Hiking
The La Chapelle region lures many hikers for beautiful trips in the Portes du Soleil. It is a landscape full of waterfalls, creeks and remarkable flora and fauna. During your hike, there’s a good chance that you will come across marmot, ibexes and many raptor species. Take a look around and you’ll see Lake Geneva, turn around again and Mont Blanc towers high above all the other mountains.
More than 800 kilometers of marked hiking paths are laid out for you, varying from long and difficult to short and easy. There are also special theme hikes. In Les Portes du Soleil, a large number of lifts are also open in the summer. These lifts will take you directly to high altitudes. There is, therefore, something for everyone.
At the hotel, we organize guided hikes and we offer extensive hiking information.
Hiking information
Hiking maps and books about this region are available in the Office de Tourisme in the center of La Chapelle d’Abondance and in Châtel. In our hotel library, you will find various hiking books, as well as a guide for alpine flora and fauna. Because we ourselves know the area so well, we are happy to advise you of the possibilities.
Balades et randonnées and Vallée d’Abondance
The tourist office has a folder with 34 hiking maps sized 22×16 cm – the perfect size for in your backpack! Each map contains practical and useful background information. An overview map of the Vallée d’Abondance is also included. The various hiking routes are divided by degree of difficulty and length of the hike.
Themed hikes
Numerous themed hikes are laid out. You will not only enjoy beautiful flora, fauna and vistas, but you will also learn about the area that surrounds you. For example, there is a special herb hike, a water hike, a smugglers route and a route that takes you past churches and chapels.
Guided hikes
Three times a week, we offer a guided hike. Alke or Marieke will take you to the most beautiful places in the area with spectacular views. We stop at farms and mountain restaurants to enjoy delicious food and we go in search of the ibexes.
We can also hire a hiking or mountain guide for you, who can show you the special places in the mountains.
GR 5 & Tour des PDS
La Chapelle d’Abondance is located on the Grande Randonnée 5 (GR5), which makes the Hotel Esprit Montagne an excellent place to stay for hikers of the Grand Randonnée 5. But you can also take a Tour des Portes du Soleil.