Tristan Shu

Tristan Shu

David Machet

Manigod

A naturally preserved village resort

Massif des Aravis
Département et Région : Haute-Savoie and Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (AURA)
Principal passes: Col de la Croix-Fry
Étape sur Route des Grandes Alpes® : Le Grand-Bornand / Beaufort-sur-Doron and variant Le Grand-Bornand / Lescheraines
Étape sur Route des Grandes Alpes® gravel : Le Grand-Bornand / Flumet

Summary

Suggestions for cycling loops
Our major mountain passes
Events around cycling
Le Grand-Boucle href="#velo">Bicycling around Manigod
Summer in Manigod
Other seasons
Other events
Services
Témoignages
FAQ
Access
Contacts
Other villages and resorts near Manigod

Suggestions for cycling loops around Manigod

Our grands cols

Manigod is a paradise for cyclists who like to challenge themselves. After six passages of the Tour de France, come and ride in the footsteps of the best cyclists on the slopes of the mythical Col de la Croix Fry, 11.700km long and with a vertical drop of 842m. Defy the stopwatches, or take your time, here's a good challenge on this pass that winds between chalets and pastures in a manicured environment with strong agriculture.
It breaks down into 3 parts:
- From Thônes up to the village where the gradient is gentle to moderate, quite rolling.
- Above the village and for 3km this is the hardest part with a gradient at its maximum of 9.3%
- The last 3 kilometers with a gradient that aims to be gentler between 6 and 8%

Cycling events in Manigod

X-Fry Downhill Cup - AURA DH Cup # : 24-25 /05 / 2025

Tilby-Vattard

Cycling in Manigod

Road cycling
Manigod has one main pass, the Col de la Croix Fry and also benefits from the Col de Plan Bois, straddling the communes of Thônes and Manigod. The Col de la Croix Fry allows you to switch to the Col des Aravis. It's the ideal place to enjoy the view and the surroundings, but also to meet the local merchants (restaurants, sports stores, tourist office, accommodation at the summit). The Tour de France has passed through Manigod 6 times, not counting the Critérium du Dauphiné.

Mountain biking
Manigod, a member of Team Mavic Manigod for 5 years now, has 84 km of marked mountain bike trails with 8 courses for all levels. The resort offers 4 marked family downhill mountain bike trails for all levels, with views worthy of the most beautiful postcards. You can reach the summits effortlessly thanks to the ski lifts!

@Clément Hudry

Summer in Manigod

An exceptional territory in the heart of the Aravis massif, between 950 and 1500 m, Manigod's unique setting, between lake and snow-capped peaks, with breathtaking scenery, is ideal for practicing many outdoor activities.

Hiking: magnificent trails in the heart of the pastures.
Mountain biking: 84km of marked trails, 4 family-friendly downhill routes.
Yoga: group or private classes, outdoors or at home, with Cathy or Michael who will find the practice that suits you best: Hatha, Vinyasa, Kundalini, Yin yoga & gong bath. Try rando yoga!
Fishing
Road biking: it's a no-brainer!
Trailing: Manigod "village trail" offers 3 marked courses: 8km, 10 km and 20 km. Climbing enthusiasts can take on the Kilomètre Vertical de Merdassier (2.9 km, 1000m positive vertical drop) at their leisure. In winter, there's a marked 8km snow trail.
Climbing: Nant Gothier cliff and its 14 routes of up to 50 m, from 4c to 6c, in the hamlet of Comburce, just 20 minutes from the village of Manigod.

Coming winter

Skiing! Related to the La Clusaz ski area, enjoy 125 km of pistes. The first 100 on opening day will have breakfast offered by the Tourist Office. Opening mid-December.

Largest night skiing area in Savoie Mont Blanc, enjoy the "Nocturnes by Manigod" with family, friends or afterwork, with 8 lit runs and 4 lifts.

SNordic skiing: the Beauregard Nordic ski area, allows you to discover this activity, with its 31.7 km, 8 runs and breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and the Aravis range.

Touring skiing! 3 marked itineraries.

Snowshoeing: 8 marked itineraries for all levels are on offer to get away alone or with others.
Do you know the paret? It was once used by children to get to school. The Tourist Office offers introductory courses and equipment on loan. Once trained, come and take part in the paret championship throughout the winter and challenge competitors reaching 90 km/h!
The last flagship winter activity, the dog sled: seated in the sled, let yourself be guided by the musher!

Other events

Ultimate man Manigod : 4 & 5 May
Fête nationale: July 14
Trail de l'aigle: August 21
La fête sous l'aiguille: August 11
Merveilleusement merdassier: September 22
Manigod trail challenge: October 7 & 8

Services

Tourist office and tourist information point in high season, 1 mini-market in the village "Saveurs et Terroir" and a "Sherpa" in the resort at the Col de Merdassier, free shuttles with bike doors, 17 restaurants, apartment and chalet rentals through our availability center on our website manigod.com, 2 real estate agencies, 4 hotels, 1 refuge, 1 lodge, 2 B&Bs, 1 vacation center and 1 tourist residence.., electric car recharging terminals in the village of Manigod, a repair kit with electric socket, pump, bike racks and guides are available at the Tourist Office.

