Morzine during a May bank holiday:
good or bad idea?

The Chemin du Renard (Fox Trail) → Nyon Waterfall is the must-do spring walk. From the center of Morzine, you follow the Dranse de la Manche river for 30 minutes on the Fox Trail (marked, flat, accessible with children) to a 10-meter waterfall in a beautiful gorge. In May, with the snowmelt, the flow is spectacular. Allow 1h15 round trip, minimal elevation gain, excellent for the whole family.

The Lake Montriond Tour (Montriond, 5 km from Morzine) is another gem: about a 1-hour loop around a turquoise lake surrounded by cliffs and forests. The path is stroller-friendly. From the lake, you can continue to the Ardent waterfall (30 m high, 2h round trip from the lake) — here too, the May flow is impressive.

The Parc des Dérêches, walking along the Dranse from Morzine towards Montriond for 5 km, is an easy and shaded stroll, ideal with children or for a morning jog.

If you are a cyclist, know that May is one of the best months of the year for the mountain passes around Morzine. The roads are open, temperatures are still cool and ideal for exertion, and most importantly: not a single other cyclist in sight. You will have the passes to yourself.

The Col de Joux Plane — climbed 14 times by the Tour de France, unclassified (HC) — officially reopens around May 1st (depending on conditions). From Morzine: 10.9 km at an average of 6.5%, with sections at 10-11%. At the summit, views of Mont Blanc. It is demanding, but it is one of the great Alpine passes — a must-do if you have the legs for it.

For intermediate levels: the Col de l'Encrenaz, the Col de la Joux Verte (road open to cars, accessible by bike), and the climb to Avoriaz (road open even off-season) offer great, less strenuous options. Morzine boasts 25 passes within 50 km and 1,200 km of marked routes.

Lake Montriond is ranked among the 20 must-see sites of the UNESCO Global Geopark of Chablais. In May, it is at its best: surrounded by forests turning green again, with the cliffs and the Roc d'Enfer still snow-capped in the background. The water color — a deep turquoise — is more intense in spring than in mid-summer.

The lake loop (about 1h, stroller-accessible path) is a perfect walk at any time. In the morning, the lake surface is like a mirror. In the late afternoon, the low light on the cliffs is exceptional.

From the lake, you can walk to the Ardent waterfall (30 m), the Brochaux waterfall (from Les Lindarets), or picnic on the banks. In May, you will find a spot without having to search.

Please note: swimming is not recommended in May — the water is fed by snowmelt and remains extremely cold. Save that for July!

In May, Morzine returns to its authentic Savoyard village roots. No more lines at the bakery, restaurant tables free up easily, and some local owners or producers use the off-season to welcome their regulars with special care.

The Saturday morning market in Morzine brings together local producers — Savoy cheeses, cured meats, honey, jams. It's the perfect opportunity to put together a Sunday picnic facing the peaks. A few dining spots remain open year-round (check beforehand), and bakeries and supermarkets operate normally.

It's also the time to enjoy what the high season doesn't allow: strolling through the village, visiting the baroque church, observing the traditional wooden chalets, and sitting on a terrace with a coffee.

Let's be honest: a May bank holiday in Morzine is also, and above all, a break. No need to fill every hour. The mountain air, the silence, the terrace overlooking the snow-capped peaks — that is a full program in itself.

The Spa du Dahu (at the 4* Hotel Le Dahu) offers outside access to its pools and treatments, open to non-residents. It is one of the most beautiful spas in the valley, overlooking the village. Booking in advance is required.

For remote workers, the off-season in May is also a perfect time for a workation: rent a well-equipped apartment for a week or a long weekend, work in the morning, head out in the afternoon. The connection is good in Morzine, and urban distractions are non-existent.

A pleasant surprise: the summer luge in Les Gets is accessible without ski lifts — it operates every weekend and public holiday starting in May, making it a perfect activity for the Ascension or May 8th long weekends. Les Gets is 5 km from Morzine, easily accessible by car.

The Les Gets luge track descends from the La Turche sector for over 1,300 meters. It is suitable for children from 3 years old (accompanied) and adults. It's the ideal activity to break up the pace of a hiking day and treat the little ones — or the young at heart.

The Morzine area is exceptional for fishing. The Dranse de Morzine and the Dranse de la Manche, which flow through the valley, are classified as first-category fishing waters — meaning: brown trout, brook trout, and remarkably clear water fed by spring snowmelt. Lake Montriond is also full of fish and highly appreciated by local anglers.

The fishing season opens on the 2nd Saturday of March — making it fully available during the May bank holidays. For visitors, the process is simple: purchase a daily fishing permit (available at tobacconists and the Morzine tourist office, around €15/day) and follow local regulations (minimum catch size, daily limits).

For those wanting to learn, the Haute-Savoie Fishing Federation offers introductory sessions guided by certified instructors. A surprising, very rejuvenating activity, ideal for quiet days or as a counterpoint to a morning hike.

May is when alpine streams are at their peak. Snowmelt swells the Arve and its tributaries to their maximum flow of the year — making it an ideal time for rafting and canyoning, and paradoxically one of the most sought-after periods by whitewater enthusiasts.

Several providers operate in the area, particularly towards Samoëns (30 min from Morzine) and Thonon-les-Bains (1h), on the Arve and Giffre rivers. Rafting trips are open from April 1st until September 30th, daily by reservation — with boats and routes adapted to the water level. In May, the high flow creates rapids that are more technical and spectacular than in summer.

Canyoning (descending gorges with ziplines, jumps, and natural waterslides) is also available starting in May in the Gorges du Giffre (Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval area) and Le Biot. These trips generally last 2 to 3 hours and are accessible from age 12 with no prior experience needed.