Here are just some of the activities available. Some are free, some specialist activities would need to be booked. Firstly I have listed some activites local to our chalets and apartments in Les Houches then some general activtites in the area. For any specialist guided days, Just contact us!
LES HOUCHES, things to do for all the family!
The ideal location of ECO Farm and ECO Lodge means there is so much to do on your doorstep, with no need to take the car unless you want to! ............Let's plan your day....walk the 2 mins to the BELLEVUE Cable car. This gives you access to all the fabulous WALKS, HIKES and MOUNTAIN BIKE trails of Les Houches. Stop to buy some fresh baguettes and supplies from the bakery and wonderful deli and cheese shop at Bellevue. At the top take a stroll along paths through the pretty Alpine pastures, marvel at the stunning panoramic 360 views of Les Houches and Chain de Mont Blanc, stop for a coffee at one of the buvets open in the summer. You could walk to La Charme (perfect for the little ones), a mountain farm selling homemade goats cheese and pate, buying some delicious locally produced items for a picnic lunch and see the goats and pigs, or take a hike to the rope bridge over the torrent that carries the galcier melt water down the valley towards St Gervais. Walking to the opposite side of the valley at COUPEAU there is the MOUNTAIN ZOO, a designated Natural Park, and see the wild Marmots, deer and mountain Ibex.
The MOUNTAIN BIKE trails are numerous with grades for all levels and trick rails, platforms and jumps for the more daring! BIKES can be hired from CYPRIEN sport shop just 50m from Eco Farm and Lodge. Bikes can be taken up the cable car and riden all the way down to ST GERVAIS (manic!) take the train back and do it again! We can put you in touch with some great MOUNTAIN BIKE GUIDES if you'd like something a bit more structured.
For the afternoon go fishing at the Lac de Chavants (rods can be hired) or there is a KIDS TYROLEAN ROPE walk also at Les Chavants, just 10 mins walk from ECO Farm. There is a bolted beginner CLIMBING wall here, excellent for families or if it's raining you can visit the INDOOR SIMOND CLIMBING centre and take a climbing lesson if you've never climbed before! There ais horse riding in Les Houches (5 mins by car) or visit the St Bernard farm (5 mins by car) in Servoz. Also in Servoz there is a second excellent bolted climbing wall and the wonderful GORGES DE DIOSAZ , a superb waterfall and walk. The restaurant at the bottom (same name!) serves brilliant food, they have a Michelin Apron to prove it!
Too tired to cook at the end of the day? There are several excellent restaurants just 2-5 mins walk, Le Delice, the Kitschinn and Le Basicilic all worth a mention plus the shops and supermarket of the centre (Monday is market day!)
So, what's NEXT? A day in CHamonix? For OLDER KIDS and Adults who might like to experience some adrenalin how about a PARAGLIDE, with an instructor in a double harness. Take off from BREVENT and enjoy a true birds eye view of the valley. Or for older children and teens WHITE WATER rafting, from the centre of Chamonix down the L'arve river towards Le Fayet, or for a day trip more aggressive water in Italy and canyoning can be enjoyed! Feeling hot? how about a cool down in one of the swimming pools at the SPORTS CENTRE in Chamonix, or take the MONTENVERS mountain train (great for all ages) to visit the ICE CAVES and look at the views of the bottom of the Valley BLanche. Or drive to Passy (30 mins) and swim in one of the natural LAKES or for a day trip ANNECY (an hour or so by car) is very much worth a visit.
- Climbing; indoor, mountains, fixed belay, ice (Les Houches, Chamonix, Servoz in particular)
- Tennis (Les Houches and Chamonix)
- 18 hole golf course (Flegere) and Annecy
- Summer luge and kids play park at Plannards in Chamonix
- Paradis des Praz (cafe and kids play area by stream)
- High or low walks (accompanied from 90€ half day if you like)
- Zoo at Marecot in Switzerland (Take the train)
- Merlet Alpine Zoo at Les Houches
- Visit the St. Bernard dog kennels or the Husky kennels
- Visit ice caves Valley Blanche, just take the Montenvers train, the walk down is lovely (about 1.5hrs)
- Visit gardens and Thermal baths (St. Gervais) or go to Annecy lakes for the day
- White water rafting
- Paragliding
- Mountain biking, excellent vertical descents accessible from Les Houches ski lifts!
- Horse riding and donkey rides
- Rope bridges and 'Tyrolean' walks (Les Houches and Chamonix)
- Fishing lake/ mountain 'beach' at Lac Chavants, Lacs de Passy, and Lac Sallanches.
- Sports centre (weights, indoor gym area's)
- 150 restaurants and bars and excellent shopping from Chanel to tacky!
- Swimming pools and whirly slide (Chamonix) and Ice rink
- Fantastic mountain scenery (free!)
