Annecy cycling routes and itineraries

The different routes to do on a classic bike, fitness bike, gravel/road bike or e-bike around Annecy

In Annecy, you’ll never run out of ideas when it comes to riding! There are plenty of cycling routes.

We’ve selected a few, classified by difficulty level. Whether you’re more into a relaxed ride on an e-bike, a sporty outing on a mountain bike, or a big loop with elevation gain on a road bike, the goal is the same: enjoy yourself and choose a route suited to your level.
For info, the famous loop around Lake Annecy is about 40 km with 250 m of elevation gain.

The itineraries are ranked from the most accessible to the most demanding:

• Easy
• Intermediate
• Advanced
• Expert

To help you find your way easily, each level is associated with a colour code and difficulty level : green (easy), blue (intermediate), red (advanced) and black (expert).

Click on the route that appeals to you to access the route details: handy for planning your ride in two minutes.

Difficulty: easy

Ideal for a relaxed bike ride!
For an outing accessible to everyone, head for the Lake Annecy Greenway: a pleasant cycle path that runs along the lake and crosses several towns. It’s the perfect route to enjoy the scenery in a laid-back mode, whatever your bike (hybrid, e-bike, kids’ bike, etc.).
The route starts in Annecy and reaches Ugine, passing in particular by Duingt Castle, a very popular spot. The ride is fully paved and has around 50 m of elevation gain over 35 km.

Difficulty: intermediate

A cycling route that’s a little longer, a little more upbeat!
If you want to ride for longer (while keeping an accessible level), here are several ideas:

• Lake Annecy loop: one of the must-dos. Depending on your pace, allow 2 h (sporty version) to 4 h (leisure version). It combines sections of cycle path and road, with a bit of elevation gain.
• Gorges du Fier loop: a loop starting from Annecy, with a different return than the outbound leg, which lets you discover the gorges and beautiful valley landscapes.
• Mont Veyrier loop: a loop on the south-east side of Annecy, with several magnificent viewpoints over the lake.
• Annecy – Lake Aix-les-Bains: a route that links two lakes (Annecy and Le Bourget), passing through several villages, for a longer and more varied ride.

Difficulty: advanced

Here we move on to more “sporty” itineraries, with real climbs, descents and panoramas that are worth the effort:

• Leschaux route: a loop from Lake Annecy to the village of Leschaux, via the Col de Leschaux, before descending back to the lake.
• Tour de la Tournette: a route that lets you discover Annecy’s unmissable massif (La Tournette) and the surrounding villages, for a true immersion in nature.
• Semnoz loop: more demanding, this route loops around the Semnoz massif, with more elevation gain and a mountain atmosphere, very close to the Bauges massif.

Difficulty: expert

Big elevation gain, big loops, great altitudes
These routes are best reserved for experienced cyclists: long distances, altitude, and climbs that sting (but the view is the reward!).

• Croix Fry route: starting from Annecy, via the Col de la Croix Fry and La Clusaz, then back towards the south of the lake with a stop by Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle.
• Aravis crossing: steep slopes, descents and exceptional panoramas, via the Col des Aravis and a detour through La Clusaz, before heading back towards the lake.
• Semnoz crossing : shorter in distance than the other two, but often tougher in elevation gain, with an incredible panoramic view over Annecy from Semnoz.

the link: https://hautesavoiemontblanc-tourisme.com/nos-experiences/hautement-cyclo/version-itineraires-remarquables/