in France which you can see from the freeway and can’t miss as you head into Sallanches. We made a quick stop separately as we were starting the long drive back, however, there is an easy trail to follow for a family hike from the lakes to the waterfalls.

Family Hikes in Morzine

Morzine is located in the heart of the Portes du Soleil area which encompasses twelve ski resorts between Mont Blanc in France and Lake Geneva in Switzerland. With great restaurants and a wide range of outdoor activities to offer, Morzine makes a fantastic base for a summer holiday in the mountains.

Read more: Guide to Visiting Morzine in Summer

For free map routes and local guides to bring on your hikes, stop by the Morzine Tourism Office in the village centre. You can also access PDF versions of the most up-to-date Morzine summer brochures, maps and guides online at Morzine-Avoriaz Portes du Soleil. The “Guide des Marmots” Kids Guide is packed with ideas for things to do in Morzine, children’s creative workshops, toddler activities and family sightseeing tours.

While Morzine is best known as the #1 mountain biking destination in Europe, it is also an ideal summer destination for family hikes in the French Alps with over 200km of trails to suit all ages and abilities.In this post, I’ll share our top family hikes around Morzine.

La Bourgeoise, Samoëns

Duration: 1 hour. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Col de Joux Plane

One of our favourite family hikes near Morzine is the trek to La Bourgeoise in Samoëns. We parked by the Lac de Joux Plane and the kids loved stopping by the lake first spotting little frogs along the water’s edge. There is a restaurant (Le Relais des Vallées) across the road from the lake along with more parking a short distance down the road on the right.

To start the hike to La Bourgeoise, look for the trailhead marked Joux Plane, alt. 1691m, which is a short walk from the lake on the left side of the road. The trail to La Bourgeoise takes 30 minutes and it is an easy one to follow, rocky and uneven at the beginning, and halfway along you are rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding valleys and mountain ranges including Mont Blanc.

Bring along a picnic to enjoy at the summit (1710m) while taking in the views and watching the paragliders at their launching site.

Read more: La Bourgeoise Samoëns Hike in the French Alps

Les Lindarets to Cascades des Brochaux

Duration: 1 hour. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Les Lindarets

One of our favourite excursions near Morzine was hiking from the Les Lindarets chair lift to Cascades des Brochaux. The trek is mostly flat, following a river through a forest then it opens up in a meadow before you reach the waterfall. There are two eateries just before Cascade des Brouchaux – a restaurant serving a selection of sandwiches, crepes and beverages and Refuge des Brouchaux, which offers omelettes, fish and steak dishes.

Related: Morzine Summer Activities

You can also combine this hike with a visit to the Les Lindarets goat village, which is a short walk or drive from the chair lift car park in the opposite direction heading back to Morzine. The kids loved seeing the goats that roam around the village!

Also just before reaching the Cascades des Brochaux, you’ll find the chair lift for Pointe des Mossettes which is across the border in Switzerland. Riding the chair lift to the top of Mossettes and taking in breath-taking summer mountain views overlooking this part of the Portes du Soleil resort was definitely a highlight.

Lac Montriond to Cascade d’Ardent

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Lac Montriond

Lac Montriond is one of the best places near Morzine to cool down and enjoy a summer picnic. In addition to recreational water sports, such as paddle boarding and kayaking, the lake offers several options for a hiking excursion, from an easy circular walk around the lake, to uphill climbs through the forests to see the waterfalls. There is also a secure swimming area (with lifeguards on duty from 11am to 6pm in July and August) that’s great for little ones.

The hike to the Ardent waterfalls from Montriond lake takes about 30 minutes, with an easy hiking trail suitable for all ages and a moderate trail that goes through the woods. Both trails join up for the last part, a steep climb to the waterfalls. The trailhead is at the Lake Montriond car park near the restaurant, Auberge du Bout du Lac.

Related: Things to do in Morzine in Summer

The end point of the hike is a small footbridge at Cascade d’Ardent, where you can take in the view of the long drop. The end point of the hike is a bridge overlooking the waterfall drop.

This is a lovely spot to take a break and have a snack relaxing by the river before heading following the trail down to the lake through meadows with charming chalets.

Mont Chery to Mont Caly, Les Gets

Duration: 2 hours. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Les Gets

One of the top family-friendly hikes in Les Gets is the trek between Mont Chery to Mont Caly. We took the gondola to Mont Chery from Les Gets, then followed the dirt road trail up to Les Chevrelles, a restaurant located on Mont Caly at an altitude of 1490m which takes about an hour to get to.

Les Chevrelles is a charming restaurant located on Mont Caly which offers stunning views of Les Gets and, on a clear day, Mont Blanc in the distance. The restaurant serves traditional dishes such as tartiflettes, raclette, fondue and omelettes.

Col de la Ramaz to Lac de Roy, Praz de Lys Sommand

Duration: 2 hours. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Col de la Ramaz

The hike from Col de la Ramaz, located in the Praz de Lys Sommand resort, makes for an ideal family walk and offers panoramic views of the Grandes Alpes. The trailhead is right across from the car park at Col de la Ramaz, and a wide trail takes you slightly uphill to Lac de Roy, which faces Mont Blanc.

This trek goes through mountain pastures and offers beautiful panoramic mountain views along the way.

Lac Mines d’Or, Morzine

Duration: 1 hour. Difficulty: Easy. Starting Point: Lac Mines d’Or 

Located about 15 minutes away from the centre of Morzine, Mines d’Or Lake is a beautiful setting for summer walking in Morzine. There are several trails that start from the car park at Lac Mines d’Or.

We took a hiking trail heading uphill to Ferme Auberge de Fréterolles or Chalet de Freterolles, a family-run restaurant with a terrace overlooking the mountains. We enjoyed the panoramic views along this hike, spotting cows resting in the grass along the way and seeing the goats at the farm next to the restaurant.

While we headed back down the same way we came, a longer circular route (total 6km, approx 2 hours) continues from this point to the Refuge de la Chardonnière and Lac Mines d’Or. Back at the lake, we had lunch at Restaurant Les Mines d’Or, which we can highly recommend.

French Alps with Kids Guide

I hope you found some inspiration and ideas from our list of family hikes in the French Alps. Hiking is one of the top things to do with kids when staying in Chamonix or Morzine, and there are plenty of options around these areas to enjoy outdoor adventures in the mountains.

Read on for more tips and reviews for planning a family summer trip to the Alps;

European Road Trips from UK

Guide to Visiting Morzine in Summer

Guide to Visiting Chamonix in Summer

Grand Balcon Sud Chamonix Hike – La Flégère to Planpraz

Parc de Merlet, Les Houches in the French Alps

La Bourgeoise Samoëns Hike, French Alps

Hike to Lago d’Arpy, Aosta Valley, Italy with Kids

This post was updated on 24 June 2023 with more photos and updated information for family hikes in the French Alps.

PIN FOR LATER – Family Hikes in the French Alps