Cycling around Lake Annecy: Tips, itineraries and activities

Now you've made up your mind. The tour of the lake, the Venice of the Alps, the treasures of Haute-Savoir are all yours! 🥳

Direction and its incredible lake. Located in the heart of France's beautiful Savoie region, Lac d'Annecy is an ideal destination for cycling enthusiasts 🚴🏻‍♀️.

With its breathtaking scenery, crystal-clear waters and charming picturesque villages, touring the lake offers an unforgettable experience for cyclists of all levels. Here's everything you need to know about this exceptional cycling loop.

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The start of this cycling tour is usually in the town of Annecy, renowned for its warm atmosphere and rich heritage. From here, you can follow the cycle path along the shores of the lake, offering breathtaking views of its sparkling waters and the majestic mountains of the Alps in the background.

The tour of Lake Annecy covers a distance of around 40 kilometers. Normally, therefore, it's a day trip for most cyclists.

That said, the route does have a certain gradient, especially when you reach the passes and surrounding mountains. The Col de la Forclaz and the Col de Montmin are two notable points on the tour, which require a certain amount of effort and therefore a good level of fitness... 💪 but offer breathtaking panoramas.

Yes, the famous "Oh whaouuuuuu". OH WHAAAAAA. 🥲😻

Forget squat. Go to Annecy instead. Nah, I'm just kidding, I was trying to scare you. The truth is, the Tour du Lac doesn't climb that much at all, but it's just as effective as a dripping workout, and what's more, you get to enjoy the scenery? Let's get back to business: the Tour du Lac climb represents 100 metres of ascent over 1.5 km, with an average gradient of 6.5%.

So, in reality, it's quite manageable, when you take breaks and plan for enough water 🔫.

Most of the route is cycleable and suitable for all levels of ability 🫶!

That said, a minimum level of fitness is recommended to fully appreciate the experience (and not end up flat on your couch AND therefore PERISH the rest of your vacation 😵‍💫).

But the great thing about the lake is that you just have to choose your formula (distance, itinerary) to find what you're looking for. Hardened sportsmen and women will find this tour a real sporty ride, while more casual cyclists can enjoy the circuit at their own pace, stopping regularly to admire the scenery and relax 👌.

Ain't life grand?

Leaving Annecy, you'll head along Annecy-le-Vieux to reach Chavoire.

Heading towards Talloires, you'll skirt the eastern shore of the lake, offering panoramic views of the turquoise waters and surrounding mountains. You'll also pass through picturesque woods and paths, adding a touch of wilderness to your journey.

The tour then takes you to Sevrier, a charming little town at the foot of the mountains, where you can enjoy the beach and lakeside leisure activities. Continuing on, you'll pass through Duingt, with its famous castle and medieval streets, and Menthon-Saint-Bernard, famous for its castle perched on a hill.

The high point of the route is the Col de la Forclaz, offering panoramic views of the Alps and the lake below. It's the ideal place to take a break and recharge your batteries before starting the descent to Annecy.

As the Tour du Lac is totally free, you can do it at any time you like, feel free.

That said, if you can be helpful, it's best to set off early in the morning to avoid the crowds and take full advantage of the tranquility of the area, especially in high season and particularly in summer, when it's very hot.

Bear in mind that this is a fairly popular circuit, so all along the way you'll need to be careful to respect other cyclists and keep an eye out for traffic, which can sometimes be dense along the route (there are pedestrians too!).

So, first of all, you should know that it's forbidden to criticize this lake. Simply because it's the purest in Europe, Cocorico, toussa toussa 🐓🇫🇷!

Eh oui! This is France, folks, and we've got wonders of scenery and nature, as everyone knows.

Anyway, I digress. Along the way, you'll have the chance to discover picturesque villages such as Veyrier-du-Lac, Angon and Saint-Jorioz, which add a cultural dimension to your trip 🤓.

You can also take advantage of the many harbors and beaches along the lake to refresh and relax. And for the more adventurous, you can even fly over the lake in a paraglider! 🦋

Sorry to be trivial, but let's get back to basics. The bike tour is all well and good, but you have to eat at some point.

Or, for the more epicurean (I don't feel I'm being singled out), you have to try all the specialities, even if you want to die on your bike afterwards.

Rest assured, there are a plethora of bars and restaurants around the lake, knowing of course that the local specialities are not the lightest in the world but so delicious: Raclette, tartiflette, crozets, fondue savoyarde, oulalala! 🧀

If you don't know where to go, Le petit futé has put together a nice little list over here. À taaaaaaaaaable 🍽 😋

Source : Grand Annecy

When there are none left, are there any left? Of course there are! If you've done it by bike, you'll be able to cycle around the lake. In fact, there's a walking trail created by the Tourist Office and the Syndicat intercommunal du lac d'Annecy (SILA) in 2013.

It's a 43-kilometer long route that follows the lake as close as possible to the shore, to enjoy its superb and varied landscapes: lake and mountains, fields and marshes, nature reserves, urban landscapes and landscaped parks.

The route is long, but fairly straightforward, being almost flat all the way, except for the stretch from Talloires to Veyrier. There is a slight climb at Roc de Chère:

• 10km are suitable for people with reduced mobility
• 12km are on footpaths
• 30km are on tarmac roads.

In general, the tour can be done over a long day (9-10h), but you can also do it in several stages, or choose to take the boat on certain sections.

1. Departure from Annecy: Start your tour from the center of Annecy, heading north along the shores of the lake.
2. Annecy-le-Vieux to Menthon-Saint-Bernard: Follow the cycle path and footpaths along the eastern shore of the lake. Pass through the charming commune of Annecy-le-Vieux and continue to Menthon-Saint-Bernard.
3. Menthon-Saint-Bernard to Talloires: Continue south through the bay of Talloires. Enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
4. Talloires to Doussard: Continue towards Doussard, following the well-marked footpaths. You'll pass picturesque villages and relaxing beaches.
5. Doussard to Duingt: From Doussard, follow the western shore of the lake to Duingt. You'll pass through lush forests and admire the lake's turquoise waters.
6. Duingt to Annecy: Finish your tour by returning to Annecy from Duingt. Follow the cycle path along the western shore until you reach the starting point.

Please note that the exact route may vary according to the paths and tracks available. Be sure to consult the maps in advance of your outing, follow local directions and ask the Annecy tourist office for advice, for the best and safest experience.

To conclude

In conclusion, cycling around Lake Annecy is an IMMANQUABLE experience, I repeat, i repeat, lo repeto (is that how you say it? 🤣 ), in short, IMMANQUABLE, for all lovers of nature, mountains and cycling.

Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or an occasional amateur, this loop will offer you breathtaking scenery, total immersion in the beauty of the Alps and an opportunity to discover the Savoie region in all its splendor. So get on your bike and set off to discover this French jewel 🤗