Our Top Family Friendly Hiking Routes

Access to the endless supply of fantastic hiking routes couldn't be easier from our Luxury Chamonix Chalets from hikes up to ancient glaciers to leisurely walks along the river Arve there is something for everyone!

HIKES FROM LES BOSSONS 

Directly from our Luxury Chalets Amazon Creek, Baloo, and Baby Bear there is access to some of the best family friendly hikes chamonix has to offer. Here are a couple of our favorites.

Chalet de Glacier des Bossons

• Time: 1h20 round trip,
• Distance: 3km
• Altitude Gain/Loss: 260m+/- 
• Difficulty: Easy

A great family hike that is clearly signposted from the forest directly adjacent to the chalets. The route winds up through the trees and it take around 40 minutes to reach the Chalet de Glacier des Bossons. Flowers adorn the entrance to the chalet and the pretty terrace, with a canopy of colorful sun umbrellas, has unbeatable views over the Glacier des Bossons and the Aiguille de Chamonix. You’ll find the chalet serves traditional mountain food, drinks, ice creams and snacks, which make it the perfect place for a spot of lunch! 

From the Chalet de Glacier des Bossons there is a photo exhibition, recounting the life and history of the Glacier, it guides you a short distance up to a panoramic viewing platform of the glacier. Each panel along the path presents a particular story about the glacier: you’ll learn about the mini ice-age and the ice grotto that was carved into the glacier for tourists back in the 19th century. And you will learn about the air crashes on Mont-Blanc decades ago (there are even parts of the 1960 Air India Malabar Princesse airplane which crashed into an arête of Mont Blanc – these airplane parts have been retrieved from the glacier over the years!).

This hike is such a popular hike for families namely due to the number of ways you can alter the hike to suit even the youngest and walk shy members of the family! Starting with the option to take the 2 seater chair lift up and/or down the route. The 2-seater télésiège was most definitely a highlight for many, it is important to note that small children MUST be accompanied by an adult, and do be vigilant, as there is a security bar, but no extra security features like on modern ski chairlifts!

If you choose to take the lift up the Chalet du Glacier des Bossons is only a short 5 minute walk from the arrival point. The path divides just before you reach the Chalet, with the path veering upwards to the right heading off to the Chalet des Pyramides and La Jonction. More competent hikers may wish to head to the Chalet des Pyramides (views of the glacier’s ice cascade, the ice-pinnacles and the ice pyramids) or even further to La Jonction (full day hike requiring early start).

Merlet Animal Park

• Time: 1h30 one way 
• Distance: 3km
• Altitude Gain/Loss: 500m+/- 
• Difficulty: Medium 

From the chalets take a right turn and head down the main road to the Les Bossons train station, keep right passed the station and cross the bridge over the river Arve, this will bring you to the pathway where you will see the sign post directing you to ''Parc Animalier du Merlet''. The climb up weaves through the trees taking many twists and turn until you reach an opening and the entrance to the animal park. 

The Merlet Animal Park is situated at an altitude of 1,563m above the Chamonix valley in the Haute-Savoie. From this privileged position, 600m above the village of Les Houches (950m) there is a magnificent panorama of the Mont Blanc Massif with its permanent snow, many glaciers and 28 peaks over 4,000m.

The Park covers an area of ??21 hectares of pasture, rock outcrops and pine forest. The Park shelters more than 80 mountain animals in their natural habitat. Of the 8 wild species living in the Animal Park, 7 are indigenous: the Ibex (Bouquetin in French), the Chamois, the Mouflon, the Fallow Deer, the Sika Deer, the Roe Deer and the Marmot.  In the Merlet Animal Park, there are no fences, the animals roam freely and can be easily approached, but it is wise to be respectful of their space and maintain a safe distance.

There is a restaurant inside the park or you can take a picnic and use the benches just outside the park and at the top of the hiking route to stop and have some lunch. 

The walk around Merlet may be enough for some of the smallest family members, so there is always the option to drive up and park just a short walk from the park in designated road side parking. Alternatively speak with your Amazon Creek chalet team about organising a private chauffeur service, allowing you to enjoy the walk down but avoid the hike up!

HIKES FROM LES TINES

With direct access from Chalet Dalmore these two hikes are a must do your next Luxury Family Chalet Vacation.

Lac Blanc

• Time: 3h round trip,
• Distance: 4km
• Altitude Gain/Loss: 175m+/430-
• Difficulty: Easy

There are many variations to get to Lac Blanc. This route is less used than the one departing from the arrival station of the cable car of the Flégère and is more family friendly, cutting out a lot of the uphill work! From the Chalet head to the Flégère lift station (5 minutes walk passed the golf course). 

At the lift take a ticket From Flégère-Index and return Flégère, take the cable car from the Flégère and then the Index chairlift all the way to the top. The trail descends to the right of the arrival of the Index chairlift and passes by the small lake of the Fouet. You will reach Lac Blanc after about 1 hour and 20 minutes. In summer, the thawed Lac Blanc (actually two lakes joined) is a turquoise color. We suggest passing on the right of the first body of water to go for a picnic at the edge of the second lake, as it is normally a bit quieter.

When you are ready to head back take the arrowed path to the left of Lakes of Chéserys. The trail descends to the shores of the southern lake of Chéserys (2211m) using a short and easy ladder that allows you to cross a rocky area. Following the trail, you can see the other lakes before reaching an intersection where you have a 180-degree panorama of the Mont Blanc range.

Take a right to reach the Tour Du Mont Blanc, a trail that is continued towards the chalet of Chéserys (1998m) and then to the hut of the Chavanne. A short climb takes you back to the top station of the Flégère cable car (1877m). Where you can take the trip down and the short 5 minute walk back to the chalet for a evening BBQ on the terrace!

Le Chapeau 

• Time: 2h40 round trip,
• Distance: 5km
• Altitude Gain/Loss: 500m+/- 
• Difficulty: Medium 

From the chalet head towards the main road and cross the railway track, once on the other side head towards the forest opposite the Les Tines train station (5 minute walk with the rail track on your left hand side). Head into the forest on the path known as "Chemin de la Pierre ". A little higher up, just before the reservoir, take the path on the right leading to the Source d'Arveyron. At the next intersection, head left following the Le Chapeau itinerary. 

This walk is like no other, on the way up you have several opportunities to approach the edge of the path and view the waterfalls, from some smaller torrents to the Cascade du torrent du Chapeau. Perfect for some uphill distraction for the youngest hikers in the family! What better way to reward the uphill journe than with lunch at Le Chapeau. The perfect reward with its beautiful views over the Mer de Glace, the Gorges de l'Arveyron, the Aiguilles and the Chamonix valley, before heading back down to the chalet for a cool down in the swimming pool!

For more hiking route ideas check out our post on the 'The Best Hiking Routes Chamonix has to offer'.