Open Group Walks
Join a guided walk with others every Summer in the Vallee d'Aulps, Morzine & Les Gets mountains.
You can book on individually or in small groups
Please wear suitable hiking shoes and bring water and a spare jacket
This is a great opportunity for meeting other like-minded people with the safety of hiking in a group
Some of the walks are run in conjunction with a partner, this is why the prices vary slightly. At the booking stage, you may be asked for only half of the price and asked to bring the rest in cash to pay the partner on the day.
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Remember that being in the mountains there will be ascent and descent and occasionally steep terrain!
The paths are good and we will always be there to assist you. Our Open Group Walks are no harder than T2 (see below)
We recommend using walking poles and have some you can borrow if you don't have your own.
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We always walk at the pace of the group and to this end reserve the right to shorten or lengthen a walk to accommodate the whole group.
From €34
See our timetable of local hikes exploring the area and see the beautiful views, wildlife and wild flowers.
These are medium difficulty walks sometimes on steep terrain. We always walk at the pace of the group & go to different places each time.
From €48pp
Explore more of the area and see the beautiful views, wildlife and wild flowers.
These are medium difficulty walks sometimes on steep terrain. We always walk at the pace of the group.
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Bring your own picnic!
€50pp
A walk to beautiful places where we stop and have an art lesson with amazing local artist Kimberly Francis
Art materials supplied, you are also welcome to bring your own.
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€50pp
Hiking with a yoga theme - a warm up, guided yoga session and end of hike stretch are interspersed with our hike and beautiful views.
Yoga led by the lovely Leslie Glen
No mats required.​​
For hiking difficulty information, please head to the Hiking Scale Page here
Pick up points:
We have 8 passenger seats in our minibus and can pick up from St. Jean d'Aulps, Montriond, Morzine and Les Gets - see booking form for details.
Alternatively, you are welcome to meet us at the starting point of each walk (please contact us so that we can send you a location). Please choose the appropriate ticket type when booking.
Summer FAQ's for Open Groups
What should I wear & bring?
- Drinking water: When you breathe out you lose water, exercise increases this. Loss of water leads
to headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. You must carry one to two litres of
water per half day, plus we recommend drinking a litre of water before starting.
- Rucksack:To carry your water bottle and spare clothes. It should be long enough to fit your
back, with a waist belt and a cushioned, supportive back section. It must not
chafe your shoulders, cause a stooped position or restrict movement. Don’t rely
on one rucksack between two people as everyone moves at different speeds.
- Walking boots, shoes or trail running shoes: the trails will be uneven, with stony and rocky sections as well as slippery grass.
You need to protect your toes (so no sandals), and your ankle (supportive and sturdy footwear). Good soles with deep traction patterns are required. Finally, they need to NOT MOVE on your foot, otherwise you will get blisters.
- Walking socks: Avoid cotton –it absorbs sweat and can start to stick to the skin which, with movement, can cause blisters. It’s worth carrying spare socks.
- Sweat compatible clothes: If it is sunny and hot you will sweat. If your clothes trap this sweat you will
become really uncomfortable. Cotton is particularly bad for this.
- Sun resistant clothes, wide brimmed hat / cap and sunglasses: Covering up with baggy trousers and long sleeve tops and hats is better than being sunburnt wearing vest tops and tight shorts (with the attendant chafing!). Clothes with some man-made fibre component have added stretchiness and won’t absorb sweat. Sunglasses minimum Category 3, preferably Category 4.
- Wind / cold resistant clothes including hats and gloves: The temperature decreases by 1°C per 100m of ascent and wind chill makes it feel colder. You need adequate wind-proof clothing plus an insulating layer to help you maintain your body temperature if we slow or stop exercise (e.g. at lunch). Hats and gloves are light and make a huge difference to comfort.
- Factor 50 sun cream: The higher the factor the less you will burn, but it certainly won’t last all day so a small top up bottle is useful. Sunburn is no fun.
- Insect repellent: Some people just get bitten more – if that’s you then carry some.
- Personal first aid kit and medication: Personal medication, such as pills, asthma inhalers, epipens are vital – please
have the necessary medication (e.g. asthma inhalers are full and in date). A personal first aid kit to deal with any small cuts and scratches by cleaning and covering wounds is useful. Your leader carries a first aid kit suitable for the day.
- Wild weeing kit - tissues, hand sanitizer & a small bag to put paper waste in.
- Picnic lunch (depending on the time of your walk) and snacks You need to fuel the machine! Eating a little and often is better than waiting for one huge sandwich. Bags of snacks in the pocket are more accessible than a baguette in the rucksack. People rarely complain about carrying too much food.
- Walking poles: Walking poles divide people – some are devoted to them (we are) some have tried them and don’t get on with them, some people dismiss them because they are ‘not old enough to need poles’. The simple truth is that poles used correctly
provide additional traction (helps with climbs and descents), stability (prevent ankle and knee injuries), and reduce load bearing impacts (knees again). We see them as human four wheel drive for walking in the mountains.
- Insurance: Legally in France we have to check that clients have adequate insurance to fund a rescue in the event of an immobilising injury, which may require a helicopter. You will be asked about this on your booking form.
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What do you provide?
An expert qualified leader fully registered and insured to work in France, we have a selection of walking poles if you don't have your own, For summer walks we ask you to meet us at the start point but if you don't have transport, we can arrange pick up from a central location - please email us if required. We also provide a hot drink (usually coffee or tea) and cake which is provided by Apeeling Cakes
What is the difference between an Open walk and a Private walk?
You pay for an open walk per person. It is ideal if there are just a couple of you as it makes it cheaper than a private walk. This is also the place to come to meet more people and socialise a little! Of course you don't know who will be in the groups and so we may go at a slower pace than you would like. On open walks the times and routes are pre-set. Not sure? Consider booking a bespoke private walk for your group!
Can I bring my dog(s)?
No. If you would like to bring your dog, please book a private guided walk. This way we can ensure that you and your group go on a hike suitable and safe for your dog and the local wildlife!
Will I be fit enough?
Yes! We are trained guides who find an easy middle pace. We have lots of mini breaks to look at the view or to learn about the area - we go at the slowest pace. We do reserve the right to shorten, lengthen or amend the walk depending on the speed of the group. Obviously we are in the mountains and so there will be some uphill with steep sections. None of our walks are above a T2 scale (see above)
Can I bring my small child?
Yes of course - small children that can be carried in a carry pack are welcome and they generally love being outside in nature - please do let us know. We ask that children younger than 11 years old do not come on the Open sessions as this will considerably slow down full paying adults. However, again, please do ask as it depends how many other bookings we have on the event.
Where do we go walk?
We choose safe but interesting areas. We reserve the right to change the location of the walk due to unforeseen factors, e.g. weather., but will always inform you ahead of time where possible.
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Can you pick me up from my accommodation?
On an open walk with other people on this we ask you to meet at a central location so that we can all get the maximum amount of time out walking.
What if the weather is bad?
If we judge the weather to be too bad we will contact you as soon as possible to arrange another day or a full refund.