Be Adventurous in the Alps This Summer - 11 Things to Do With Your Family

Are you looking for family-friendly adventures and outdoor activities the Alps offer it all. This stunningly beautiful mountain range spanning France, Switzerland, Austria, and Italy offers a variety of experiences for all ages in EVERY SEASON.

From white water rafting in Switzerland to quad biking in the French Alps, there is no shortage of unforgettable memories to be made this summer by adventuring into the majestic Alps. Here are 10 unique experiences to make your family’s trip to the Alps an unforgettable one this summer.

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How Are the Alps in the summer?

The Alps in the summer months are warm and sunny, perfect for those wanting to explore on foot or by bike. Average July temperatures range between 59 and 75°F (15-24°C). But the weather in the Swiss Alps in summer tends to be warmer and can reach 76-84°F (25-28°C) during the day.

Summer visitors to the Alps find stunning alpine meadows filled with wildflowers to crystal-clear lakes surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Families can experience nature’s beauty during all summer months throughout the region.

Things to Do in the Alps This Summer

The alps in the summer months can provide you with plenty of fun activities.

If you need additional help planning your itinerary, you can look for experts that can help you with the summer holidays in the Alps with your loved ones and friends.

Walking and Hiking

If you are looking for some adventure with your loved ones and friends you can look for some hiking and walking tours. This is a great way to get outdoors and explore the nature around you which is harder to do during the cold winter months.

With plenty of mountains, the Alps can provide you with the best hiking and walking adventures that you can take on with your loved ones. You can choose from various difficulty levels and routes that you want to cover to ensure that you don’t stress yourself physically.

With longer days and minuscule chances of rain and no snow on the trails, warm temperatures, and lush meadows, the Alps can become a great location for hikers and walkers during the summer months. If you are visiting during the summer in the Swiss Alps, you can go for a hike on the Matterhorn Glacier Trail.

If you’ll be in the Austrian Alps in summer, you can opt for The Eagle Walk, a challenging 9.6-mile hike on the Eagle’s Nest mountain from Berchtesgaden. If you want to experience hiking when snow is still present, then April and May are great months for you to be amongst the Alps.

The Tour Du Mont Blanc which covers France, Switzerland, and Italy, is recommended for experienced hikers as they can take up to two weeks to finish the entire route.

If you’re looking for an easier hike that showcases the beauty of the Alps, then the Parc Animalier de Merlet à Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is suitable for families. It starts at the Merlet Animal Park for a 4.5-mile point-to-point trail. Its high altitude provides panoramic, breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and some of the area’s highest peaks.

AllTrails is a free mobile app and website with detailed, hand-curated trail maps, along with crowd-sourced reviews and photos. With 300,000+ trails, users can filter to find the route that’s right for them.

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White Water Rafting

Water sports are a great way to beat the summer heat. Alps can provide you with plenty of locations that are ideal for those who want to try some white water rafting adventures. When the spring snow begins to melt, many rivers come into their own and that is the perfect time for you to try some white water rafting.

If you are in Switzerland, you can find some great options in Vorderrhein where you can learn how to raft the right way. Other areas to focus on include the Ubaye river in France, the two rivers of Austria Salzach, and Otztaler Ache can also provide you with some opportunities to get into these clear river waters and navigate through the rapids and try your teamwork skills.

Mountain Biking

If you don’t like getting yourself wet you can also hop on a mountain bike and head into the mountains and try those winding routes and roads in the Alps.

The French Alps in particular have gained a great reputation with mountain bikers. You can look for mountain bike trails in the Portes du Soleil area and even the Champsaur Valley in the Ecrins National Park. Here you can find local guides that can help you with tips for mountain biking beginners.

For extreme sports lovers, Chamonix Valley has always been a great destination to try new mountain biking trails and skills. However, apart from France, you can head for biking trails in Crans-Montana and Zermatt in Switzerland, and Sauze D’Oulx in Italy.

Rock Climbing

It is hard not to think of a climbing activity where some of the best mountains in the world surround you. While winter can be a harsh season for beginner rock climbers, summer months can provide you with plenty of opportunities to learn rock climbing and even try new locations.

Experts climbers can take on challenging locations like Mont Blanc, but if you are new you would want to look for many other locations like Domes de Miage. Safety is paramount and you will find plenty of rock climbing locations where you can find guides and instructors to help you develop rock climbing skills.

