Walks to do with young children
Even with small children, you can make the most of the enchanting mountain landscape and head for the heights! Whether you set out with an all-terrain pushchair, a baby-carrier or young walkers on foot, this selection of easy routes offers a simple way to take your little explorers to appreciate the valley's most picturesque scenery.
😄❤️ From Les Menuires
Plan de l'Eau
This very easy loop trail follows a wide, flat path along the Doron stream, a lovely natural setting of water and greenery. It is suitable for all-terrain pushchairs and baby-carriers. Public toilets with changing facilities are available next to the restaurant, Le Setor. It can be reached from the Plan de l'Eau car park or on the free buses (stop A19 "Plan d'Eau"). Allow about 30 minutes. Less than 1 km.
Sentier Bernadette
A lovely there-and-back mountain walk on a wide mountainside path, offering beautiful views over the resort and the valley. This trail starts at the Brelin car park and is suitable for all-terrain pushchairs and baby-carriers. It also features seats and picnic tables. Allow about 1½ hours there and back, total 5 km. Elevation gain 80 metres.
Lac du Lou
Accessible with baby-carriers only (no pushchairs), this slightly challenging walk is a must-do and takes you to the beautiful natural setting of Lake Lou. There, you can enjoy lunch or a snack at the refuge and you'll also find toilets. It can be reached via the Plan de l'Eau trail on a there-and-back walk or as part of a loop. Allow about 2 hours for the outward climb. Elevation gain 300 metres. The there-and-back walk is 7 kilometres.
😎☀️ From the valley villages
Boucle du Châtelard
This shaded loop trail overlooking the Doron stream passes close to the delightful villages of the valley and offers the chance to visit them as you go. From the Cochet car park (Saint-Martin-de-Belleville), head for the Saint Marcel dam, then turn right and continue to Les Desserts, formerly an inhabited hamlet. Follow the 4x4 track to Le Châtelard and turn right onto a very quiet road leading to Saint-Martin. The path on the right takes you back to the Cochet car park. Allow a total of about 1¼ hours. 5.2 km, elevation range 110 metres.
Boucle de Saint-Marcel
From the Cochet car park (Saint-Martin-de-Belleville), this loop trail crosses the charmingly authentic village of Saint-Marcel and passes close to Notre-Dame-de-La-Vie, a true Baroque gem. Head for the Saint Marcel dam, then turn left and continue to the islands. Turn left again towards Saint Marcel village centre, go past the little church and continue straight on to the village play area. Go left and reach Notre-Dame-de-La-Vie chapel, open daily from 10am to 6pm. Behind the chapel, join the path leading back to the Cochet car park. This route can be followed with an all-terrain pushchair or a baby-carrier. Allow about 1½ hours. Elevation range 87 metres.
Châtelard - Gittamelon
From the Châtelard hamlet, this loop trail, which can be taken with an all-terrain pushchair or a baby-carrier, takes you via a quiet road to the Gittamelon "montagnette" cabins nestling in the heart of an unspoilt valley. Allow 3 hours there and back. Elevation range 322 metres.
Les demoiselles coiffées (hoodoos)
This shaded loop trail from Villarenger follows the Doron stream, which it overlooks. To reach it, cross the bridge, turn right onto the path leading to the Pont Beraud, cross the bridge and walk back on the other side. Baby-carriers only (no pushchairs). About 1½ hours, 3.5 km. Elevation range 165 metres.
Approaching the summits via the lifts.
Remember to check the summer lift opening times.
Lac des Allamands
Accessible at the top of the Roc 1 gondola lift from La Croisette, this slightly uphill path takes you to a lake, the Lac des Allamands. The descent can be made by gondola lift or on foot (approx. 1½ hours). Baby-carriers only (no pushchairs). Allow about 20 minutes for the outward trip.
Le Boulevard des Giraud
From the top of the Roc 1 gondola, after the Friendly Menuires terrace where you can stop for a picnic, take the footpath, passable with an off-road pushchair or a baby- carrier, to enjoy the views of the upper valley.
Descent to Saint-Martin
From the Saint-Martin 1 gondola lift which you can reach from the village of Saint- Martin, sit back and enjoy the panoramic view on the way up, then walk with a baby- carrier back down to your starting point. Allow about 2 hours. Elevation drop 1000 metres.