We all know the struggles of trying to balance a family summer holiday and still get some quality bike time locked in during the short summer season.
Well the great thing about Morzine is that you can get the best of both worlds and keep everyone happy all in the same holiday. Morzine has lovely warm sunny weather, a beautiful lake for sunbathing and swimming, multiple spa’s, and a plethora of non bike related adventurous activities on offer. Chuck some incredible restaurants and great nightlife into the mix and you’ve got the recipe for an amazing holiday. There really is so much more to Morzine than just bikes.
We know you don't need any encouragement to holiday in Morzine but we thought we’d give you a little extra ammunition to help fight the Morzine corner of your upcoming holiday planning debates at home.
10 Reasons Why A Summer Holiday In Morzine Is Perfect For Everyone
1. Lakes & Waterfalls
Just a short drive, or in some cases walk from Morzine centre there are multiple lakes and waterfalls that are just perfect for relaxing in the sun and cooling off in the crystal clear alpine waters. Lake Montriond is the real crowd pleaser when it comes to places to enjoy a nice relaxing day in Morzine. The Lake is just a short 5 minute drive from the centre of Morzine (there is also a free bus) and has everything you or your family/better half could need. The expansive grassy banks of the lake are perfect for sunbathing or a picnic or simply relaxing with a book. There are BBQ pits, a child’s swimming area, crazy golf, donkey rides and plenty of places to get food and refreshments from.
Lac des Mines d’Or is another absolutely stunning alpine lake within easy reach of Morzine village centre. Although it is not possible to swim in this lake, it is the perfect spot to sit and relax in the sun and take in the breath-taking scenery. There are plenty of picnic benches dotted around the lake and the northern shore has a large grassy area offering stunning views of the lake and the imposing Tete de Bostan cliffs behind. There are also some incredible hikes to be done from the lake.
The Nyon waterfall is easily accessed from Morzine on foot with an easy flat 30 minute walk along the river. You’ll be rewarded with a stunning waterfall and plunge pool which is perfect for a quick dip. The waterfall is fed from snow melt high up on the Nyon mountain so expect the water to be refreshing. The waterfall is also the finishing point for the canyoning route down the gorge above so it's also a great place to watch people slide and jump around the falls (the canyoning trip is well worth doing too).
If you’ve driven out to Morzine, Lake Annecy is also really worth a visit and is just an hour and a half away. It’s the perfect destination for a day trip from Morzine and as well as the stunning lake, offers a beautiful town to explore with some wonderful shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy.
2. Hiking
Hiking is huge in Morzine!! From easy flat hikes along the river to huge mountain summits, the hiking on offer is almost inexhaustible. The extensive trail network in the area is well signposted and takes in some of the best views and landscapes in the region. The higher you get, the better the views and many of the routes will get you a glimpse of Mont Blanc - Europe's highest peak. Hiking is also a really cost effective way to add a little something different to your trip to Morzine as its completely free (in monetary terms anyway, effort wise….not so much). The Col de Cou is one of our personal favourite hikes which follows an old smuggling route from the second world war. The Col de Cou route leads up to the Swiss border and was used by French resistance fighters to smuggle people out of occupied France into neutral Switzerland and bring weapons back in.
Hiking in Morzine offers some truly unique views of the spectacular scenery that surrounds our little mountain village and we couldn't recommend getting out amongst it highly enough!
3.Watersports
If your better half or family members enjoy watersports then Morzine is well equipped to keep them entertained. As well as the lakes, waterfalls and swimming complexes, Morzine also has a wide range of more adventurous water based activities too. There is an exceptional canyoning route that begins with a huge abseil from a bridge down into a spectacular gorge. You’ll then slip, slide, jump and swim your way down through waterfalls, gorges and plunge pools ending up in the Nyon waterfall. There are multiple white water rafting routes that descend the River Dranse down towards Lake Geneva. Kayaking and hydrospeeding are also all possible on the river or if you fancy a slightly slower pace you can also SUP board or canoe on Lake Montriond.
