Thonon-les-Bains / Annemasse
The adventure begins in Haute-Savoie, on the town hall square in Thonon-les-Bains. More precisely, from the km 0 sign on the Route des Grandes Alpes®, the starting point for all major Alpine crossings (hiking, cycling, mountain biking). You then leave the shores of Lake Geneva and head out of town towards the Col du Feu (1120 m), the first obstacle on the route. Up to the pass, the route is shared with the Route des Grandes Alpes® Gravel. The ascent of the Col du Feu, where the Tour de France 2023 passed through, is fairly short but rather tough. Including the final section on the road, where you'll find a 10% gradient. Beautiful panoramic views of Lake Geneva and the Chablais massif at the summit. From the pass, pleasant paths wind through a green, perched valley to the Col des Moïses aerodrome (1121 m), reserved for gliders. The Menoge, which you'll be following, rises in nearby marshland. At first, you drive a little away from its right bank on a forest track. After passing Habère-Poche, you rejoin the stream at Habère-Lullin. The trail is well laid out and very pleasant. There are many changes of direction which slow down progress. Those in a hurry can take the road. The banks of the Menoge lead to Boëge, then Bonne. At the crossroads with the D1205, you're very close to Vétraz-Monthoux and the Annemasse conurbation, where you'll find accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets. To continue towards the Salève, pass under the freeway at Arthaz-Pont-Notre-Dame.
Gradients and elevation
Répartition des pentes
Road types
Surface
Don't miss
- Thonon-les-Bains: the Château de Ripaille, the Petit Port, the Visitation cultural center, the Musée du Chablais, the Basilica of Saint-François-de-Sale.... more info on this Grand départ here (CDC link)
- The kilometer 0 stele: in front of the town hall and next to the Thonon-les-Bains tourist office. It is the starting point for major Alpine itineraries: Route des Grandes Alpes® (cycling), Chemins du Soleil (mountain biking), Petites Routes du Soleil® (cycling), Grande Traversée des Alpes par le GR5 (hiking). Thonon-les-Bains is also the second stop on the ViaRhôna, which links Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean.
- UNESCO Geopark Chablais: a worldwide label, which distinguishes an exceptional geological, cultural and human heritage.
