Camping des Glaciers is located in the village of La Fouly at the very end of the Val Ferret, in the Valais canton. Situated at the foot of the Saint Bernard mountain pass surrounded by mountain peaks and glacial remains and apart of the Mont Blanc massif, the valley is though surprisingly quite wide and flat. The perfect location for a campground. And the area has kept its authentic mountain valley feel too, as up until the 1950’s the isolated location meant locals only stayed during the summer months.
Just a short 1.5-hour drive from where we live in Vaud, Camping des Glacier makes an ideal location for a weekend trip. La Fouly is accessible by public transit, but many campers hike in and out.
What types of accommodation is on offer at Camping des Glacier?
The campground offers about 300 large and well-spaced campsites, compared to European standards, which are separated by tall grass. The upper level of the campground borders the forest line and pitches up here are your best chance for some shade. We, though, were camping with friends and had two plots in the lower grassy meadow. While we usually prefer a site with a bit of shade, we did enjoy having a 360-degree view of the gorgeous mountain scenery the treeless field allowed.
The campground is popular with hikers doing the Tour du Mont Blanc, and there is a designated bivouac area. There are also four cabins for rent.
What facilities does the campsite offer?
The campsite offers a few large toilet/shower/dishwashing/laundry stations dispersed around the campground. Each one also equipped with a freezer for cooler ice packs, which was handy. There is also a large room called the “Grange” with tables, games, TV and internet access. While primarily used by hikers, it could be useful in case of rain or bad weather. Electricity is available on request, though a long extension cord was often needed to reach the power outlet.
What activities does the campsite offer?
Not much! That is the beauty of Camping des Glaciers. It’s a simple campground that will appeal to those looking for a more rustic camping experience. There are a couple of playground options: one near reception and a second near the meadow with a climbing wall.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner: What are your recommendations?
A minimal selection of essentials is available at the reception. Reception is also where order your bread (by 6 pm) for delivery the next morning. Otherwise, it’s best to come prepared with your own food. There is, though, a good-sized grocery store and a couple of restaurants, just a short walk away in the village.
While there is no designated barbecue area, the campground lends barbecues that can be used on your site (if you are counting on one it would be best to ask as soon as you arrive). There are fire pits dispersed in the forest that can be used for picnics and barbecues. Some campsites that are difficult to access and rarely used (site 301, for example) can also be used for picnics.
What to see and do outside the campground?
The hiking possibilities are endless! There are a few easy hikes that depart directly from the campground. Otherwise, there are hikes of all levels leaving in all directions from the village. The lift in the village operates the first 15 minutes of every hour and takes you to 2000m altitude. We didn’t bring our bikes, but the valley is pretty flat, and there seemed to be a lot of biking opportunities, even for families with kids. Won’t make that mistake next time. For a longer stay, you will probably want to explore more of the area, but as we stayed just for a weekend only, we didn’t use our car at all. There is a lake in nearby Champex for those who want to play in the water, and right next door to the campground is an accrobranche (high-ropes) course.
Any tips for what not to forget?
Warm clothes. At 1’600m altitude, the nights are cool even in the summer. And an extension cord roll if electricity is essential to you.
Best way to book?:
We booked about a month prior to our stay through the campground’s website. You can communicate any special requests (for example, a site in/near the forest) when you reserve and they do their best to accommodate them. We stayed for a weekend in June, and the campground was quite busy already, but this was apparently an exception and likely due to Swiss residents staying close to home in spring/summer 2020.
What sets this campground apart from the rest?
The location, spacious plots, and the mindblowing mountain views sets Camping des Glaciers apart. I am Canadian and grew up camping in Canada’s national and provincial parks, where campsites are usually situated in clearings in the forest and separated from neighbouring sites – this is the closest I’ve seen in Europe.
About the Author: Jan Sandink
We are a Canadian/French family of five. Each year we spend part of our summer holidays and many summer weekend camping in our large, multi-room tent. We love combining camping and travel.
