People often come to the mountains for their summits, their alpine meadows or their panoramas. However, in the valleys of Valmorel and Aigueblanche, it's sometimes the water that steals the show. Spectacular waterfalls, impetuous torrents, high-altitude lakes, preserved wetlands or thermal waters… Discover some of the most refreshing summer experiences.
From the first few kilometres of walking, the tone is set. Starting from the hamlet of Mottet, the Cascade Loop leads hikers into the heart of the Morel valley.
On this 8.3-kilometre route, the paths alternate between forests and mountain pastures, eventually revealing one of the area's natural jewels: the Morel waterfall and its impressive 80-metre height.
At the summit of the route, your gaze can reach as far as Mont Blanc, while the roar of the water accompanies walkers all the way up. But you don't just observe the water; you experience it too.
From wild torrents to hanging lakes
In the Celliers valley, thrill-seekers find their playground in the Eau Rousse and Pussy canyons. Jumps, abseiling, natural pools, and passages carved by the torrents offer a radically different way to discover the mountains.
Beginners can get started in the most accessible sectors, while experienced practitioners can find some of the most renowned routes in the area.
For those who prefer to slow down the pace, head to the Malatrai lake. Accessible in an hour's walk from Valmorel, or in a few minutes thanks to the Pierrafort cable car followed by a short stroll, this mountain lake seems suspended between sky and mountain.
Facing Mont Blanc, the Lauzière massif and the Morel hills, time seems to stand still. A few brave souls venture in for a dip, but most come primarily to enjoy the silence and the view.
Lower down in the valley, the Morel trail offers another immersion. Here, walkers progress to the rhythm of the waterfalls. More than sixty cascades punctuate this shaded walk, which also tells the story of this torrent, once feared by the valley's inhabitants.
When water tells the story of the mountain
Water has shaped landscapes, but also the lives of men. In Nâves, the Mills Trail allows you to step back in time. Along the route, you'll discover the remains of installations that once used the force of torrents to mill grain, saw wood, or irrigate crops. A walk that reminds us how essential this resource was to the daily lives of mountain villages.
A few kilometres further on, the educational trail «Lulu la Libellule» invites you to discover high-altitude wetlands. Accessible to families, this loop reveals an often-overlooked world where frogs, dragonflies, and small reptiles find refuge. It's a fun way to understand the fundamental role these fragile environments play in the balance of Alpine ecosystems.
To prolong the experience, some even choose to let themselves be guided by the thermal waters of La Léchère. A few minutes from Valmorel, the Thermes offer mini-cures of three to six days combining treatments, physical recovery and well-being. Another way to enjoy the virtues of water, this time focused on relaxation and fitness.