We all know there are numerous summer activities to enjoy in Samoens, enough to keep even the most motivated of groups happy for years! But what can you do for free? We've put our heads together and come up with a long list that surprised even us!
Enjoy a swim in beautiful Lac Bleu, Morillon with its free life guarded swimming area and sand beach, for free! Samoens lake is also open to swimmers. Or why not go for a paddle in the refreshing Giffre river whose rocky banks are perfect for scenic BBQs. For the more adventurous, how about hiking to a mountain lake, such as the Lac d'Anterne at over 2000m altitude, followed by a cooling swim in stunning surroundings.
We have a massive network of walking trails in the Haute Giffre valley with everything from gentle strolls around our historic villages, to riverside walks, to day long hikes and towering peaks! There really is something for everyone.
Morillon has a fantastic new pump track located next to Lac Bleu! It has already proved a massive hit with everyone from experienced bikers, to inquisitive families who are giving it a go for the first time. It's free to use, but you will need your own bike, or scooter. Lac Bleu also has a free beach volleyball court!
Explore the local area in the search for hidden treasures in the villages, forests and mountain sides of our valley. It's a great way to enjoy our wonderful natural environment with the addition of a little extra fun! You can find out more about geocaching in our article.
There are a huge variety of events organised around the villages of Samoens, Morillon and Sixt throughout the spring, summer and autumn. And the good news is the majority of them are free! From numerous music concerts, festivals and sporting events, to weekly activities organised by the local tourist offices such as cheese, wine and beer tasting, beach volleyball tournaments, pottery demonstrations and village treasure hunts.
The stunning lakes of Samoens are surrounded by free activities - a huge open grassy area, kids play park, basketball court, 5-a-side football pitch, table tennis, boules, several picnic benches, many walking trails, and of course, some of the best views of the Criou mountain!
You'll need to bring your own bike to keep this one free! But if you are a keen cyclist of either the on-road or off-road variety, then we strongly suggest you do! We have a huge selection of famous road routes, riverside trails, and exhilarating mountain descents to enjoy! Take a look at our Road Biking and Mountain Biking pages for more information.
You'll need your need own equipment (and appropriate experience), but if you have these then the Via Ferrata located between Sixt and Samoens is free to use! It's fantastic fun and you get some amazing views over the valley. Equipment and guides can also be rented for those who require it.
It may not be strictly free, but if you travel in your own car why spend a day exploring another area of the outstanding Haute Savoie area. A drive of around an hour will take you to the likes of Annecy, Geneva, Evian, or Yvoire which all offer something slightly different to Samoens and are well worth a visit.
So, there you have it, an alpine summer holiday really is such amazing value for money! And if you can think of any others we've missed, let us know on Facebook and we'll add them to our list!
