Many visitors come to Morzine for a specific reason: to experience the buzz surrounding popular trails, see popular sights, share cool photos of cafés on Instagram, etc. And of course, those things are all definitely worth seeing. However, Morzine (as with most mountain towns) has a Character that is best discovered when you diverge away from the well-trodden paths. Locals are not hanging out at the same view points as everyone else. They tend to gravitate toward areas that are less busy, have narrower pathways, and are often home to mountain goats… before even seeing another human being!
For those who enjoy visiting off the beaten path, this guide provides another perspective on Morzine—one that is relished by the locals.
Table of Contents
The Forest Path Behind the Old-Morzine Farmhouses
An area just a little off from the old stone farmhouses at the end of the village has a path through it that you might not find on tourist maps, but a lot of Morzinians know this trail very well when they are looking for a quiet walk. The pathway curves through a dense forest, forming shaded areas in July due to the age of the trees; therefore, this time of year is usually cooler than most other months due to the lack of sun.
This path does not lead to a notable view point. Instead, it leads to a clearing with just enough space to sit and look out toward the mountains. It’s where some residents go for a quick breather before or after work. There’s no signboard, no noise, no rush — just Morzine in its most honest form.
A Quiet Spot by the River Dranse That Tourists Rarely Reach
The River Dranse cuts through Morzine with that constant Alpine sound — not loud, not quiet, but steady and soothing. The majority of visitors stop at the bridges or wider paths along the river. If you’re staying at the Perimeter where there are many visitors there will be a spot that gives you a View on the edge of some tall grass and a lot of shrubbery growing on branches.
It doesn’t have a name. It’s not marked on any walking guide. But locals know it as the ideal escape when the village feels a little too busy. You can sit there for an hour and hear nothing except water sliding over stones. Then you need to bring a drink or at least take the time to soak in the refreshing breeze coming off the river.
If you are seeking the best opportunity to just relax in Morzine this place is perfect.
The Bench Overlooking the Valley That Hardly Anyone Notices
Most of the scenic photo opportunities in Morzine are not located at the designated photography locations, one of which (with my apologies to the locals) is an unmarked location that is found halfway up one of the smaller surrounding hills, close to the village. This bench is so easy to miss that no one thinks about it until they walk past it. Since it gives you a clear view of the rooftops, church steeple and mountains in the area without being crowded by others that are taking pictures at the best-known locations.
It’s the kind of view that feels personal.
Not dramatic. Not staged. Just real.
Go in early morning or during golden hour, and the whole valley is aglow. It’s one of those simple moments travelers remember long afterward.
A Lakeside Corner at Lac de Montriond Few Tourists Explore
Lac de Montriond is famous and popular, particularly in summer. Most visitors of Morzine do not explore other areas of the village, however, and only explore along the side streets to restaurants, but there is an unmarked location with a very quiet area filled with low-hanging trees and very clear still water located there
Visitors flock to this area of Morzine which offers picnic spots for resting, a great place for reading, and the place for locals that prefer sitting down with their feet in a cold lake. This side of the lake remains relatively untouched because on busy days it requires a bit of walking to get to the lake. The outcome is a place that resembles a great version of Morzine with clear reflections of the mountains.
If you are considering an opportunity for photography, this hidden corner of Morzine is one of the most peaceful shots you will ever have taken in that vicinity.
An Overlook Near the Goat Village (But Not the One Tourists Crowd)
When it comes to the “Goat Village,” most visitors hear about the goats that roam freely around a charming little village in the mountains. What most visitors do not know is that you can hike up the hill a little way, and you will find a place called ‘lookout’, and this location is often very quiet with nobody there.
This viewpoint is a great place to see a rolling hillside leading up to the rich Morzine valley. Many locals visit the viewpoint to enjoy the peace and quiet rather than take photos. In the autumn months, it starts changing from a bright green view to an array of deep orange and deep red colours. In the winter months, the viewpoint is a blank canvas over a peaceful white landscape.
Sometimes the goats wander up to this area too. If they do, you’ll hear them before you see them — their bells echoing in that soft Alpine way.
A Tiny Local Café Terrace Away From the Main Square
One final hidden spot isn’t a trail or overlook. It’s a small terrace belonging to a café slightly removed from the main square. It doesn’t advertise. It doesn’t show up in tourist “top 10” lists. But it’s where local residents grab their morning coffee without bumping elbows with a dozen ski boots.
This is the ‘quiet view’ of what daily life is like in Morzine from up here on the terrace, where you see children walking by in their uniforms; shopkeepers opening their shutters to start the day, locals saying hello when they walk past one another. While you won’t have the same enormous mountain view, you will be able to connect with Morzine in the same way through the daily events that happen to the majority of people long before they return to Morzine later in life.
Final Thoughts
The beauty in Morzine can be found in more than just the renowned ski trails or the shops in town; indeed, so often it’s those small snippets of life—empty hiking trails, calming flowing rivers, and even wandering secluded benches by the lake—that give you a better understanding of the community.
If you stray only a little from the beaten track, you’ll find a more subdued and intimate Morzine, one which the locals enjoy when the crowd has moved elsewhere.
