What to Do in Summer at Val Thorens ? A Typical Week of Hiking and Wellness

After your drive, you’ll settle in at Val Thorens, at an altitude of 2,300 meters, at the entrance to the resort, in your apartment at the Hameau du Kashmir. The decor is inspired by the Himalayas, featuring warm tones that invite you to slow down as soon as you arrive. Once you’ve settled in, the first evening ends early: tomorrow’s hike requires you to be well-rested. 

Head to the Val Thorens tourist office to pick up the day’s roadbook. Val Thorens is part of the Belleville Valley, alongside Les Menuires and Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, and this roadbook takes you on a tour of 11 notable sites in the valley, showcasing both its natural heritage and local history. At each stop, there’s a letter to jot down in your notebook: once you’ve collected all the letters, a mystery word is revealed, with prizes up for grabs. It’s a simple way to explore the valley with family or friends, without having to plan a complicated itinerary.

At 9 a.m., head to the Bruyères lake in Les Menuires, where the local tourist office offers a 1.5-hour orienteering course: armed with your map, you’ll set out to find the markers hidden around the lake, with a reward waiting for you at the end of the day. 

The afternoon continues on to Lac du Lou, one of the most popular spots in the Belleville Valley. The trail remains easy to navigate, and it’s not uncommon to spot marmots along the way. Once you reach the top, the turquoise waters come into view below—the perfect spot to have lunch at the mountain hut or enjoy a picnic by the water. For the more adventurous, the Pierre Blanche lakes, a little higher up, offer an even wilder setting. 

Meet at 8:30 a.m. with a guide from the Belleville Guide Office: every stay booked with Montagnettes includes 3 complimentary half-day hikes (or one full day and one half-day), as well as an introductory yoga session. 

The Encombres Valley, less crowded than the resort’s main trails, is ideal for observing mountain flora and fauna—ibex, marmots, and edelweiss—with scenic views that open up as you climb. Along the way, the guide shares some insights into the valley’s history and ecology. 

After three very busy days, it’s time to unwind. The morning is set aside for relaxation: the pool, sauna, and Finnish bath, followed by a personalized treatment provided by the resort’s esthetician.

The afternoon passes peacefully as we stroll through the narrow streets of Val Thorens —the perfect setting for discovering some local treats. At the end of the day, everyone gathers in the comfort of the apartment to share a delicious meal and some precious moments together.

You can't go on a mountain vacation without visiting an alpine farm. Chez Pépé Nicolas, run by the great-grandchildren of Nicolas Jay, offers a 1.5-hour guided tour of the chalet starting at 10:30 a.m. 

At lunchtime, you can enjoy dishes made with locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients. In the afternoon, you can observe life on the farm—including pigs, rabbits, and chickens—and watch the goats being milked by hand, usually around 2:30–3:00 p.m. 

Back at the Hameau du Kashmir at 5 p.m., Axelle leads a yoga class on the terrace overlooking Cime Carron—a great way to gently wind down the day. 

We spend the morning at Montagne Aventure, a 15-minute walk from the resort, on the shores of Lac des Grenouilles: footbridges, rope bridges, Tibetan bridges, zip lines, and via ferrata trails follow one after another, depending on the route chosen. 

In the afternoon, the final half-day hike offered by Montagnettes provides a chance to wrap up the trip with a hike to and observation of the glaciers—for those who want to make the most of their high-altitude experience right to the very end.