Bikes, walks and adventure parks

The pace of the last couple of days has been decidedly slow. In typically British fashion I’ve got to add that the weather hasn’t exactly been driving us along. Very cool in comparison to expectations, and at times a bit wet too. Evenings by the fire were not what I had in mind for July!
To celebrate Sam’s 5th birthday on Monday, we jumped on the bikes and headed down to Chamonix. Using the riverside track, we kept away from the traffic and made it all the way to Place du Mont Blanc before locking the bikes up at the station. A great ride down and the kids loved it.On then to the adventure park over by the Montenvers train, with the main objective of a few blasts down the summer luge. However, there was a slight cock up in the plan as 1. The park now charges an entry fee for the day and 2. The summer luge was shut.

Last year we were able to buy a few tokens and it felt like good value entertainment as the kids ‘paid as they played’. At 40 Euros for a family ticket, it felt like an expensive birthday treat. And that’s discounted from the 52 Euros we would have paid if the luge had been operating.

Another slight annoyance is the fact that they charge by height – under 1m tall in for free (Sam exceeds this quite considerably), but the activities are restricted by age – several being for 7 and over. How fair is that?


Regardless, we spent a couple of hours there having a go at most things, including the Mini Foret jungle gym up at the top of the brand new Planards chairlift. Sam went home happy having had a bike ride and a couple of hours at the park.

I got ticked off by the guard on the train for bring the kids bikes on. Only 5 bikes on any train and we’re a family of 4. That doesn’t leave much room to rely on the service – and a great service it is too. At least with the car, the worst case scenario is that having biked down the valley I get the train back while the others grab an ice cream and wait while I drive down to collect them. But that kind of defeats the purpose doesn’t it?! At least, now that I've paid my taxes and got my residence cards sorted, the train is free.

Leaving Montroc

On the Aiguille Rouge National Park Nature Trail

With a promise of drier weather following in behind the overnight rain we decided to get out for a proper walk today. Of the many options available, and with still the odd shower about, plenty of low cloud and a chilly wind, a valley walk over to Vallorcine seemed the best option.

Someone got a new camera for Christmas!

Hameau Les Montets

Having timed our sandwich making just right, we jumped on the train up to Montroc and then picked up the path over to the Col des Montets and the Chemin des Diligences. I had thought that this might be a fairly dull walk, following the road through familiar territory. However, I have to say that it was really good, being just the right distance for Sam & Jodie, and with plenty to look at and take in along the way. Thoroughly recommended for an easy low level walk into the quieter reaches of the Chamonix valley.