Unique family experiences on the path to simple happiness
10 simple and unforgettable ideas to share with the kids
1. Take a short hike from a village
Several villages along the "Chemin du Petit Bonheur" trail offer easy, short loop hikes. It’s the perfect way to introduce children to hiking without tiring them out.
2. Build a cairn together
Along the trail, you’ll often come across small piles of stacked stones: these are cairns. Kids love building new ones. It’s a great opportunity to explain how they were used for navigation in the past, all while having fun. Be careful not to overdo it to preserve the natural environment, and don’t build them just anywhere (you risk confusing hikers who follow these ancient “signposts”).
3. Have a picnic on a giant table
The "Path of Small Joys" offers numerous natural lookouts with views of the Vanoise glaciers. For example, there are five giant picnic tables (size L, seating 12) at Collet de la Madeleine between Val Cenis and Bessans. Size XL, seating 20, at Val Cenis-Sollières and Val Cenis-Lanslevillard. Or XXL size, with 28 seats, in La Norma and Bessans : it’s up to you to choose the size based on the number of guests!).
Taking the time to stop there for a family picnic is a great way to fully enjoy the moment. Everyone can bring a part of the meal—a wonderful way to get the little ones involved.
4. Cross a wooden footbridge
The footbridges that dot the trail—sometimes spanning a stream or a small ravine—add a touch of adventure to the hike. For kids, it’s a real treat (and a little scary). Be sure to snap a photo of this part of the hike!
5. Watch the marmots
Come spring, marmots begin to peek out in the meadows along the trail between Bessans and Bonneval-sur-Arc. With a little quiet and a pair of binoculars, children can observe these iconic animals in their natural habitat. It’s a memorable, often unforgettable experience.
6. Challenge yourself on the swings
A forest of swings with a view, perfect for playing and taking in the scenery of the Haute Maurienne Vanoise La Norma.
7. Play hide-and-seek around the playhouses
Two cabins for playing or relaxing in the forest in La Norma or in the meadows at Val Cenis-Lanslevillard!
8. Relax on the giant sunbeds
Three giant sun decks for moments of relaxation and contemplation in Val Cenis-Sollières and Lanslevillard and not far from the hamlet of Villaron in Bessans.
9. Hug a tree
A forest therapy center offering moments of rejuvenation in the heart of the trail in Val Cenis, between the villages of Lanslebourg and Termignon
10. A climb like no other
700 "little steps that form a staircase for an alternative to a steep climb in the Chantelouve forest between Val Cenis and Bessans.
Activities along the Path to Little Happiness
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- Val-Cenis
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