Family: Mountains in Summer
Lakes, easy hikes, summer sledges and marmots in the Alps.
Five days in the Alps in summer, when the resorts swap skiing for lakes and high pastures. Lake Annecy offers swimming, a protected cycle loop and an old town; the Mer de Glace is reached by the Montenvers railway, with an ice cave recarved every year and a direct view onto the glacier. The Parc de Merlet, where chamois, ibex and marmots live in semi-freedom facing Mont Blanc, delights younger visitors; the Col de la Forclaz serves as a paragliding launch ramp above the lake, and the Fier gorges offer a walkway suspended over turquoise water. The Mer de Glace is retreating fast: reaching it now means descending many steps or taking the gondola.
Practical info
- Stops
- 5
- Duration
- 5 days
- Transport
- 🚗 Car
- Distance
- ≈ 130 km
- Best time
- Summer and school holidays
Itinerary
- 1
Lac d'Annecy
Baignade, vélo autour du lac et vieille ville.
- 2
Mer de Glace
Train du Montenvers, grotte de glace et vue sur le glacier.
- 3
Parc de Merlet
Animaux de montagne en liberté face au Mont-Blanc.
- 4
Col de la Forclaz
Décollage de parapente et panorama sur le lac d'Annecy.
- 5
Gorges du Fier
Passerelle suspendue au-dessus des eaux turquoise.
