Cycling around Lake Annecy

If you would like to Cycling in France, If so, cycling around Lake Annecy is one of the most beautiful ways to rack up foreign kilometers. Robbert Flim takes you through the most beautiful places around this lake. A lake that speaks to the imagination. Who knows, you might even go to Lake Annecy this summer to cycle?

Text: Robbert Flim, photos: Adobe Stock and Robbert Flim

Cycling around Annecy at a glance

• Lake loop: around 45 kilometres, mostly on a separate cycle path (voie verte) on the west side.
• Climbs close to the lake: the Col de la Forclaz (with a view over the whole lake), Col de Leschaux, Col de Bluffy and the Semnoz.
• Within a day ride: the Col de la Colombière and the Col des Aravis from Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, on the Route des Grandes Alpes.
• Best time: May, June and September. In July and August the path around the lake is very busy.
• Where to stay: campsites on the west side of the lake, or hotels in Annecy and Talloires.

Updated in October 2026 with the key facts and practical tips. The story below is our original article.

Lake Annecy

There aren’t many places in the Netherlands where I’ve cycled as much as around Lake Annecy. ‘Coming home’ sounds very sentimental, but it’s definitely an environment I really enjoy. For me, this environment is the ideal place to cycle and you have everything you need in terms of cycling: flat terrain, hills, mountains, climbing, descending, beautiful views, paths where you don’t meet anyone and some collets of name. And even if you don’t feel like cycling for a while, there are plenty of things to do around the lake to keep you entertained: Visiting the old town of Annecy, strolling along the promenade along the lake, renting a boat, paragliding, canyoning and hiking through the surrounding mountains are just a few suggestions. 

Around the lake

The most famous route is of course the round trip around the lake. Personally, I always cycle around the lake against the clock: starting in Annecy and following the continuous cycling path towards Doussard, then turning back via Talloires to Annecy. On the west side of the lake, an old railway line has been replaced by a cycling path, a ‘green path’Previously, only this side of the lake had this bike path; nowadays, it is almost completely extended around the lake. The bike path around the lake is fairly flat, but in the summer it is extremely crowded with cyclists, hikers, runners, skaters, and anyone who can move around on two wheels. That means being extremely careful and always looking ahead. 

Better outside (in the summer)

Outside the summer months, however, you can really enjoy riding on this bike path from Annecy. This is also the reason why I prefer to ride first on the west side, so you’ll have had the busy part of the route first. Additionally, this option gives me the opportunity to turn left halfway through the route, once my legs are warmed up, to climb the Col de La Forclaz. 

A ride around the lake is well worth it. In all, it’s a 45-kilometer round trip, with a short climb on the east side near the village of Talloires, a single hairpin bend, and beautiful stretches right along the water. If desired, you can detour into Menthon-Saint-Bernard for a short stretch towards the Col de Bluffy. A three-kilometer climb along the ‘chateau’ before descending without braking (very fast!) to the main road towards Annecy. The closer you get to the city, the busier it gets. However, it’s fantastic to ride along the bike path at your own pace, with the lake on your left, while at the same time taking in the people, water sports enthusiasts, and the surrounding area of the lake. In the center, near the well-known pedestrian bridge, there’s a large park where you can stop for a moment.

If the road around the lake is too busy for you, you can just take a side road and in no time you’ll be on quiet mountain roads where there’s hardly any traffic. From the campsites on the west side you can also make the climb to Col de Leschaux. It’s not a particularly difficult climb, but with beautiful turns between the meadows, from village to village and a nice climb to prepare your legs for a name-worthy col nearby. 

Semnoz and Col de La Forclaz

During a cycling weekend in June, the Semnoz (also known as the Crête de Chatillon) is part of our ‘king’s route’. A route that starts over the bike path to Annecy and where you turn left after the old hospital to enter the road up to the top of the Semnoz. A climb that actually turned out to be quite unpleasant for me. In total, it is about 13 kilometers to ‘le sommet’ and it starts quite easily. However, from kilometer six the road continues to climb continuously at an average of around 8 to 9 percent, with you constantly cycling through the forest. The last three kilometers to the top are nothing but trees, asphalt, and a slightly unforgiving gradient. The final three kilometers to the top are cycled between meadows and some rocks. There is also a ski resort right below the top. Above the top is a great hotel/restaurant to recover from the climb and from where you have a beautiful view of the Lake of Annecy.

Beautiful views

After the beautiful and fast descent, where you can achieve high speeds on some very long straight stretches, you reach Col de Lesschaux, from where you can make the descent to the bike path around the lake. Via the flat bike path and the bike tunnel near Duingt, you then reach the south side of the lake at Doussard. Here you do not follow the curve of the lake, but cycle straight ahead a little to reach the roundabout towards Vesonne and Montmin. From that moment on, the focus shifts to the Col de la Forclaz. The top of this mountain can be seen from all over Lake Annecy. It is also the place where non-stop paragliders make their jump into the deep during the day. 

