Summer is here and it’s brought along a delightful heat wave to most of Europe meaning that most of us are stuck indoors desperately trying not to pass out in a sweaty puddle. That is why when my family told me they had managed to wrangle a chalet in the French Alps for a couple weeks, I could not wait to go. Fresh alpine air, the jingle jangle of cow bells and gorgeous views; this is what you need when it’s stifling in the city.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
La Clusaz is a picturesque town located in the Haute-Savoie region of France, very close to the Swiss border. Known primarily as a ski region, in summer it is transformed into a mountain sports paradise. From the groups of men clad in lycra cycling up the 1487 m to the Col des Aravis every morning to the rock climbers and mountain bikers, if there is a mountain sport you love, this is the place to do it.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Our sport of choice was hiking and the La Clusaz areas offers plenty of routes. With four main ski lifts in operation all summer, you don’t have to hike very far to get spectacular views. We decided to take the Beauregard gondola up and hike back down.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
As you can see from the photos, the view back over the valley onto La Clusaz is stunning. The French style chalets you pass on the hike are all beautiful, simple and look as if they have always been there.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
It took us around 2.5 hours to get down although it should only take you an hour and a half. As we followed one sign for the way down to La Clusaz, the path that started out so promising soon became more and more difficult to make out. Eventually, we were just skidding down the mountain-side, trying to avoid the trees (not always successfully) and hoping we would find the path again.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Eventually we made our way down but it did make me realise that it really is best to have a hiking map with you if you don’t know the area well. All in all, I would throughly recommend the La Clusaz region for a summer holiday. The hiking is beautiful, the food is fantastic (the tartiflette is a killer) and the wine is delicious. Plus, you’re only 20 minutes from one of the most beautiful lakes in the world, Lake Annecy.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
