If La Plagne is a delight for winter sports enthusiasts, it is also an ideal place for those who dream of taking a breath of fresh air in the summer. As a reminder, La Plagne is made up of 11 villages with their own identity, all united in a single resort. If La Plagne makes it easy to wander from one village to another, it also offers many possibilities for summer activities. You can expect to have an active holiday, walking, cycling, paddling, cliff climbing or even rafting on rough waters. There are also those moments when you slow down and simply observe the beauty of the immensity of nature, fauna, flora and heritage. Moments of play, well-being and relaxation, everything is there to make you spend a maximum of good time. As you can see, La Plagne has all the ingredients for a summer holiday that will leave its mark.
1- Mountain biking
Mountain biking takes on a whole new dimension in the mountains and it is worth noting that it was in La Plagne that the first mountain bikes were introduced in the 1980s. So, naturally, mountain bike enthusiasts will not fail to ride theirs to take advantage of the many itineraries that cross the mountain landscapes and offer superb colourful panoramas. The trails are signposted and there are several levels to suit everyone's tastes. In La Plagne, it is also possible to descend the "Dré Val", a beautiful adventure starting from Plagne Bellecôte at an altitude of 1,923 m and heading towards the Versants d'Aime leisure centre in the valley. To vary the pleasures, you can also plan a few rides on an electrically assisted mountain bike, for greater ease, as well as spending some time at the Bike Park Colorado, which has a multitude of easy and fun trails dedicated to families.
2- Discover the heritage
What if walking in the mountains was also an opportunity to take an interest in the heritage present in the heart of this striking nature? You can start by discovering typical mountain architecture by visiting the villages of Montméry and Valezan. Here you will find houses with architecture adapted to the climate and the mountain slopes, as well as beautiful chapels such as that of Saint-Etienne. Other chapels seem to be lost in the middle of nowhere, such as the chapels of Saint-Jacques, Saint-Guérin and La Glière. Joining them is like conquering an ancient heritage while enjoying splendid views of the mountain pastures.
3- Hiking
If there is one place in the Alps that is ideal for hiking full of surprises, it is La Plagne! In summer, it's an opportunity to see the mountains in a different light, between rocky cliffs and flowery, green valleys. There are dozens and dozens of marked trails in La Plagne. The hikes are free but can also be supervised by a guide, to learn more about the specificities of this exceptional environment. The Apple trail in Plagne Vallée, the Gorzderés walk in Champigny-en-Vanoise or the Roche de Mio loop in Belle Plagne: there are countless itineraries allowing you to go deep into forests with century-old trees, to walk along the banks of a stream, always dominated by the mountains and their eternally snowy peaks.
4- Take part in a white water sports session
La Plagne is lucky enough to have the Isère river flowing through its territory, which originates in the Alps and flows into the Rhône. In the Haute-Tarentaise area, white water activities offer those who want to get a good dose of adrenaline from the water. With flippers and a float in hydrospeed, on board a kayak or an inflatable boat for rafting, there are many ways to enjoy the movements of the river, while marvelling at the landscapes on offer, particularly those surrounding the Aime rapids and the Centron gorges.
5- Discover the via ferrata
The via ferrata is an intermediate practice between hiking and climbing. This perfectly safe sport allows you to climb rock faces over several hundred metres, and here too the panoramas offered are breathtakingly beautiful. The via ferrata is a practice open to different types of public and remains an excellent way to test one's ability to concentrate, one's sensitivity to vertigo, all in an atmosphere that remains family and friendly. This mountain sport is highly appreciated by groups who like to challenge themselves! The cliff of Bourtes is a recommended place to enjoy it fully.
6- Lounging by a mountain lake
Another easy activity to do in La Plagne is a hike to a peaceful mountain lake. From La Plagne 1800, it doesn't take long to reach the beautiful Lac Vert. The place is peaceful and a perfect spot to enjoy an invigorating picnic. It's easy to get there in summer with the kids, and there's also a nice view of the village below and the surrounding nature. Another alternative is to go to the Pierres Blanches lake in Montchavin-les-Coches. Its waters are translucent and the path around it allows you to enjoy superb panoramas on the surrounding summits.
7- Spend a night in a refuge
Spending a night in a refuge means closing your eyes in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by the mountain and its night sounds. There are many of them in the Alps and around La Plagne, and it's just a phone call to the keeper to book. During the day, you take a map and follow the itinerary with the aim of reaching the place that welcomes you for a good night's sleep. The refuges are places where you can meet other hikers and once you have put your bags in the dormitory, you can also enjoy a short hike in the evening to see the sun set. Then, of course, we finish with a well-deserved meal with the flavours of the mountains. The Laitonna refuge and the Glière refuge are two such places that welcome hikers with open arms for a night away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
8- Spending time at a leisure centre
Notice to all those who wish to spend a day relaxing, playing or even doing water sports. The Centron or Versants d'Aime leisure centres are always very lively in summer. Once there, you can enjoy an enchanting setting for a moment with family or friends. The Centron leisure centre offers three theme trails (botanical, ecological, geological), and barbecues and other concerts liven up the evenings. At the Versants d'Aime, you can enjoy picnics in the large green spaces, swim to cool off, or try your hand at paddleboarding, kayaking or even tree climbing.
9- Enjoy the surf spots and summer activities
Just because the ground is not covered in snow does not mean that you cannot slide on the slopes of the valleys surrounding the various villages of La Plagne. For a treat, you can start with a Tubby session, which allows you to slide down a mini-slope on a large buoy. Children also love the Deval'Kart and the Mountain Kart, these non-motorised karting machines that allow you to hurtle down the slopes of Plagne-Montalbert and Plagne Centre. At another time, so that young and old can jump up to 8 metres high and do somersaults and pirouettes in all directions, head for Monchauvin-les-Coches for a good Accro Bungee session. Securely harnessed, you can put yourself in the shoes of a great gymnast and laughter is guaranteed.
10- Relax in a spa
Moving around in the middle of nature is great, but you also need to give yourself a few moments of rest and well-being. For this, you can count on the spas in La Plagne, which are set in the heart of a dream setting. At the Bains & Spa La Plagne in Belle Plagne, you can not only enjoy the bubbles of the whirlpool baths, but also benefit from a sublime view of the mountains. Nordic baths, saunas, swimming pool, hammam, salt grotto and other sunbeds complete the offer. Those who wish can also request a massage, a body or facial treatment, making a holiday in the mountains a time for self-care
