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I know it's sort of been covered in other threads but I'm still looking for some detail if anyone can help...
We're going out next week and staying for two weeks in a chalet in La Baume (about 20mins north of Morzine).
My kids are 8 and 10, and Hazel (8) is on a rigid 24" islabike. She copes on smoothish Brechfa style trails but still nervous on more gnarly loose and rocky tracks. Edward and me missus are comfortable on more techy stuff.
What are the trails around Lac Montriond like? And the cycle tracks that run along the valley from La Baume to Morzine...steep hills or fairly rideable for smallish ones?
I'd also like to get them up high for a couple of rides without subjecting them to full on steep stuff. What lifts would be good for that and where should we head?
I rode in Morzine 11 years ago. Is the Lindarets area where the goats are? Is there a waterfall track near there that is easy rideable? I didn't really know where I was alot of the time!
Any advice on hire shops with small full sus bikes? I was in Tignes and other bits last year and lots of shops had the little Commencal kids bikes for hire there.
Is there anything else we shouldn't miss?
Any easy mountain summits to walk to? We're all happy in the hills, I just need to know where to start!!
Thanks for any advice (or more likely thread links that I couldn't find myself!)
Oh yeah, maps...what maps for riding and walking should I be looking for?
This post coming to you live from my apartment in Montriond.
The trail along la dranse from St Jean d'Aulps is rideable by kids all the way up into morzine, and indeed on up past nyon where it's called the chemin de reynard.
Kids can also cycle from the dranse at montriond, up the valley bottom, river road towards the lac without meeting much traffic. Avoid the main road. There is a track parallel to the stream that's fine to descend but needs a bit more gumption to climb.
The ride around the lake itself is flat easy gravel. That's the only kid friendly trail at the lake. The trail on up towards the ardent falls via les albertans is steep in places. And muddy and not much fun.
Higher up I can't help much. There are a few greens, but definitions vary. From top of chaux fleurie there is a green over to the châtel bike Park side. But I can't vouch on it suiting young kids. I can't think of much I'd take my 9yr old on up there just yet.
Loads of great mountain walks. Many can be started from the lifts both up and down.
Walks around mont chery taking in mont caly recommended
Also supermorzine and zore lifts on to supermorzine for a circuit above the lac du Montriond lake. Accessible from town.
Also consider gentle walk from lindarets to bottom of brochaux from where you can take big lift to top of mossettes for great view, little stroll and back down again.
I've been up les hauts forts today, @2466m the highest in the haut chablais. Am poleaxed now though.
Can't help on kiddie bikes, but loads of hire places on rue de bourg and on rue de la plagne.
Ask any other qus in here rather than pm, as they may be of use to others.
Ps ign map 3528ET will cover all the walking and riding
Thanks Stoner, some good stuff there, brilliant.
How's the weather? I assume we need to bring clothing for every option?
You won't get cold, but we have had some tremendous storms late pm.
Rain shells and shorts mainly 😉 lovely and sunny today.
Sun cream needed.
Use http://www.walkingclub.org.uk/ign_france_maps/france.shtml
To zoom in to ign 1:25k and you will see a lot of the places I mention
Good maps! It says 'GB only' in the top left corner, does that mean I can't access the maps in France? I guess the printer at work will be busy!!
I've ridden there with kids for years and can thoroughly recommend the trail beside the River Dranse. Cycling up from La Baume will obviously be uphill with a couple of hilly bits in the woods. The section between Morzine town and the Nyon carpark is usually a bit rocky. The bit under the bridge is great, Flood erosion the winter before last meant that some minor diversions occurred last summer.
The Green runs at Les Gets are great fun, especially visiting Mont Chery.
The Tour du Golf has a couple of very steep sections that can be pushed.
The Super Morzine side has a nice new Green, easily accessed by catching the the Super Morzine and then the Zore lift. At the top, follow the big track towards Avoriaz until you find the wooden entrance to the green trail returning you to the Zore carpark.
