La Clusaz sports a suitably evocative name – from the French “cluse”, for a path between the mountains. Sure enough, in the 1900s a road was laid through, transforming La Clusaz from a remote mountain village into a magnet for winter sports devotees. These days, it’s still a beloved ski region in winter and lauded for its hiking trails and Tour de France-approved cycling routes in summer. And yet La Clusaz has managed to hold on to its village charm, filled with alpine hotels, a church-topped square and meadow-swept valleys that on a clear day offer a peek of the mighty Mont Blanc massif.
Into the great outdoors
La Clusaz quietly delights in its dramatic locale. The village sits 1,000m up on the Col des Aravis – a mountain pass that has seen Tour de France cyclists fly by – and so welcomes those who love diving into the great outdoors. It’s not all for pro pedallers, either. All levels of walking and cycling paths unravel in the Aravis mountains surrounding La Clusaz, as well as paragliding, via ferrata and the luge d’ete summer toboggan.
The paths between the mountains
Walking holidays to La Clusaz reveal a range of walking and cycling paths, from family-friendly rambles to mountain treks and challenging via ferrata routes. Some footpaths start from the village, or you could catch the cable car to the Beauregard Plateau for forest and valley hikes set to the distant chime of cowbells. Keep your eyes peeled for luminous blue lakes, elusive mountain marmots and showstopping views of Mont Blanc.
Village life in La Clusaz
La Clusaz gathers around Sainte Foy Church (easily spotted by its rounded baroque bell tower) and square. Here, a market pops up every Monday morning, selling mountain specialities such as dry-cured Savoy ham, spruce-spiced sapinette liqueur, and heaps of homemade bread. Corbassieres dairy farm, accessed by the Patton Path, is the place for local produce – and for fondue with a view. There’s plenty to celebrate in summer too, with concerts in the church, folk and music festivals, and a whole day dedicated to honouring the local Reblochon cheese.
Village-hopping in the Aravis
La Clusaz isn’t the only charming village in the Aravis region. Riverside Grand-Bornand is another favourite of the Tour de France, while Manigod is all sleepy chalets and a sporty crowd, thanks to the running trails and outdoor pool. Walk or catch the bus to Les Confins – a mountain-ringed plateau lake with restaurants en route. Fancy a day trip? You have a few famous choices in reach, including setting out east to Chamonix and Mont Blanc or west to Annecy, one of the prettiest cities in the Alps.
Why book a summer holiday in La Clusaz with Inghams?
At Inghams, we do walking holidays differently. With no fixed itinerary, you have more time in your destination and the freedom to walk as much or as little as you like, discovering some of La Clusaz's best walking routes and activities at your own pace.
With over 85 years of outdoor travel experience, our holiday packages to La Clusaz include flights, transfers, and accommodation, so you can relax and leave the small details to us. Our experts can help you choose the best holiday for you, and our team in resort can give you the inside scoop on how to spend your time away with us.
