I love hiking and when I was informed that I was going to hike to the summit Pointe de Bellevue in Morgins in the Région Dents du Midi, Switzerland. I was super excited. It was to watch the sunrise over the Alps at 2042 meters and enjoy 360°views of the Portes Du Soleil. Then afterward have a traditional Swiss breakfast on an Alpine Farm with the Dents-du-Midi as the backdrop.
Sunrise hike and Breakfast on an Alpine Farm
Who would not want to admire some of the most beautiful summits of the Alps; Massifs du Chablais, Monts du Jura, Dents-du-Midi, Le Mont-Blanc ou encore le Lac Léman with the sun rising behind them reflecting those beautiful bright colours of orange and pinks.
Read More – Top Things to Do in Summer – Morgins Switzerland
However, the night before events did not prepare me in any way for this scenic sunrise hike in Morgins. I had good intentions of going to bed early and being all bright eyed and bushy tailed ready to go. Instead, I woke up tired and craving coffee with just two hours sleep and wondered how I was going to get to the summit in time for sunrise.
The Night Before
As I was on my way back to my hotel Boutique Hotel Chez Jan Morgins after dinner, I was greeted by the hotel owner who opened the main door for me. He asked me if I wanted to join him, his wife, and their friends for a drink before bed, and me being the typical Australian I said Yes to wine.
I sat down with the others and I automatically got caught up in their interesting stories from around the world. I felt like I had known all these people for years and we were just friends catching up on our travels.
Before I knew it, it was 1.30 am and I was wondering how did the time slip away from me. I said my good nights and went off to bed hoping that I would fall straight to sleep.
The Morning After
I was woken suddenly by my loud alarm the next morning, all I could think was that I just have fallen asleep. As I crawled out of bed and got dressed, I was thinking just another 5 minutes sleep. I grabbed my backpack and my bottle of water and headed off to the meeting point at the front of the tourism office.
I met with the guide and a group of other people who were also going to do the hike. The group comprised of various ages from young teenagers with their parents to an older lady with her daughter. I felt at ease that this hike can be done by anyone with good fitness abilities and not just hardcore hikers.
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As we set off in the cars to the starting point, I started waking up a little more and was getting excited about the views on the way up. Especially as I had only seen Morgins Switzerland and the surrounding summits covered in snow.
The Hike
We arrived at the meeting point car park and we set off on our hike up to the Pointe de Bellevue summit. I should point out though that the meeting point is only a couple of hundred meters away from the summit and should only take you an hour to reach the top of Pointe de Bellevue. You don’t do the whole 2041meter up to the top, it is a gentle hike with some steep bits.
My legs started feeling tired as soon as I started walking, how could I have been so silly not to sleep much. I went from being at the front of the group to falling behind to the end. The guide waited for me but I informed him that he could go ahead with the others and not to wait for me.
On the way up
The first bit of the hike was through some trees and had few steep bits on the Swiss and French border. The group was getting further and further away from me but they were never far enough that I couldn’t see them. Once I was above the trees, that’s when I really started taking in the view and my tiredness went right away.
By this stage, the sun was already starting to rise and I knew that I would not make it to the summit on time. Instead, I decided to take my time going up and take advantage of taking pictures of the surrounding mountains with the colours coming up in the background. I knew once I was above them that I could get some great pictures of the surrounding mountains.
It was such a picturesque walk that I couldn’t stop pausing to take pictures, everywhere I looked I would see another colour appear which would change the scenery completely. I was getting distracted and realised that I didn’t come all this way not to get to the top and see that 360 views, even if the sun had already risen.
Once I saw the others reach the summit, I knew that I was not that far away. I took a few more pictures and musted up the energy to get to the top. As I arrived at the summit everyone started to clap, yes I made it to the top and those views were just WOW.