The GR5 descent from Pointe de Mossette is such good fun for all ages but the top section is a bit loose and at one point some may consider it to be exposed. Be that as it may, I've seen huge trucks on the road at this point so it can't be that bad. The trail down to lac Vert and then to the valley at Les Linderets is wonderful but is a long way and can get very fast indeed. This leads you (eventually, via the goats) to the big waterfall trail down to Lac Montriond.
All of the above I have done with kids with bikes with pedals and brakes.
Cheers Ambrose. Some good stuff there. Where is the Tour Du Golf?
There is a Tourist Office just near us in St Jean D'Aulps but is there a shop or centre where I can get local riding tips?
I'm also thinking about getting the kids some coaching for a half day or two, any recommendations?
Thanks
Maps here - you may need to switch on IGN, purple is the paths/track summer lifts marked in same colour. I've just spent an hour researching stuff in Chamonix, great rescource.
[url= http://tab.geoportail.fr ]linky[/url]
You will pick up trail maps for free at any lift station. IGN (French OS) can be had easily online here or in Morzine bookshops/ supermarkets. There is a really good supermarket on the main road to Morzine from St Jean D'Aulps.
I'm told that Torico are good people for riding tips.
Tour du Golf is easily accessed from the top of the Pleney lift in Morzine. Just exit the lift, go 100m up the wide stony track right in front of you, follow the track, keep heading clockwise... fantastic views, inc. Mt Blanc.
Just a little bump for Saturday folk.
Bike hire and coaching tips?
Thanks
New green on the super morzine side is perfect. Soylent Green is the name. Not the existing green "Alpage" though they do cross over. Drops you down to the Serresaux lift. Brand new this year. Took my complete novice girlfriend down it and she was fine. More than doable for a kid with some experience
Alan Bike Shop on Route De La Plagne rents kids bikes
Cheers bb, might try Stoner jr on it later this summer
Yeah the 2 greens around les gets are good. Couple of steeper bits for very little ones. Should be fine for most 8 year olds. My 2 were 8 last year and loved the blues and reds around les gets but their 6yr old bro was less fussed but he didn't have any suspension.
We rented 24" commencal supremes last year and will do again (we have just arrived in Les G again). They are bomb proof but weigh a ton so gravity assisted only.
Remember that you'll need to switch the brakes over as they are set up euro style.
I bought the Portes Du Soleil VTOPO book in English which has some interesting options too.
Just walked past the new green at serrousaix and it looks good. Will definitely "session" it with Jr later this week.
Hey Stoner - you have any other tips for family activities in the area? Maybe good walks? The missus isn't too MTB inclined.
We did sixt a fer le cheval last year and loved it. I think I'll be taking the boys rafting this time too.
A
Good to see this is moving on. Lost my wifi for most of the weekend so didn't catch up with it.
Ade, what sort of prices were the kids full sus to hire?
I'll jump in here as a keen observer too - arriving in Les Gets in 6 days time with a confident 7 year old, a less confident 10 year old, a learning disabled 13 year old and a supremely confident (but actually quite sensible and safe) 16 year old, so we'll be testing out all that the whole area has to offer. Bringing 7 bikes with us so that even if we need to hire something a bit gnarlier for the 7 year old and the 16 year old, we've got "pootling about" bikes sorted (and an option for me to slip into lycra and pretend I am riding Le Tour 😉 )
Good info here, and I'll also try to remember to post updates whilst we're there for the record.
I think they are about 49euro for a whole day for kids bikes and an extra 10 for protection.
I really recommend the walk around here, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen : [url= https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g784828-d2225426-Reviews-Le_Cirque_du_Fer_a_Cheval-Sixt_Fer_a_Cheval_Grand_Massif_Haute_Savoie_Rhone_Alpes.html ]Sixt [/url]
The green on the chavannes side of Les gets is a bit plagued with breaking bumps this year which is a shame, the Mont chery side is okay but shorter. You can join up the chery side one with the xc loop which is okay, not too taxing and just scenic fire track which makes it a bit more worth while and has a couple of restaurant options.
