A restaurant in Châtel?
Hosting visitors of Smugglers' Audio Walking Trail - Family Loop ? Appear here.
Become a partnerFree · Open access
Smugglers' Audio Walking Trail - Family Loop
4 km family audio trail starting from Lac de Vonnes in Châtel: follow Victor the smuggler along the border paths where salt, tobacco, coffee and cheese once passed between France and Switzerland in the 18th and 19th centuries.
At a glance
Type
Audio trail · Family
Access
Free · Free of charge (audio to download)
Duration
About 2 hrs 30 with stops
Best season
Spring to autumn · subject to snow
Town
Châtel
What is Smugglers' Audio Walking Trail - Family Loop
The Smugglers' Audio Walking Trail - Family Loop is an audio-guided walk laid out by the Châtel Tourist Office, in the Vallée d'Abondance. Equipped with a paper topoguide and a smartphone (or a rentable audio-guide), you follow the border paths between France and Switzerland once used by smugglers to slip salt, tobacco, coffee, chocolate and cheese across the line, and by the gabelous (customs officers) chasing them.
The family loop starts at Lac de Vonnes, in front of the Vieille Douane (Mountain Smuggling Interpretation Centre). It forms a 4 km loop with about 200 m of climb, walked in 2 h 30 with listening stops. A character - Victor, a former smuggler - invites walkers to eavesdrop on his accomplices telling their adventures; children follow the plot from one stop to the next. A second, longer and tougher loop completes the offer for keen adult walkers.
After the walk, the Mountain Smuggling Interpretation Centre inside the Vieille Douane extends the experience with a museum visit.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
Start: Lac de Vonnes / Vieille Douane, 74390 Châtel View on map
Coordinates
46.256017° N - 6.840725° E
Distance / Elevation
~4 km · +200 m
Difficulty
Easy · family circuit
Phone
OT Châtel - +33 4 50 73 22 44
Official website
chatel.com
Opening times
Free access year-round, audio guide self-service. Best conditions from spring to autumn.
Prices
Free (audio to download). Paid battery / audio-guide rental at the tourist office or the Vieille Douane. Interpretation centre paid.
Access / Parking
Lac de Vonnes car park. Châtel village centre 10 min walk away.
Visit duration
About 2 hrs 30 with listening stops
Audience
Families with children, local history enthusiasts
Required equipment
Charged smartphone + headphones, paper topoguide, walking shoes.
Winter
Winter season
Winter access window
Not specified
Winter infrastructure
Not specified
Snow panorama
Not specified
Equipment mandated
Loi Montagne II — winter tyres or chains required (1 Nov – 31 Mar)
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
A bakery, a shop in Châtel?
Share hours and specialties with visitors of Smugglers' Audio Walking Trail - Family Loop.
Become a partnerA nearby stay?
Gîte, B&B, campsite, rental in Châtel.
Become a partnerPhotos
Gallery
Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where does the Smugglers' Audio Trail in Châtel start?
The Smugglers' Audio Trail - family loop starts at Lac de Vonnes in Châtel, right in front of the Vieille Douane (Mountain Smuggling Interpretation Centre).
Is the Smugglers' Audio Trail in Châtel paid?
Not for the trail itself. Access to the Smugglers' Audio Trail is free; the audio files are downloaded by visitors themselves. Renting a battery or an audio guide at the tourist office or the Vieille Douane may be paid.
How long does the Smugglers' Audio Trail take?
The family loop of the Smugglers' Audio Trail is 4 km with about 200 m of climb, walked in around 2 hrs 30 with listening stops.
Is the Smugglers' Audio Trail suitable for children?
Yes. The family loop of the Smugglers' Audio Trail in Châtel is specifically designed for families: narration by Victor the smuggler, a short route with little climb, fun stops.
What can you do after the Smugglers' Audio Trail?
After the Smugglers' Audio Trail, you can visit the Mountain Smuggling Interpretation Centre in the Vieille Douane of Châtel, which extends the experience with a paid museum visit.
What equipment do I need for the Smugglers' Audio Trail?
For the Smugglers' Audio Trail, bring a charged smartphone (and a spare battery), headphones, the paper topoguide, walking shoes and water.
Sources
Sources & verification
- OT Châtel — fiche sentier sonore
- Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc — fiche officielle
- Cirkwi — fiche circuit 319974
- Centre d'interprétation de la Contrebande en Montagne (Vieille Douane)
Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
Nearby
Nearby
Other places to explore in the area and in the same category
Paid
Châtel
Châtel
Châtel, a village resort in the Portes du Soleil on the French-Swiss border, linked to Morgins: 120 km of pistes, cross-country skiing, the Linga snowpark and an international ski area. Access and information.
Paid
Forme d'O Châtel
Châtel
Forme d'O Châtel: indoor aquatic centre with pool, wellness/spa area, sauna and hammam in the heart of the Châtel resort.
Paid
Super-Châtel Gondola
Châtel
Super-Châtel Gondola: reach the alpine lake and 360° panorama at 1,650 m from Châtel village. Summer tickets from €8.90 (2025 prices).
Free
Morclan Trail
Châtel
Very easy interpretive trail at Chatel: 3.5 km, views over the Vallee d'Abondance and the Mont de Grange, open 15 June - 15 September.
Free
Walking route – Banks of the Dranse path
Châtel
Easy flat 16 km path along the Dranse between Châtel and Abondance: family-friendly, stroller, bike. Abondance valley, free.
Free
Eterlou Walking Trail
Châtel
Family interpretive trail at Pre-la-Joux (Chatel): 600 m loop, about 50 min, fauna and flora panels, open May - October.