Traditional Alpine Breakfast
After your morning hike, you make your way to a family farm in the Alpine des Tovarres to have breakfast with a local family. You are served a selection of sweet and savoury local products that are made on the farm or in the area. It is a great way to finish off the hike and start your day.
Top Tips for the sunset hike
- Please let them know if you will be using your own car to get to the hiking start point.
- If you think it might be too hard, it is ok as the hike is good for mixed abilities
- Check to see if you can do this hike, even if you staying in the neighboring resorts like Champéry, Switzerland
- The hiking route is steep in some parts but nothing anyone cannot handle
- If you are a confident hiker, you can do the route yourself during the day
- Take a bottle of water and comfortable hiking or walking shoes
Additional Information
- Price: CHF 15- Per Person
- Tour duration; 2-3 hours
- Intervals: Once a week during Summer
- Where to Book – You can book the tour up until 5pm of the previous day from the Tourism office
Other Resorts in the Portes du Soleil & Hikes
If you are interested in discovering more of the Portes Du Soleil or Hiking Routes, you can check out my following articles. All are great options for a ski weekend trip with friends or with family.
- A Summer Guide – Morzine, France
- Champéry Ski Resort (Also known as part of the new Région Dents du Midi ) – Champery, Switzerland
- Helpful hints for tackling Everest Base Camp, Nepal – Himalayas, Nepal
- What to do in the Summer – Les Gets, Portes Du Soleil France
- Travel Bloggers Share their favourite Hikes Around the World – The World Pt2
Thank you for reading this article, I hope it helped you to decide what to do while in Morgins Switzerland. It is truly a beautiful place to visit in Summer and Winter.
If you are interested in discovering more of the surrounding areas in Switzerland & France you can read my post about Morzine and Les Gets.
Have you stayed in Morgins Switzerland or hiked in the Portes Du Soleil area before? I would love to hear your experiences in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Even though I was a guest of the Morgins Tourism Office Région Dents du Midi. All views are my own and based on my own experience.
Remember that you need to get some good Hiking Boots
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Morgins looks outstanding. The sunrise walk would be fabulous. Like you, I am not keen on rising early, but sunrise walks are worth it. I am sure that you were glad that you did it.
It is definitely worth getting up early to go see. The colours were beautiful, especially over the alps.
As I am writing this comment I can feel the aching muscles all over my body. I went on a hike two days ago and this is the sweet result of that hike. 🙂 Anyways, I can totally understand what it feels like to go on a hike without proper sleep. I have had exactly the same issue. I get too much excited and fail to fall asleep in time. Weirdly, I remain sleep deprived even after doing the hike. I think too much of physical exhaustion causes sleeplessness!
I have done that as well 🙂 I do love hiking especially to new and exciting places. I was little distracted though by taking pictues
Wow! A sunrise hike seems like and incredible experience. Everything always seems so much more beautiful at sunrise and sunset. And the Alps are always beautiful!
I totally agree with you, I always think sunrise and sunsets are just beautiful. They make you feel relaxed and clam 🙂
Love the idea of a manageable hike that can be done in a day, perfect! But I empathise with getting sucked into interesting convos that lead to late bed times, i think I would have woken up late too. All worth it for the stunning views!
This a great hike because you can do it in the morning and then still have the rest of the day to explore and hang out. Such a beautiful place
Looks so beautiful! I can only imagine what it was like to gaze at that gorgeous sun rise from the peak of the mountain. Loved your photos, and that hotel seems so charming. 🙂
It really was a stunning view watching the sunrise was beautiful 🙂 The hotel was super nice and the owners they were some of the nicest people I have met
Great pictures of Alpine tops…including a cross. Thanks for this info.
Thanks
Beautiful photos!