Enjoy.
Ade, loads of other stuff. Just cooking, will post later
Things to do
Loads of good family walks
Col du joux plan to bourgeoise
Top of chaux fleurie to pointe de chesery
Lindarets to brochaux then lift to mosettes
Lac du mines d'or to Col de coux
Plateau du nyon
Chemin du reynard upstream from town or follow le dranse downstream towards St Jean d'alpes
Pleney lift and a walk along the ridge
The multipass can be great value for money if you do the numbers. It covers lifts and the swimming pool as well as discount on other things.
We bought season tickets but are out here for over 30 days. I take the kids to play tennis or swim for free every day and at least every other day we take a lift to go for a walk. You can by day passes.
Kids will enjoy the "go ape" parc indiana just downstream of the swimming pool at dereches although it costs a bit
Mucking about in the river is really chilled. Its v accessible, safe and relaxing. Bloody cold too though.
If you have a car head down the valley to the Pont du diabolo. Interesting gorge /geology walk.
Montriond lake has kayak and stand up paddle hire for €8 1/2hr €15 1hr
There's a kids swimming lake there too.
There's a new bus service from morzine to the lake, timetable on Montriond Marie website
Aquariaz in avoriaz is a lot of fun, drive to prodains lift and go up in the super dooper cabins. They go every half hour and hour in summer. Fun in itself.
For everyone, my top tip not to be missed advice is to have lunch at les marmottes. The last restaurant on the way out the bottom of the Lindarets bowl. Best grub and vfm on the mountain. Superb, friendly service. And Sunday lunch of rotisserie ham on the bone is a must. Family of four, stuffed with great food, drinks, coffees and ice cream for €70.
Best bread in town is the baguette du tradition in the bakery on route de last plagne, near the pharmacy.
Live music every Thursday night from 7ish with great inexpensive grub at la marmotte d'or in Montriond, winner of Morzine source magazine best bar two years in a row and my local.
If you're a sk8r boi or grl the new skate park at dereches is pretty brilliant too. Bring yer trucks.
Cheers Stoner - lots of great info. We are just heading over to lac Montriond today.
Good stuff.
I'm taking Stoner Jr Sr cycling from here to the lac du mines d'or and back. 20km of off road easy trails.
Will probably be in the marmotte d'or around 5ish this afternoon after a bit of work.
Thanks for all the info Stoner. Lots to look into there. Can't wait!
Oh, a question from my daughter...are we likely to see Marmots and where is the best place to look for them?
She is obsessed since I gave her a cuddly toy from my trip last year!
I've seen 2 in the last 6 years and it was always on a random mountain
Ade: can you point on a map where your scenic fire road ride is near Mont Chery please?
Lister, I'm guessing it's the one from the mont chery bubble towards mont caly. Great views of mont blanc and mont caly good for lunch.
I've never seen a marmotte but think you have to be fairly out there. Which is annoying as I spend a lot of time on the higher, harder and less travelled walks. I
Yeah that's the one stoner. It's on all the piste maps 'boucle des clarines' it's called.
The real easy ride I did with the family last time was from the junction near a go-ape style thing on the way in to Samoens. There is a path along the side of the river for a good distance, no hills, plenty of picnic spots. Some shelter from the sun / rain in the trees.
Good luck!
We're heading to mont caly for lunch en famille tomorrow.
The value of the multipass :
Cycle to Morzine, leave the bikes and take the Pleney up the hill (free), a walk along the ridge and take Chavannes down to Les Gets (free), coffee in Les Gets and walks across to the bubble, up Mont Chery (free), telesiege de la pointe to the top of Mont Chery (free) walk to Mont Caly for lunch and back to bubble down (free), then bus from Les Gets back to Morzine (free).
Jambalaya, any particular recommendation for lunch at Caly?
Sounds like a good day Stoner. I quite like the Belvedere Restaurant too at the top of Mont Chery bubble. From Mont Caly there is a slightly more interesting route up along the ridge too (you can't miss it), next to a cattle grid... just as another option.