Logical route

The most common route up is to tackle the climb from Talloires. The ascent from Montmin is slightly shorter in distance, but on average it is considerably steeper. The first part goes through meadows. However, the climb is one where you don’t get into your rhythm very well because of the constantly fluctuating gradient. After a forest you see the town of Montmin above you. Fortunately, the summit is then in sight. After Montmin, your legs can rest for a moment because the road here ends. This is only for a short time, because as so often, the last stretches are the hardest. Fortunately, there is already the top of the Forclaz at that point. A summit like so many others: souvenir shops, restaurants, and the opportunity for outdoor sports. However, the view from the Forclaz is phenomenal: Beneath you is Lake Annecy and above you the paragliders who are jumping off the mountain in large numbers.

An added benefit is that you can then descend further and cycle through Annecy to enjoy a well-deserved break.  

Col de Esserieux and Col du Marais

To get back in the swing of things, I always take a ride around the lake in Annecy, down towards Faverges. It’s great to warm up the legs and enjoy the sunshine. In Faverges, I head towards Saint Ferréol. The following is a lovely climb that winds around a mountain and along a valley. From village to village, there’s no real steep climbing. At the sign for the ‘col du Marais’, you can take the Col de Aravis. I then head towards Thônes, where you can take a break. Right after Thônes, the least beautiful part of the route begins, along the main road towards the Alex. It’s busy with a narrow bike lane. Fortunately, it goes flat downhill. At the roundabout, turn left towards the col de Bluffy to finally get back to Annecy. This route is 70 kilometers with almost 1000 meters of elevation gain. 

Col de la Colombière and Col des Aravis

I don't know if Col de la Colombière It’s an undiscovered gem, but for me this is definitely one of the most beautiful climbs I’ve ever done. During my first stay in the Annecy area (I wasn’t really a cycling fan yet), I drove up the col in the car. That’s when I was already captivated by the beauty of climbing. When cycling started to become more serious for me, the Colombière quickly made it onto the bucket list. 

Starting from St Jean de Sixt

We start from St. Jean de Sixt. On the first roundabout there is an arrow pointing to the left: Col de la Colombière. Around Annecy you mainly have mountains with forests and rock walls. Here you drive quite quickly through Le Grand Bornand between meadows. You then have a phenomenal view of the valley combined with the hairpin bends, which makes you swing up through the meadows, over beautiful, car-free roads. The sound of cows bells in the distance makes you realize that you are cycling abroad. This side of the Colombière is what cycling in the mountains is meant for: You put in a lot of effort, but you can still enjoy it. With things like Ventoux and Galibier On my resume, this climb is one that comes out on top in terms of enjoyment! Not only is the climb itself recommended, the descent is also worth mentioning: Fast, clear, and with lovely asphalt. 

Back in St Jean: choices

Back in St. Jean de Sixt, I can do two things: Re-load the bike on the car and go back to the campsite, or continue along la Route des Grandes Alpes for a little while, taking in the Col des Aravis along the way. Of course, I didn’t have to think long about it. In terms of length and difficulty, it’s similar to the Colombière, only a little less beautiful (in my opinion) in terms of views. However, the asphalt is fine and the gradient is manageable. From St. Jean de Sixt, I first head towards the winter sports resort of La Clusaz, where I turn right and cycle under the cable car to the top of the Aravis. The greatest reward of the day comes when I reach the summit: A magnificent view of Mont Blanc. Beautiful.

Overnight stay around Lake Annecy

As for accommodation options, there is plenty of choice in this area. You can camp there comfortably in the summer. Most campsites are located on the west side of the lake, along the road from Annecy to Albertville. You can, for example, cycle to La Ferme de la Serraz. The site is available here EuroCampings You'll find a more complete selection. You'll also find plenty of other accommodations around the lake, including the posh Abbaye de Talloires is a good option. This one also has the label ‘Acceuil Velo’. Another hotel option is Les Tresomes, where you can also enjoy the excellent spa facilities.

Routes Cycling around Lake Annecy

Questions about cycling around Annecy

Which side of the lake should you ride first?

Anticlockwise from Annecy: that way you get the busy path on the west side done first and can turn off to the Col de la Forclaz halfway.

Is Annecy suitable for less experienced riders?

Yes. The lake loop is mostly flat and you can choose each day how much climbing you add.

Can you combine Annecy with bigger Alpine climbs?

Definitely. The Colombière and Aravis are an hour’s drive away, and along the Route des Grandes Alpes you can continue into the French Alps.

Read more about cycling in the French Alps on our destination page: French Alps.