Best for Walking & Easy Trails 2026

Best for Walking & Easy Trails compares the strongest Alpine summer bases for gentle valley walks, scenic lake loops, and accessible mountain paths — perfect for a relaxed summer holiday. The shortlist spans Slovenia, France, Austria, Switzerland and prioritises lift access, village facilities, activity variety and easy accommodation options for 2026 trips.

How these resorts are ranked

Resorts are ranked by the relevant summer activity mix, lift-served access, trail variety, family/adventure facilities, altitude range and how easy it is to build a multi-day mountain holiday around the village.

The top 10 summer picks combine high-mountain scenery with practical activity depth, so readers can compare hiking, biking, climbing, water sports and family options without opening every resort page.

Top 10 best for walking & easy trails

  1. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Zip Line, Lake Swimming, Playground; 810–1295 m, 485 m vertical.
  2. Courchevel, France — Hiking, Golf, Mountain Biking, Horse Riding, Kids Activities; 1300–2738 m, 1438 m vertical.
  3. Avoriaz, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Playground, Adventure Park; 1100–2466 m, 1366 m vertical.
  4. Morzine, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, White Water Rafting, Lake Swimming, Adventure Park; 1000–2466 m, 1466 m vertical.
  5. Ellmau (SkiWelt), Austria — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Playground, Adventure Park; 820–1957 m, 1137 m vertical.
  6. Val d'Isère, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running, Golf, Kids Activities; 1550–3456 m, 1906 m vertical.
  7. Méribel, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Via Ferrata, Kids Activities; 1450–2952 m, 1502 m vertical.
  8. Megève, France — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Horse Riding, Paragliding; 1113–2353 m, 1240 m vertical.
  9. St. Moritz, Switzerland — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Lake Swimming, Horse Riding; 1775–3303 m, 1528 m vertical.
  10. Villars-Gryon, Switzerland — Hiking, Mountain Biking, Golf, Playground, Kids Activities; 1300–2120 m, 820 m vertical.

Booking notes

Hotels with scenic walking access. Compare both hotels and apartments, then check transfer distance before booking — a resort that looks cheaper can lose its value if airport access is awkward during school-holiday weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best resort in this guide for 2026?

Kranjska Gora currently ranks first for best for walking & easy trails thanks to its mix of 7 summer activities and strong access from Ljubljana (LJU).

How does AlpineSwitch rank best for walking & easy trails?

Resorts are ranked by the relevant summer activity mix, lift-served access, trail variety, family/adventure facilities, altitude range and how easy it is to build a multi-day mountain holiday around the village.

Should I book early for these resorts?

Yes. For peak 2026 weeks, book accommodation three to five months ahead. Smaller resorts often have fewer beds, while headline resorts sell the best-value apartments and hotels first.