The chair lift to the top from Mont Chery (after the bubble) has been a bit hit and miss this week, not sure why.
Cheers for that. If the top lift is open we will take it and walk the Ridge to caly, if closed will just go there and back in the double track from the bubble. I've only ever ridden it myself as it's on a route I do via col d'encrenaz
2 weeks isn't going to be enough!
Nope. Its why we're out here 21 July to 28 August 😉
Nice here, innit?
Lovely. Cracking ride today (see other thread)
Where are you staying?
taking my 2 young uns over to chatel again tomorrow, they loved the blues and greens over there the other day, riding out from morzine early in morning, is the gr5 descent from the mossettes lift ok for little uns? they're fairly capable on reds, just wasnt sure how steep/techy it would be? and the mrs fancied something a little more xc other than berms and tables...
if you see us say hi, one lad on yellow 24" stinky and the other on a green 24" Orange patriot...
oh and watch out a few lads have had chalets broken into and bikes stolen. 3 chalets the night before last got done...
We are in a chalet above La Baume, bit of a trek to get to but lush views. Sorting the multi passes tomorrow and will initiate the kids into the fun of ski lifts (without bikes). And a swim I reckon.
Any top places to get cheap lunches?
is the gr5 descent from the mossettes lift ok for little uns?
Should be fine. Not as flat out as the alternative "megagravalanche" option. First bit can be very fast but it's straight. Small climb in the middle.
cheers BB...
Best food vfm on the hill is les marmottes at the bottom lip of the lindarets bowl where the road comes up between the rocks.
twas a nice little addition onto the days ride, wasnt tech at all and pretty fast in places, led nicely into the descent to lindarets too.
wouldnt do it on my own but as a family trail it was fun.
the new green at the top of the zore lift is a giggle too, definitely child friendly
We broke the kids in gently today. Rode from St Jean to Morzine along the river trail. Nice singletrack in places, not too steep most of the time up into morzine but fun enough on the way back down. We parked by the horse place Ranch de PDS which is down by the river behind the old derelict medical centre building.
Good fun without being too in your face for my smallest who can struggle for confidence.
Carl; are the Chatel trails around the Pierre Longue lift?
yes off that lift and chuax fleurie (sp?) and lindarets, but if your little one struggles for confidence then i wouldn't recommend it, even panoramic green has some large steep berms which could prove difficult for little ones.
the les gets green off the chavannes lift is a better introduction and not half as busy.
Agree
The green to chatel from chaux fleurie is a transit green with a lot of traffic and some big features for a green.
I will be taking Jr to super morzine /serrausaix /zore.
Thanks. What is the blue like from Les Gets to Montriond like? It sort of runs parallel to the main road. Looking for little circuits on the piste map at the moment.
Sorry, one more question: I see in the big a4 Morzine handbook that you can buy single journeys on some lifts. For example the Avoriaz lift network it says valid for super moraine, lindarets, mossettes and zore etc. Will a 1 way ticket only work for one lift? ie if we buy at bottom of super m then we couldn't get on the zore as well? Probably a silly question...
Re: number of uplifts- AFAIK you will only get a single journey. So if you are in Morzine (at the Super Morzine lift) you need to ask for a ticket to the top of the Zore.
Re: Les Gets to Montriond- it's a really nice ride. The riverside path up from Montriond to Morzine is nice too. Very relaxing indeed even if it is (very gently) uphill.
The green from Montriond to morzine is our daily commute during summer. Safe and easy for the boys. The route extends North to St Jean d'Aulps as an easy route, and South past nyon towards le lac des mines d'or. The southern section is a little more demanding due to the gentle climb steepening just a bit, but it's not technical.
Tickets are for zoned areas unless you get the pds pass. Passes are for days. Zone tickets can be bought with a number of trajets on them, each trajet is a single lift ride so to get up on to super morzine requires two trajets. (bubble and zore)