The map

3 Cluses / Le Grand-Bornand

30 km

1 h 56 min

Difficult

On the menu on this stage is a climb worthy of a Tour de France… of which there are very many along the Route des Grandes Alpes®! Here, you tackle the Col de la Colombière pass. That’s not all, as the stage offers up several Haute-Savoie surprises: the resort of Le Grand-Bornand; the Chartreuse du Reposoir (an historic religious establishment); the Bargy Range; the Aravis Range; and the villages of Le Reposoir and Romme, perched on their natural balconies. If not in a rush, from Le Grand-Bornand village, ride to the end of the Bouchet Valley for a detour you won’t regret!

4 Le Grand-Bornand / Beaufort-sur-Doron

57 km

3 h 48 min

Difficult

This Route des Grandes Alpes® stage between Le Grand-Bornand and Beaufort-sur-Doron passes via La Clusaz, Val d’Arly’s four mountain resorts and that of Les Saisies, plus the village of Hauteluce. You cross between the counties of Haute-Savoie and Savoie. Expect breathtaking views of Mont Blanc, typical mountain villages, plus, in summer, Alpine meadows in flower, ingredients for an unforgettable day’s cycling. It’s made all the better for having two passes to conquer: the Col des Aravis, part of the border between Savoie and Haute Savoie, and the Col des Saisies, gateway to the Beaufortain Range.
NB: Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, a village equidistant between Le Grand-Bornand and La Clusaz, is the starting point for an alternative section, involving two stages, taking you via Annecy Lake.

5 Alternative section Le Grand-Bornand / Lescheraines

74 km

3 h 46 min

Difficult

The " Lake Annecy " variant of the Route des Grandes Alpes® ! We propose you a new itinerary, by the Marais pass, the Val Sulens, Faverges, the green way of the Tour du Lac d'Annecy and its cycle track, until Saint-Jorioz and the ascent of the Leschaux pass. But, you can also embellish the day, by making the loop of the pass of Plan Bois (1299 m), from Thônes. Or, by going to the Semnoz (1670 m), from the col de Leschaux. You can also choose another itinerary towards the lake, by the pass of Bluffy (630 m) and the castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard, one of the architectural jewels of Haute-Savoie.

gravel manigod

Testimonials

FAQ

What is the emblematic cheese of Manigod?
The Manigodine of course!!
How many farms are there in the commune of Manigod?
Precisely 19
At what altitude is the Col de la Croix Fry?
1477 m.

Access

Road access :

The Aravis massif is located 30 minutes from Annecy and its TGV station, as well as 1 hour from Geneva and its international airport.
In winter, the roads are well cleared of snow, but you'll need to bring special equipment, snow tires or snow chains when the snow falls.
Access via the A 0 named Autoroute Blanche, take exit N° 16 Bonneville, then direction La Clusaz, Stations des Aravis 20 km away
Access via the A 41, which links Grenoble to Geneva, take the Annecy Nord N°17 exit, then head in the direction of Thônes, Stations des Aravis 30 km away

Driving time:

From Annecy 30 min
From Chambery 1h
From Grenoble 1h30
From Geneva 1h30
From Lyon 2h10

Taxis
Taxi n°1 Manigod - 06 75 04 83 40

By train
More and more people are embracing soft mobility. Coming on vacation to Manigod by train is now possible! A relevant alternative to reduce the overall impact of our travels thanks to Annecy SNCF Station located 30 km from Manigod.

Don't feel like driving? Don't wait any longer and book your tickets online: www.sncf.com >>> or book by phone on 08 92 35 35 35

Once you've arrived, just find the daily bus link to get to Manigod. Regular service Annecy Gare / Thônes.
Secure online booking and payment on www.altibus.com or at 0 820 320 368.

By bus
The Thônes - Merdassier shuttle is FREE and open to all.
The CCVT, the Aravis resorts and the AURA Region are joining forces to offer you free access to all buses!
Note that the shuttle takes bicycles.
To come to or go to Annecy take the 62-63 paying line: detail here

Airports

Annecy airport is 30 km from Manigod
General information: +33 (0) 4 50 27 30 06
Air France flight information: Tel. + 33 (0) 820 820 820
www.annecy.aeroport.fr
--> Bus link airport / Annecy bus station
Lyon Saint Exupéry airport is 150 km from Manigod
Flight info: Tel. + 33 (0) 826 800 826
www.lyon.aeroport.fr
--> TGV connection Lyon St Exupéry / Annecy
SNCF on 36 35
Geneva International Airport is 50 km from Manigod
Flight information: Tel. +41 900 57 15 00
General information: Tel. +41 717 71 11
www.gva.ch/en