It’s a terrible feeling when you’ve underslept before a big hike, threatens to suck the fun right out of it! I’m glad you soldiered on to the top and I love that they gave you a round of applause when you made it haha
I can’t say no to wine 🙂 and a good chat!!! If I went back I most likely would do it again 🙂
That sunrise looks absolutely fantastic! I’ve done a few of those early morning hikes, and felt the same was as you did when your alarm went off in the morning. It feels like we just fell asleep 5 minutes ago! I spent some time in Germany and regret that I didn’t make it over to Switzerland. Now I totally need to go!
After the breakfast at the alpine farm, I went back and had a little nana nap 🙂 I love hiking and I think doing them in Germany
Never heard of Morgins. Only been to Geneva. You look so happy at the top!
It is a pretty place
Since I visited Liechtenstein last month, I am a huge fan of the Alps. I am rather more of a “sea” or “ocean” person, but I mean the Alps are just soooo impressive. I love the idea of staying on an alpine farm.
Liechtenstein is such a beautiful place 🙂 I love the alps and beaches too. Both are amazing in their own special way
The scenery in Switzerland is always amazing. the Alps are fantastic and to see a sunrise would be a once in a lifetime experience
This region Portes du Soleil is definitely one of my favourites. What I didn’t mention is that hike in on the border of France and Switzerland.
Your photos are absolutely stunning! We were in Switzerland just for a very short time and now I want to go back and explore. What beautiful sunrise!
Thank you very much, I appreciate it. It is such a picturesque place to take photos from. Definitely, if you ever have the chance check this side of Switzerland out.
Hiking in Switzerland must surely rank as one of the purest pleasures of life. The panoramic table at the Pointe de Bellevue Morgins is really stunning. Have been in Switzerland twice but not had occasion to do any hiking, hope to make amends next time.
The views up and the at the Pointe de Bellevue were definitely beautiful. It is one of those places that you never get sick of taking photos off.
I know that feeling of having to get up early for a hike after not much sleep! Who can say no to wine and new friends though? A short, few hundred metre hike sounds like my kind of walk – especially when the views are that spectacular! I’d love to visit the Alps at some point to take in those kind of views!
I concur I love a good conversation especially over a glass of wine 🙂 This is a great little hike if you want to do something early and then have the rest of the day to explore.
Sunsets get a lot of attention for being a romantic sight but I think the same can be said of sunrise too! This sounds like the perfect hike to take while in Switzerland. The views of the mountains are absolutely gorgeous!
I agree Sunsets and sunrise hikes are romantic but also makes everything feel clam and relaxed.
Wow so beautiful
Thanks very much Mel
Wow what a beautiful place to go for a hike.I would of probably been the last person to arrive at the summit to I would of been to busy admiring the amazing views.
It is so pretty there and the best bit the hike is only in the morning, so if you wanted to do other things for the day you can.
Oh wow how beautiful is this place. I have never heard of Morgins before, I am definitely going to look it up. BTW love your pictures they always make me want to travel.
Thank you very much, definitely look up this beautiful Swiss village. It is such a beautiful place right on the board of Switzerland and France.
Switzerland is one of my favourite countries, and this posts pretty much sums it up to why I love it so much! The beautiful traditional mountain chalets and not to mention the landscape are out of this world!
The photos of Mount Blanc during sunrise are incredible!
I love Switzerland to and it is a country I would not have a problem moving to one day. I just think it is such a beautiful place 🙂
Yay!!! You made it top. I can imagine the thrill as I had been a last one once to reach the summit. And what glorious views! Worth all the effort of making it top. Trekking in Swiss alps is a dream for me!
lol, I blame the wine the night before 🙂 I did feel good once I made it to the top, it was a lot of fun 🙂
Sounds like it was worth getting up for, the views look amazing! How fun to have breakfast on a local farm too!
It was totally worth it, even the night before talking to all those lovely people in the hotel. Definitely, recommond it if you ever over that way chick.