4. Incredible Food
Morzine has some incredible restaurants, gone are the days of the food on a holiday in France being just meat and cheese, there’s plenty of variation to keep even the most particular of dietary requirements happ, plus there is still plenty of wine and cheese to be had. Morzine has a wonderful selection of restaurants offering cuisine from all over the world. Fortunately for us, the restaurant at our very own Hideout Hostel has been voted the best food in Morzine multiple times and offers incredible Asian inspired street food. From fast food takeaways to Michelin Star fine dining, you really are spoilt for choice in Morzine.
5. Nightlife
Morzine has a lively and vibrant nightlife with a plethora of bars and late night venues. Live music and DJ’s are a common occurrence throughout the summer and it’s easy to find a venue that suits your vibe. The Bec Jaune is Morzine’s very own brewery pub and is great for a beer (or a spot of dinner) in the early evening, as is Rogers bar, The Rhodos, Haka or The Dixie Bar. If you want to try the Morzine specialty beer then head to Bar Robinson in the afternoon or early evening and get yourself a pint of the infamous Mutzig… It's pretty special! There are two main late night venues in Morzine with most revellers heading to Cafe Chaud in the evenings before those that are still keen to keep the night alive head to L’Opera nightclub to dance into the early hours.
6. Weather
The weather in Morzine during the summer is generally warm and sunny. Perfect for sunbathing and topping up the tan. It’s not uncommon for summer temperatures to sit in the high 20’s to early 30’s (degrees C) providing perfect summer holiday weather. Morzine sits at the heart of the Portes du Soleil, or “The Gates of The Sun” as it’s translated so the clue is in the name really….
7. Spa’s & Treatments
If you or your partner is into getting some well earned R&R whilst on holiday then you're in luck. Morzine has a multitude of spas and treatments widely available, from spas with saunas, hot tubs and Turkish baths to massage therapists who will come to your hotel/chalet/apartment and treat you in the comfort of your accommodation, Morzine has got the lot! For those looking for a relaxing stay Le Coin Perdu has private access to Les Gets newest spa facility and Le Petit Dru hotel offers some amazing spa facilities.
8. Swimming Complexes
Morzine has two awesome swimming complexes which are great for families or those wanting to escape the heat or just sit and relax by the pool. The Palais des Sports is located in the centre of town and is super easy to get to from any of our Morzine properties.
The pool has multiple indoor and outdoor pools, a water slide and kids pool as well as a large spa and sauna area with Turkish baths. The loungers and grassy park area make a great spot for reading a book or simply topping up the tan. The Palais des Sports sits just below the Super Morzine suspension bridge.
If you’re visiting in July or August then the Aquariaz water park in Avoriaz is also a great option. The indoor water park boasts warm 30 degree waters and is a tropical paradise. There is a lazy river, water slides, hot tubs and multiple pools to explore. Aquariaz is especially good for those holidaying with their kids.
9. Events
Throughout the summer season in Morzine there is a jam packed events calendar full of fun and famous events. There really is something for everyone in there. You can see the full run down here but the highlights for summer 2022 include the UCI mtb DH World Champs being held in Les Gets in August, The Tour de France visits Morzine in July, The Harley Days Harley Davidson Festival in July and Fete du Lac Fireworks festival in August. And that's not to mention the Bike Morzine mates race series throughout the season too!
10. Adventure Sports
Morzine is an adrenaline junkies paradise and if heights get your loved one’s blood pumping then there are a number of ways for them to get their kicks in Morzine. First on the to-do list should be paragliding. If you’ve been to Morzine before you will have noticed the paragliders soaring high above the village riding the thermals before embarking on a spiralling descent to land on the lower slopes of le Pleney. There are multiple companies offering tandem flights and they’ll even GoPro it too.
Next up on the high altitude hit list should be the Fantasticable. Located above the Chatel bike park, the Fantasticable is a high speed, high altitude zip line where you lie face down, face first and cross the valley like superman at very high speed.
Rock climbing and Via Ferrata tours are also available in Morzine and there are also multiple high ropes courses located throughout the village.
Stay With Bike Morzine
Morzine is far more than just bikes and offers the ultimate all round alpine summer holiday, through the perfect blend of activities and relaxation. If you have any questions or would like any advice on how to book or access any of the aforementioned activities, feel free to get in touch with our friendly team or check out our extensive range of holiday accommodation in Morzine and Les Gets.
