Adventure holidays in the French Alps - Thrilling Alpine Adventures in Beautiful Megève

Hiking, Guided Hiking, Canine Hiking & Glacier Hiking

Megève and the surrounding area is full of beautiful routes to suit every level of hiker. The lifts are open during summer in the French Alps so you can start from up high with wonderful views! We can provide you with the maps and even take you further afield if you’d like to start from somewhere other than the centre of Megève.

Evo 2 - our activities partner, can offer a more immersive experience of the local flora and fauna, join a hiking guide to discover walking trails off the beaten track. Ideal as a highlight to a hiking holiday or as an in-depth taster into what the region’s walking trails have to offer.

Canine hiking with Evo 2 - Ever wondered what sled-dogs get up to in the summer? Well, here’s one thing that keeps them busy. After getting to know each other, you and your dog are attached by harness and get to share an Alpine hike together. Ideal for animal and mountain lovers alike.

Glacier Hiking with Evo 2 - With various levels of difficulty available, you can tailor your experience to suit your group’s ability and fitness level. From 4-hour walks along the Mer de Glace (with some ice climbing included!) to a multi-day trip from Chamonix to Zermatt, there are plenty of options to choose from. 

Via Ferrata with Evo 2

Man made walk ways high in the mountains.  Is it scary - I thought so!  You are roped on but will have to scale cliff faces and obstacles.  Don't worry, Evo 2's qualified guides will take great care of you!  With various courses available in the area, this is a great place to have a go & conquer your fears.  

Accrobranche - Go Ape!

Tree-top adventure courses are just as popular out in the French Alps as in the UK. There are a few to choose from in the area, but the closest one, Cote2000 Aventure, is just a 15-minute drive up into the mountain range above Megève. There are two courses to choose from, one for under 135cm and one for over.  Tarzan jumps, zip wires, including a great snowboarding one and a whole host of other challenges are included in the 100-piece course.  The long course takes approximately 2 hours and can be done in any weather.  

Climbing with Evo 2

Beginner lessons, guided climbs and advanced courses are all available with Evolution 2. Like with any of the activities, we can offer transport to get you right to the base camp and back to Megève at the end of the day.

Climbing Mont Blanc!  This is the big one. Climb western Europe’s tallest peak for unprecedented views over the Alps in every direction. Choose from a 2-day ascent via the normal route, an altered ascent via the “Cosmic” route or a 5-day boot camp to acclimatise and climb the peak. 

Road Cycling

Megève welcomed the Tour de France three times in 2016. The local area is teeming with world-famous cols, exhilarating descents and the history and views to go with them. We can provide you with maps and take you further afield, or pick you up after your day of riding. We have much more information on our road cycling page so browse away!  Bike hire is available in Combloux, just below Megeve but many die hard riders choose to bring their babies with them.

Mountain Biking 

Megève has some fun, accessible downhill purpose built mountain bike tracks at Jaillet and Bettex as well as miles of cross-country trails. Take the lift up to save your energy for the fun part! We can help with bike hire, lift pass purchases and route planning. For the more experienced rider we can organise a trip over to Morzine or Les Gets, a little over an hour’s drive from Megève.  Electric mountain bikes are also available, just to help you on the small hills out there! 

Horse riding and pony trekking

For the novice or the pro, Megève’s scenic trails are a wonderful place to go riding. The local riding school offers everything from a 15-minute pony trek to 6-day horse riding courses and everything in between! 

Golf

Megève has its very own 18-hole golf course nestled above the town, on the plateau of Mont d’Arbois. There aren’t many more scenic places to play a round than here, with the valley below you and mountains for miles around. 

Luge de Jaillet

Newly rebuilt in 2016, this roller-coaster-style luge will be familiar to many who have travelled the Alps.  Megève’s luge is on the lower slopes of the Jaillet ski area, just a 20-minute walk from the chalet. One or two to a luge, you control your own brakes and let the track lead you back down to the valley floor at your own pace, enjoying great views the whole time. 

Sightseeing in Megève

Megève itself is a gem of a town, nestled in the Arly valley. Approaching its 100-year anniversary as a ski resort, it was one of the first towns in France to be converted into a winter paradise and hasn’t lost its traditional, Alpine feel. Explore its cobbled streets, 12th century medieval church, quiet back alleys, the Calvaire (pilgrims way), chic boutiques, weekly market and picturesque square that has made it a favourite with French visitors for so long.

Summer on the Farm in Megève

Ever wondered how they make cheese?  Wonder no more.  You can visit the local farms in Megeve and find out for yourself not to mention try a bit and maybe buy some abondance or tomme de savoie to take home for yourself!  La Ferme de Joseph is a great place to start and maybe to have great lunch as well.  Or try La Ferme de la Cote 2000 for tomme and reblochon cheeses (04 50 58 75 49), L'Alpage les Tetes, Route du Leutax-Very for goat's cheese and the possibility to attend milking (06 09 40 55 12) and Les Jardins de la Mottaz, 150 Route du Villaret, for fruit, veg and jams (04 50 58 75 49 4:00-7:30pm). 