Your pictures are impressive of Switzerland. I’m not much of a hiker but love looking at pictures of hiking. I would of been still sitting in the hotel chatting. Great post
Thank you very much Abby, I appreciate your lovely comment. This is a pretty easy hike and you don’t have to rush 🙂
The pictures you’ve shared from your early morning hike for sunrise and breakfast motivate be to get up early in the morning to do it myself. I’d try get an early night though and not drink, I’ve heard some people stay up enjoying wine until 1-30 am. Like you say the colours are completely different during sunrise which makes for unique pictures (as long as it’s clear). I’d imagine the breakfast is even more delicious after reaching the summit.
I think we were pretty lucky but it is summer so the weather was fairly good. If anything I got sunburnt 🙂 Most definitely that breakfast after the hike was so good. I couldn’t get enough food
I literally just got back from Switzerland two weeks ago! Such a fun and beautiful scenic trip! I also, while being there, ate my whole way through my vacations and I loved every single second of it! They have such delicious CHOCOLATE along as their regular, typical food! I am glad you got to enjoy Mont Blanc as much as I did, by far one of my coolest experiences! Your pictures are out of this world, btw!
I love Switzerland, I am lucky to go there a few times a year. Glad to hear that you had a great time when you were there too and thank you very much in regards to my pictures.
You’re living the dream! I can’t wait until I visit Switzerland someday. I am loving all those views you had along the way. I felt the same way when I lived in New Zealand re: stopping all too often to snap a photo. I often found pictures sometimes just can’t do places like this justice! Great pics!
I totally agree with you, sometimes pictures do not do a place justice. I have been to New Zealand but like 25years ago, I would love to go back though as it is such a beautiful place. I hope that you get to Switzerland one day!!!
Such an incredible place for a picturesque hike in the mountains. The views are simply postcard shots . The best views of the sunrise is indeed at he sunrise and the sunset.
It is definitely a beautiful hike but I forgot to mention it is on the border of Switzerland and France.
Oh my goodness, what a delightful hike! Switzerland is my parents’ favorite country! I can totally see why! Stunning.
It is one of my favourite countries too 🙂
That looks like such a picturesque hike. I would have ended up talking to the owner and his family till 1:30 Am as well. Knowing my hiking capabilities, I would have been at the end of the pack as well.
I love a good chat over a glass or two of wine 🙂 So, glad that it was an easy hike otherwise I don’t know if I would have made it up. Definitely worth it though
Oops,I’ve been caught out with wine the night before a hike and omg I suffered!! Learned my lesson though, and now know to get an early night! These views are unreal – even with a hangover they are gorgeous!
lol, I can never say no to good glass of wine and conversation. It is what makes the world go around 🙂
We are wondering how we missed this beautiful place when in Switzerland. The pictures of the sceneries and the sunrise are awe-inspiring definitely worth the hike. Glad you could make it even after a couple of hours sleep. We usually avoid hiking trips as we have a kiddo to accompany but good to know that you had families too on the trip.
You could definitely take your child up here, it is not very hard and it is only an hour up. There are a couple of steep bits but they are not too hard either.
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Kudos to you!! I’m not that good on mountains and I still need to get more bearings in the hiking world. I have done novice trails that might last 30-45 minutes, not hours yet. I know waking up early must have sucked but that view was clearly worth it.
This is only a 1hr hike up and definitely good for beginners 🙂 I definitely didn’t want to get up but I was so glad I did 🙂
Those views are just stunning at sunrise! Your recent posts remind me that there are still so many beautiful places nearby, here in Europe, that we haven’t been to. Morgins looks amazing, can’t believe we never visited, we have been in that area so many times!
Your boys would love this hike and it is only in the morning before you head to an alpine farm for breakfast.
Morgins in Switzerland is so stunning, and your photos really do the place justice! I’m so glad to read that anyone of any fitness level can take part in the hike – I always think I’ll be too unfit! That said, I would definitely take sweet over savoury for breakfast, I’d need the sugar to give me a energy boost!
This is a great hike for anyone, I loved the fact that you can do this in the morning and then you have the whole day to explore