People who haven’t been to Morzine in summer often imagine it as the quiet “off-season” — a nice place for walks, maybe a lake or two, nothing too intense. And then they actually show up in June or July and realize the whole village is humming in a completely different way. Not loud. Not crowded. Just… busy with energy. The kind that comes from people who want to be outside all day because the weather and the mountains practically demand it.
If winter in Morzine is about speed and snow and that crisp boot-on-snow crunch, summer is about movement too — but in a more open, sunlit, green way. It’s honestly just as exciting, sometimes even more, because the mountains give you new ways to explore them that don’t involve layers of clothing or frozen fingertips.
Here’s what summer in Morzine really looks like from the inside — not the brochure version, but the version people fall in love with after their first warm-weather visit.
Mountain Biking Scene Brought Back to Life in the Slopes
When the snow melts away and the hills are all cleared off, instead of skiers coming down the hill in zig-zagging fashion, all sorts of different mountain bike riders abound! The enthusiasm is the same for riding down as it was for skiing up until just recently. Summer ski lifts serve the same purpose to mountain biking as ski lifts do for transporting skiing equipment during the winter months – they allow you to travel up the hill with your mountain bike using the same mode of transportation.
Once you make it a short distance away (within a couple of feet), you will immediately experience an instant thrill as you hear all the sounds associated with mountain biking, such as the tires whirring on the dirt, the mechanical gear changing of your bicycle, and the excited screams coming from friends as they complete sharp turns.
Enjoying the exhilaration of cycling down a steep Drop-Off Style Race at Morzine’s ski facilities, even if you’re not a hardcore cyclist, is a fun experience. Beginners will enjoy the gentle nature of Morzine’s sloped tracks, as well as being treated to the same type of adrenaline rush usually found by experienced Skiers. Locals can relate to what we mean when we state that riding a bike feels as great as it does going downhill on skis, though doing it while wearing only shorts and t-shirts, and not skiwear.
Hiking That Feels Nothing Like Ordinary Hiking
Although “hiking is one of the most popular activities in the Alps”, Morzine’s hiking experience differs from typical tourist routes and offers the opportunity to explore some of the normal local attractions without the chance of doing so as part of an organized tour group. The views you experience hiking through Morzine run the gamut, from seeing small, rural homes, hearing cow bells from livestock (yes, actual, physical, live cows!) crossing tiny wooden pedestrian bridges to catch a panoramic view of what may look like a painting from an artist’s perspective.
Some routes are steep, some gentle. Some feel like a long walk. Others feel like an accomplishment.
But the best thing? Even the easy trails here give you views that look like you climbed a mountain.
You smell pine. You hear water rushing somewhere nearby even before you see it. And if the sky’s clear, the whole horizon opens up in a way that makes you want to just stand there for a minute and do absolutely nothing.
Lac de Montriond — Where Time Slows Down
Every village has its “place you have to see,” and in summer, Lac de Montriond is that place for Morzine. But here’s the real secret: the lake isn’t only for pretty photos. It’s for spending whole afternoons doing absolutely nothing or everything — whatever you’re in the mood for.
Some people kayak. Some paddleboard. Some sit in the grass and doze off. Kids splash near the edges. Getting into the freezing water of the lake might be a shocking experience at first but the sensation of how good it feels will not hit you until after you have been accustomed to it for awhile and started to appreciate the great feeling.
In addition to that, if one were to go to the less-populated areas of the lake (away from the restaurants, stores, and things that make noise) and appreciate the serene views, you also should have plenty of time to meet some locals who also enjoy that solitude.
Flying Over Morzine — Yes, Literally
Paragliding sounds like something wild until you actually do it. Then it feels almost peaceful. When you are running, as you are taking the steps to go downhill, you immediately notice that the ground falls away, and the village of Morzine is now something very small and quiet, sitting down in a valley.
You can see all the way to the end of the world, where the rooftops, trees, and river are becoming part of a larger view — a larger open area that still looks unreal.
It is also cooler than it is on the ground.
The noise fades.
The mountains look bigger, but softer.
You don’t need courage as much as curiosity. Pilots handle everything At this moment, there’s no better place than gazing down on something beautiful while floating high above it. Now that you are ready to experience that type of environment, you should check running out.
Trail Running for Non-Runners
If you live in or are planning on visiting Morzine to run but feel the crowded urban environment is not for you, the Morzine trail network provides a great alternative. With soft dirt, shady forested areas, and sunlight streaming through the trees below; trail running is much less of a “task” and much more of a “guided tour” through a stunningly beautiful land.
Even if you run short distances, you still breath fresh air every time you stop and look at all the beautiful things around you each time you run. And early mornings? That’s when the mountains feel like they belong only to you.
The Village Itself Comes Alive in Summer
The only season of the year that does not offer numerous opportunities to explore your surroundings is winter; however, once the summer months kick-off in Morzine, it’s a vibrant community full of people enjoying the beautiful sun while sipping their favorite drinks out on the patio, taking part in some wonderful conversation, and getting to discover all the great places to walk around the village.
Many different events pop up all through summer that provide great ways to interact with the community: open air markets to buy and sell items made locally, concerts featuring local musicians at various venues, etc. You don’t need a plan here. You wander. Everything you see will feel like it has always been a part of your life.
Final Thoughts
Morzine as a winter destination is thrilling, but Morzine as a summer destination brings an entirely new level of excitement. The mountains open up in new ways. The lake becomes a place to escape. The slopes transform into biking routes. The summer sky seems to be somewhere you could float through if you are the adventurous type.
The one thing about Morzine is that if you have only seen the area covered with snow, you’ve only seen part of the area’s personality. The summer version of Morzine is full of vibrant colours and experiences that stay with you forever after you leave.