Swimming Pools & Thermal Baths

The Palais des Sports - The largest of its kind in the Alps, Megève’s Sports Centre underwent a huge renovation and expansion project ending in 2016. With state of the art facilities including a huge outdoor swimming pool, slides for the kids, a children's outdoor splash pool, indoor pool, wellness pools, spa, tennis courts, gym and ice rink it has everything you need to have fun (or pamper) yourself this summer - wonderful mountain views too! Our chalet is about a 15 minute walk from the Palais.

St Gervais Thermal Baths and Spa - For those looking to pamper themselves, Les Thermes de Saint Gervais have got you covered. The natural hot springs here are used in all kinds of therapeutic treatments and are even claimed to hold healing properties for dermatological, respiratory and rheumatic problems. A full range of massage and relaxation treatments is also on offer.

Swimming Lakes

The Plein d'Eau at Combloux is a must during your stay.  A beautiful, naturally filtered swimming lake set on a plateau looking out to Mont Blanc and the Aiguille du Midi.  What better way to relax!  There is also a rather good restaurant and a wellness/spa where you can indulge in a massage.

There are two other local lakes at Flumet and Passy.  The Flumet lake doesn't have the views as it's in a dip but has nice grassy surrounds and a pontoon to swim out to, a shallow end for the kids and it has a nice feel to it.  Great ice creams at the far end as well.  The Passy lake is much larger and has great views of Mont Blanc but does get busy.  Swim end to end if you're doing triathlon training or just potter if you want a swim.  This is the warmest lake.  There is also a low ropes course, inflatables for the kids and various other amusements.  These lakes are free.  

Canyoning – Evo 2

Helmet and wetsuit on, you’ll jump, slide, abseil and swim your way down a river canyon with the help of your guide. Definitely a day to remember! Choose from a half-day experience in Megève or Chamonix, or a full-day trip to Italy’s Aosta valley. Minimum age 10 years old.

Rafting – Evo 2

Whether it’s a tamer “discovery” session or an adrenaline-filled white-water experience you’re after, the local valleys won’t disappoint. Kitted out with helmets, wetsuits and paddles, you and your team will navigate the river with the help of a qualified guide. Minimum age 7 years old.

Air boat/Canoe Raft - Evo 2

The airboats and canoe-rafts, respectively 1-seater and 2-seater inflatable rafts, are easy to learn and manoeuvre. Navigate your way down the Arve River with the help of your guide, enjoying great views of Mont Blanc along the way. Minimum age 12 years old.

Hydrospeed - Evo 2

The most aquatic of all the water activities! Equipped with a fully padded wet suit, life jacket, a pair of flippers and a protective floating device used as a rudder, you will swim and surf your way down the rapids with the help of your guide. Minimum age 12 years old.

Hot Air Ballooning

For a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, take to the skies for an hour-long flight in a hot air balloon over Megève and the surrounding mountains. Your celebratory champagne in hand, you’ll see the Mont Blanc massif and much of the French, Italian and Swiss Alps from a whole new perspective. You might even fly over the Chalet Les Clochettes!   Bookable with www.alpes-montgolfiere.fr

Paragliding – Evo 2

A tandem paraglider flight is a truly amazing way to see the local area from above. Choose from a range of flight times and routes and enjoy the twists and turns as you sit serenely under your canopy marvelling at the views. Age restrictions apply.

Helicopter Flight - Evo 2

The dream day out for many: a helicopter flight around the Mont Blanc area. From 10 to 30+ minutes in the air, choose your route and then hang on tight for a spectacular tour over the many peaks, glaciers and pastures that make up the Chamonix Valley and the Mont Blanc Massif. 

Annecy Day Trip

The beautiful historic town of Annecy is a touch over an hour by car from Megève. Enjoy its medieval old-town, its grand castle, its water sports and its famous ice cream parlours. A great summer’s day out. 

Chamonix Day Trip - including the Aiguille du Midi

At the foot of Mont Blanc, Chamonix is consumed by mountain sports all year round. The town itself has a great buzz in the summer, with a bustling centre, endless hiking routes and some great bars and restaurants. For those with a head for heights, head up to Europe’s highest cable car station, the Aiguille du Midi, for once-in-a-lifetime views of Mont Blanc and the surrounding area. Adult return price 60€ summer 2017. For the more sedate try the Montenvers railway which winds up Mont Blanc on to the glacier and you can catch the cable car down (and walk a lot of steps) to the glacier and explore the ice caves.  Around 35 minutes by car.  

Mountain drive to Montreux / Chateau de Chillon

Around 2 hours each way by car, this journey will take you through the Chamonix valley, up the mountain pass to the border and down to the Swiss town of Martigny. You’ll then continue towards Lake Geneva, to the Chateau de Chillon near Villeneuve. This castle is fantastically well-preserved and you are free to roam its extensive towers and battlements with or without an English audio guide. Castle tickets CHF12.50 summer 2017.

Montreux is the home of an internationally-renowned annual Jazz festival, and the lakeside promenade is a picture-perfect trail of summer flowers, sparkling water and views over the lake back into France. Freddie Mercury had his second home here, and the town also featured in the Deep Purple song “Smoke on the Water”.