Summer activities around Abondance
For those seeking an active holiday there are locally waymarked trails for walking and mountain biking. There is superb high-level walking straight from the village and many outstanding routes in the adjoining valleys. For the mountain biker the Portes du Soleil region has 24 lifts that open in the summer giving access to 580 km of marked cycle tracks. For serious riders there are 9 downhill competition tracks as well as trail and biker-cross circuits. If you are a novice off-road cyclist there are many great tracks to build your confidence and mountain bikes can be hired locally. This really is superb mountain biking country.
The fast flowing River Dranse, only 15 mins from Abondance village, is the location for a white water rafting centre. Here a team of well organised and professional instructors will ensure that you have a safe but thrilling day out. While you are there you can also experience white water swimming, canyoning and canoeing. Other local activities include rock climbing, via ferrata, fishing, equestrian trecking, paragliding and the exhilarating ‘Fantasticable’ zip-wire from the top of the Rochassons ski lift. This incredible experience is unique to Chatel where two zip wires stretch at 720 ft. over the Plaine-Dranse enabling you to fly high across the valley at speeds of up to 130 kph.
If you are a golfing aficionado you will be pleased to know that the region has seven 18-hole golf courses and three 9-hole courses. The Haute Savioe region of the French Alpes is probably one of the most underrated golf destinations in Europe. With so many fantastic courses, amidst breathtaking mountain scenery, the area has something to offer all levels of golfer. There are courses at Avoriaz, the championship course at Evian and superb views from the Les Gets golf course. For the keen golfer there is a golfing pass available which allows five different green fees selected from courses in the area. View a map of the summer routes for La Chapelle d'Abondance. Click on any of the images at the sides of this page for specific information on the many activities available. View some YouTube videos of activities.
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In summer the mountains are carpeted with flowers and the alpine meadows tinkle
with the sound of cowbells. Apart from sight-seeing the area offers opportunities
for walking, climbing, mountain biking, paragliding, kayaking, rafting and
fishing. Or why not take a stroll to the village square and enjoy a coffee
at one of the cafes before browsing the local speciality shops. A wide range
of services are available in the village including restaurants, cafes, a small
supermarket, boulangerie, patisserie, boucherie, delicatessen, pharmacy, banks,
post office and ski shops. Sunday is market day and the village square is filled
with a variety of stalls selling meat, vegetables and local produce such as
honey and Abondance cheese, as well a clothes and gifts. 
For the
water enthusiast Chatel and Morzine have their own swimming pools and there
are fabulous 50m pools and lidos in the beautiful spa towns of Evian and Thonon,
on the shores of Lake Geneva. Thonon has a marina and many restaurants in the
old part of the town, by the water’s edge. There are numerous beaches along
the lake. Boats can be hired or you can take one of the lake cruises to Lausanne
or Geneva, and at the Eastern end of the lake there is a large aqua park at
le Bouveret. 
© 2009 Chalet Abondance
