Discover the surroundings of the beautiful city of Annecy by bike. For a sporty holiday, take your two wheels and enjoy the exceptional setting of the Alps. These routes are located in Haute-Savoie, they pass through the town, along the shores of Lake Annecy and through the forests of the mountains. Depending on your level of cycling or mountain biking, you choose a bike ride and off you go!
1. Climbing the Semnoz
| Duration: 2 hoursDistance: 17.5 kmDifficulty: highLevel: 1,300 mDeparture: Car park of the Annecy town hall |
A beautiful climb ranked in the top 10 of the Défis des cyclogrimpeurs! A good training session is necessary on easier passes before you start. More than 17 km at 7% on average and a few km at 9%. From Annecy town hall you follow the Boulevard de la Corniche and then take the Departmental road 41 without interruption. You can breathe on the flat after the fifth kilometre. Almost the entire ascent is in the forest, so the coolness is guaranteed.
The great reward of this route is the magnificent panoramic view at the finish: this 1,699-metre summit of the Semnoz allows you to see the Mont-Blanc massif, the Aravis, the Bauges and the Chartreuse.
2. The Mont Veyrier tour
| Duration: 2 h 30Distance: 25 kmDifficulty: averageLevel: 240 mDeparture: Parking du Petit Port d’Annecy-le-Vieux |
You will discover one of the most beautiful fairy tale castles in France, the castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard. This bike or mountain bike ride is accessible to many riders, with a good physical condition. Starting from the Petit Port, you follow the direction of Alex’s cycle path with a long straight line. You can stop to enjoy the river Fier on your left. Then you have to climb the Col de Bluffy to see the famous castle. The return journey is along the Lake Annecy cycle path through Veyrier-du-Lac along the shoreline.
3. The Tournette tour
| Distance: 60 kmDifficulty: mediumLevel: 450 mStart: Parking du Petit Port d’Annecy-le-Vieux |
This is a beautiful loop that is proposed: 62 km to ride around this mountain near Annecy. It is suitable for intermediate to advanced cyclists. As for the previous route, you follow the direction of Alex behind the Mont Veyrier, then the Col du Marais and the village of Saint-Ferréol. On the way back to the plain of Lake Annecy, you can stop for lunch in Faverges. The return journey is along the shores of Lake Annecy via Duingt, Saint-Jorioz and Sévrier.
4. The Fier loop
| Distance: 60 kmDifficulty: easyDifference in altitude: 330 mDeparture: Parking Bonlieu |
To discover the Annecy countryside and the river Fier, this easy mountain bike route is suitable for the whole family. Leaving Annecy, you follow Cran-Gevrier to reach the village of Chavanod by the route des Creuses. When you arrive in Rumilly you can have a swim at the lake. Then you continue on the departmental road 31 to the beautiful Saint André bridge, and then you return to Annecy along the Fier river, passing through beautiful villages such as Vallière-Fier.
5. The Age mountain route
| Distance: 32 kmDifficulty: easyDifference in height: 80 mStart: Parking Bonlieu |
This small mountain to the west of Annecy is a nice playground to finish this guide of the 5 routes to do by bike near Annecy. Leaving Annecy, follow Cran-Gevrier again, then the Brasilly viaduct, continuing on the RD 1508, you will reach Epagny then Sillingy. Passing near the waterholes you return to Annecy on the RD 14. You can visit the beautiful Château de Montrottier on your left.
Choose the route you like best for cycling or mountain biking in Annecy and off you go! If you are on holiday, you can rent a bike or mountain bike to do these excursions.
