The beauty of the Alps

There is an extraordinary range of things to do when the snow melts and the alpine flowers emerge. The cows are led up to the high pastures and the predominant sound is of cow bells ringing out through the valley. La Croix Meridionale is available to hire throughout the year (see details on "the deal" page) and there are few things more relaxing than sitting out on the deck after a day walking or biking in the mountains or swimming in the Lake sipping a glass of local white wine enjoying the way the setting sun changes the colour of the mountains.

Things to do locally....

There are a number of valley and high mountain walks starting from the chalet itself. Walking maps are available in the chalet and you can choose to walk up to the winter ski fields now covered in wild flowers and berries, across to the charming hamlet of La Charmette or climb high up on the Aravis range scaling Etale or picnicing high by the lake on Mont Charvin. The views are spectacular.

For the more adventurous

Via Ferrata involves assisted technical climbing by using safety harnesses and clips. Full information on local operators can be found on the La Clusaz website.

In Thones, Aravis Parc d'Aventures is great fun for children and adults alike with a series of graded harness and clip adventures in the trees with a number of flying foxes including two across the Fier. For more details see the Aravis Adventures website. They can organise Via Ferrata and Canyoning trips as well.

Cycling in the summer in France is a way of life and the road leading up to Manigod from Thones is awash in the lurid colours of cyclists as they ascend to La Croix Fry. The Tour de France came up the valley road in July 2004 with the stage being won, of course, by Lance Armstrong.

Apart from road cycling, the La Clusaz valley has extensive mountain bike paths (VTT) with some of the chairlifts and gondolas operating to get bikes, riders and walkers up high quickly.

We recommend for those seeking a more gentle walk that you follow some of the circular paths on the Beauregard plateau, from where you will find spectacular views of the entire Aravis range and beyond, to the Mt Blanc massif. In the high season you will find plenty of restaurants and refuges providing lunch.

Annecy and the Lake

Annecy and its lake are truly beautiful. From the chateau and narrow cobbled stone streets of the old town and the colourful regular market to the yachts on the lake and the beaches dotted around the lake, you can be as active or as lazy as you want. Kids, of all ages, will love hiring pedaloes with slides and heading out into the lake. Swimming in fresh water is wonderful and the water in summer reaches a mild 24 degrees celsius, that is about 10 degrees warmer than the water off Cornwall. Other possibilities include water skiing and windsurfing.

Further afield

The river that rises on Mt Charvin and flows through the Manigod valley, the Fier, has created a spectacular gorge to the west of Annecy. For more details see the Gorges du Fier website. Similarly, at Seythenex, you can climb through an extensive cave system : click here for their website.

Chamonix and the Mt Blanc massif is a little over an hour's drive and you are able to get a cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi and see the summit of Mt Blanc at close hand as well as catching a rack railway up to Montenevers and visiting the glacial ice caves on the Mer du Glace. The walking is outstanding and maps are available in the chalet.

On the way you can visit Megeve and Saint Gervais or alternatively, you can head south and be in the lovely Beaufort valley in a similar time.

Alternatively, Aix Les Bains is a traditional spa town on Lac d' Bourget just 20 minutes on the motorway from Annecy.