Lac d'Annecy
A different way to cycle around Lake Annecy
Massif des Bornes and Massif des Bauges
Departement and Region: Haute-Savoie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Main passes: Col de la Forclaz, col de Bluffy, col de Leschaux, montée du Semnoz
Étape sur Route des Grandes Alpes® cyclo: Lac d'Annecy variant
Summary
- Suggestions for cycling loops
- Our major passes
- Events around cycling du vélo
- Biking around Lake Annecy
- Summer around Lake Annecy
- Other seasons
- Other events
- Services
- Testimonials
- FAQ
- Access
- Contacts
- Other villages and resorts near the Lake Annecy
Suggestions for cycling loops around Lake Annecy
Our major mountain passes
At the four corners of the Lake Annecy destination, the cols - used by the professionals in the Tour de France peloton - offer athletes and all cycling enthusiasts exceptional climbs and panoramic views.
- The most mythical of these is undoubtedly the Col de la Forclaz de Montmin, which dominates Lake Annecy at 1147m. The Col du Semnoz takes you right up to the heights of the region at 1670m. Its ascent, from the shores of Lake Annecy to the mountain pastures at the summit, offers an exceptional panorama of the Alps.
- The col de Leschaux (897m) is a link between the Lake Annecy area and the heart of the Bauges massif.
- The Col de Bluffy (639m) links the Lake Annecy sector with the numerous Thônes and Aravis routes. The view of the thousand-year-old Château de Menthon is remarkable.
- The Col des Glières, culminating at 1297m, crosses the famous Plateau des Glières - a Mecca of the French Resistance - with its gravelled alpine pasture track. Between nature, history and sporting challenge, it's all there for a great climb!
Bicycle events
Lake Annecy will once again be showcased for its cycling assets during the Critérium du Dauphiné 2024. The 8th and final stage of this cycling competition, created in 1947, will take place between Thônes and the Plateau des Glières. It's an opportunity for the professional riders to discover superb panoramas and a final climb of almost 10km at 7.1% to reach a historic Haute-Savoie landmark. All lovers of cycling, nature and history are invited to join us on Sunday June 9.
Coming back in winter
In winter, when the snow covers the heights of destination Lake Annecy, three winter sports resorts offer you the pleasures of skiing just a few kilometers from the waters of the lake. Just 30 minutes from Annecy, the Montmin-Col de la Forclaz resort offers a small, pleasant and sunny ski area. Here, young and old alike can discover the joys of winter. The ideal spot for beginners, with the lake just below! The Semnoz resort is the family spot 20 minutes from Annecy. It offers downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, walking trails, tobogganing and catering. On this plateau culminating at an altitude of almost 1,700m, you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the Alps. The Glières Nordic ski area offers cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, hiking on groomed trails, restaurants and gîtes. Just 45 minutes from downtown Annecy, the spot blends sport, nature and culture with all the local history linked to the maquisards.
Other events
- 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝘂 𝗟𝗮𝗰 d'𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘆 - April 14
- 𝗠𝗮𝗫𝗶-𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝘂 𝗹𝗮𝗰 d'A𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘆 - May 31 to June 2
- 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝘀𝗠𝗮𝗻 - June 8 and 9
- 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝘂 𝗙𝗶𝗹m d'𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - June 9 to 15
- 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝘂 𝗟𝗮𝗰 𝗱'𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘆 - June 30
- 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 - August 30 to September 1
- 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗼𝗻 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝘁 𝗱'𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘆 - October 5 and 6
- 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀 - October 12
- 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗚𝗹𝗮 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 - January 2025
- 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗲́𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗻 - March 14 to 16, 2025
Services
The Lake Annecy Tourist Office welcomes you all year round in the heart of Annecy, facing the lake. Two other tourist information offices are open all year round in Veyrier-du-Lac (on the east side of the lake) and Saint-Jorioz (on the west side of the lake). A land of welcome for cyclists, Lake Annecy is home to a number of trendy bicycle cafés. It's the perfect opportunity to take a break in a 100% bike-friendly environment, get a bite to eat and find everything you need for your two-wheeler.
Cycling in Annecy is not just about bikes.
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Testimonials
"I'm really going to have to come back at carnival time 👌" (about Annecy's Venetian Carnival) - Jean-Yves Le Bail
"11 years ago we met this place so magnificent and magical with my spouse.... 10 years later he proposed to me on the Pont des Amours 🥹.
This is truly our favorite place. Everything is so beautiful and perfect. 😍" (about the Pont des Amours)Mily Mtr
"The magic always works in Annecy. I never tire of it. See you soon." (about the Lake Annecy destination)
Virginie Serra
"I'm coming today, even though I know, I love your town! It's so beautiful between the lake and the mountains. ♥️" (about destination Lake Annecy)
Sandra Verot
"I love this area so much, I can't get enough of looking at what you share. Thank you 👏🤗💕" (about the Lac Annecy destination)
Suzanne Tessier
"I'm coming next week, with my mountain bike 🚵♀️" (about cycling around Lake Annecy)
Philippe Darques
"One day I'll ride around the lake with my husband Greg! " (about cycling around Lake Annecy)
Betty Prudhomme
"The tour du Lac is a splendor and you get an eyeful every time. 🤩😍❤️" (about cycling around Lake Annecy)
Vero Jonquille
FAQ
* How deep is Lake Annecy?
The average depth of Lake Annecy is 41m. But there's one spot that goes down to a depth of 80m at the Gouffre du Boubioz, off La Puya.
* Which illustrious figure is entitled to his "Balustre d'Or" in Annecy's old town?
The writer and philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau. This monument marks the site of his first meeting with Madame de Warens.
* What is the name of the emblematic mountain overlooking Lake Annecy?
La Tournette towers 2,351m above Lake Annecy. Accessible for hiking in summer, it's an exceptional balcony overlooking the Alps.
* Can you cycle around Lake Annecy?
Thanks to the latest cycling facilities recently completed, cycling around Lake Annecy is now feasible. (www.sila.fr/notre-territoire/tour-du-lac-a-velo-et-a-pied/carte-interactive)
Access
SNCF train station and bus station : Annecy train station
Motorway access
- Marseille, Lyon or Chambéry: A41 exit ANNECY CENTRE n°16
- Paris, Geneva or Bourg-en-Bresse: A41 Liane, exit ANNECY NORD n°17
- Chamonix or Italy (via the Mont-Blanc tunnel) : A41 Liane, exit ANNECY NORD n°17
Road access
- Albertville or Bourg-en-Bresse: D1508
- Geneva or Chambéry: D1201
- Chamonix or Italy: D1203
Bus network: With Sibra (Société Intercommunale des Bus de la Région d'Annecy) all 34 communes in the destination are connected
Airport:
- Annecy Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc Airport (business aviation only)
- Geneva Airport
Videos
Contacts
☎ 04 50 45 00 33 www.lac-annecy.com
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