As summer comes to an end, it feels like the perfect time to look back on the season we’ve had in Morzine before turning our attention to winter. From long days spent hiking and biking in the mountains to lazy afternoons by the lake, sunset drives, long French lunches and evenings on terraces, this summer has been a beautiful reminder of just how special life in Morzine can be.
My Morzine Summer at a Glance
If I had to sum up my summer favourites, these would be my picks:
- Favourite hike: Morzinette
- Best sunset: Joux Plane
- Best place to cool off: Lac de Montriond
- Favourite lunch: Beignets de pommes de terre & charcuterie
- Best apéro: The terrace at La Hutte
- Best pizza: L’Improviste
But there’s so much more to summer here. A typical day in Morzine can take you from a mountain trail to the lake, from a three-hour lunch to an evening apéro, and somehow still leave time to watch the sunset.
Summer in the Mountains
We’ve had a particularly beautiful summer here in Morzine, with very few rainy days and plenty of opportunities to get outside. Hiking has been a huge part of my summer, and some of my favourite routes have included La Pointe de Nyon, Nantaux, La Cascade des Brochaux and, of course, Morzinette.
Mountain biking has been just as busy, with riders making the most of the trails on both sides of Morzine. One of the biggest highlights of my summer was undoubtedly the UCI World Cup in Les Gets. The atmosphere was incredible, particularly after a French win!
And that’s one of the things I love most about summer here: you can spend the morning in the mountains, get caught up in the excitement of a big event in the afternoon, and then finish the day somewhere peaceful by the water.
Lac de Montriond: The Perfect Escape
For me, Lac de Montriond is the place to be in summer. When it gets too hot for another hike, this is where you’ll find me. You can swim in the cool water, bring your own paddleboard or rent one at the lake, and then settle down with an iced coffee or a fresh cocktail at L’Hôtel du Lac.
It’s also one of those places where you can easily spend an entire day without really planning anything. Read your book by the water, run around the lake, go paddleboarding, have a swim, stop for a drink and simply enjoy the slower pace of summer.
📍 Daisy’s tips
- Best for: Cooling down and relaxing after a hot day
- Best time to go: Earlier in the day if you want a quieter spot by the water
- My tip: Stay until late afternoon and have a drink at L’Hôtel du Lac before heading back to Morzine
- Why I love it: You can do as much or as little as you like, making it the perfect place for a relaxed summer day
Of course, not every summer day needs to end at the lake. Sometimes the best way to finish a day in the mountains is to drive a little higher.
Chasing Sunsets at Joux Plane
Joux Plane is one of my favourite places to head just before sunset. The drive up is beautiful in itself, but once you reach the top, the whole landscape seems to change. In my opinion, it’s the best sunset in town. After a busy summer day, there’s something incredibly peaceful about sitting at the top, watching the sun disappear over the mountains before making your way back down to Morzine.
Joux Plane at sunset, one of my favourite drives after a summer day in Morzine.
The Joy of Slow Summer Days in Morzine
As much as I love getting out into the mountains, one of my favourite things about summer in Morzine is that you don’t always have to be doing something. Taking a few days off from activities is a must for me. Some of the best days are simply spent wandering around town, doing a little shopping, stopping for coffee and enjoying the atmosphere.
There’s always a lovely buzz around Morzine, particularly when an event is taking place. Whether it’s Harley Days, Spartan or the Tour de France, the village feels full of energy. I also love the smaller local events that celebrate the traditions, culture and history of the Morzinois. With the longer evenings and vibrant atmosphere, summer really does feel like the village is at its liveliest.
A typical day might start with brunch at Satellite Café or Solide, followed by a wander around town and, definitely, a little shopping. From there, I would head out for a small hike or walk to the Cascade de Nyon and stop here for one of my favourite local lunches: beignets de pommes de terre and charcuterie. Of course, lunch is done the French way, so there’s no need to rush. It might stretch until three or four in the afternoon, with plenty of time for coffee, homemade dessert, a digestif and a couple of drinks.
For me, summer evenings in Morzine are all about apéro and dinner outside. La Marmotte d’Or and La Hutte are two of my favourite spots for this, with lovely terraces and delicious food. Morzine’s pizza scene is also a game changer, and in my opinion, the best comes from L’Improviste. Morzine also has a great selection of bars and nightclubs to keep the evening going.
Exploring Beyond Morzine
Morzine is incredible in itself, and there is so much to do that I can guarantee you’ll never be bored here. However, if you want to discover more of the region and see what Haute-Savoie has to offer, there are plenty of amazing day trips to choose from.
One of my favourite day trips this year was Annecy. It’s hard to beat a summer day there: ice cream by the lake, pedalos on the water and, if you’re feeling energetic, cycling around the entire lake. The route takes around three hours on average and is mostly flat, with beautiful views throughout.
I also loved spending time around Chamonix, Argentière and Emosson this summer. Chamonix is always a fantastic day trip, with plenty to explore around town, but this year we decided to do something a little different. Instead of simply visiting for the day, we hiked and stayed at a refuge on the Swiss border, around 30 minutes from Chamonix in the Vallée du Trient. The hiking and views were exceptional, and there was something really special about discovering the neighbouring valleys and experiencing a completely different side of the region.
Another favourite is Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, which is home to some fantastic hiking routes. One of the most popular is Le Bout du Monde, which takes around three hours and offers incredible scenery along the way.
Until Next Summer…
Looking back, it’s been another incredible summer in and around Morzine. From mountain adventures and swims in the lake to long lunches, sunset drives and evenings on terraces, summer really is such a special time to be here.
Now, as the leaves begin to change and the days get shorter, it’s time to start looking ahead to winter. But for now, I’m happy to enjoy the last few weeks and reflect on another beautiful summer in the mountains.