You can look for options like Breithorn straddling Italy and Switzerland which offers plenty of challenges to a beginner climber.

Golfing

If you are not an adventurous person you can look for some relaxed sports, like golf, that can provide you with the best holiday experiences during the summertime. Golfing is one of the best summer alpine things to do. When you are taking a break from your routine you can enjoy the health benefits of golf and enjoy the natural landscape and greenery around you.

If you are in Switzerland you can look for some of the popular golf clubs like the Matterhorn Golf Club in Zermatt and the Gstaad-Saanenland Golf Club in Gstaad.

You can also find some excellent golf clubs in Austria like Golf Club Schwarzee and Robert Trent Jones Sr course at the Golf Club de Chamonix.

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Flyfishing

Flyfishing in the Alps is a great way to just lazily spend your day surrounded by gorgeous mountains, alpine lakes, and rivers. If you are in the French Alps you can go trout fishing and try your hands at that.

Even if you are not a fishing expert you can learn how to become one as you can find instructors that can guide you with various flyfishing skills.

If you are in the Swiss Alps you can head to the Upper Engadin Valley (Graubünden) which can provide you with the right flyfishing experience that you want during these summer months.

Looking for things to do in Switzerland? See these 5 Best Places to Visit in Switzerland with Kids for an Adventure

Quad Biking or ATVing

In the states, we know it as ATVing or 4-wheeling, but in Europe, it’s called quad biking. Either way, heading out with your family and loved ones for some off-road activities allows you to get quite the adrenaline rush.

Quad biking, especially in the French Alps, can provide you with the best summer holiday experiences outdoors. However, you can also find some ATV trail options in Switzerland and Italy.

Quad biking/ATVing allows you to travel into some off-road territory and explore the geography while having fun. You’ll find more guided tours over hourly/day rentals for ATVs, but a guided tour is a great way to see the region and learn a bit about where you are.

Kayaking

Kayaking through the French Alps is a great way to explore and experience the region. There are many river options that you can choose from, with some being more suited for experienced kayakers and others being more novice-friendly.

Guided tours are available so that you know where it is safe to go, or if you prefer to be alone, you can rent kayaks and enjoy the day for yourself.

Some of the best locations for kayaking and other water activities with your family include the rivers and lakes of the French Alps. There are also more secluded areas that you can find if you are comfortable with navigating your way through them, such as mountain streams or remote lakes in the area.

For lake kayaking, Serre Poncon Lake and The Lac du Sautet are two popular spots. There is plenty of space to explore, as well as a wide variety of wildlife that you may encounter.

For river kayaking, the Durance and Guisane Rivers provide great opportunities for novice-level kayakers with still waters and class II rapids.

Maggiore, Italy is home to the second largest lake it Italy, Lake Maggiore. This lake is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as swimming, kayaking, windsurfing, and boating. There are also several attractions near the lake they are world famous for. The Borromean Islands and a favorite with families for its 17th-century palazzos and stunning gardens.

When is the best time to visit the Alps?

The Alps are one of the most popular destinations in Europe and they offer a great opportunity to enjoy the lush green scenery, explore the Alpine villages, and take part in fantastic activities. The best times to visit the Alps can vary depending on what you’re looking for from your trip.

Generally, summer (June-August) is considered the peak season for the Alps, so you can expect great weather and plenty of activities available.

Winter (December-February) is also a great time to visit area ski resorts as they offer some amazing skiing opportunities. Spring and Fall are also good times to visit as you’ll enjoy mild temperatures and fewer tourists compared to summer.

In conclusion, the Alps can offer a great range of activities for you to enjoy during any season, and with its breathtaking scenery, it’s easy to understand why so many people flock here every year. It doesn’t matter is you are looking to spend your vacation this summer in the French Alps, Switzerland, or Italy, you’ll have an unforgettable holiday experience. Happy exploring!

For more international family-friendly destinations, also see:

Ready to Start Planning Your Trip? Use These Helpful Links to Book Your Trip!

AIRFARE
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LODGING
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PACKING
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TRAVEL PLANNING
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ATTRACTIONS/ACTIVITIES
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- Find guided outdoor activities led by local guides at 57Hours.
- Find information on local trails with the AllTrails App.
LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE
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Need something else to plan your perfect trip? Visit my travel resources page for more trusted partners.

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Be Adventurous in the Alps This Summer – 11 Things to Do With Your Family

How Are the Alps in the summer?