© Tristan Shu
© Tristan-Shu-Annecy-Mountains
After conquering the Col de la Colombière at Le Grand-Bornand, the main Route des Grandes Alpes® (RGA®) route passes over the Col des Aravis at La Clusaz, revealing breathtaking views of Mont Blanc. These two stages on the north-south route (which can also be cycled south to north) of the RGA® reveal all the charm of the Annecy Mountains region: villages of traditional chalets, mountain pastures ringing with the sound of cowbells and spectacular alpine landscapes. You won’t fail but be inspired to discover and explore more!
© Tristan Shu 
© Tristan Shu You don’t need to venture far off the official Routes des Grandes Alpes® before you find other famous passes like the Col de la Croix-Fry, which has featured on the Tour de France route on many occasions, hidden but no less challenging passes like the Col de Plan Bois and Col de l’Arpettaz, classified ‘hors catégorie’ (beyond categorisation), and picturesque passes like the Col de l’Épine and Col du Marais. There’s no doubt about it: Annecy Mountains has cycling routes and passes suitable for all levels of ability!
The official alternative RGA® route takes two days to cycle, with an overnight stay in Lescheraines. Departing from Le Grand-Bornand, you’ll head for Lake Annecy via the peaceful, unspoilt landscapes of the Col du Marais pass and Val Sulens alpine meadows. At Faverges-Seythenex, you’ll join the greenway along the lake, before climbing back up to Lescheraines via the Col de Leschaux, admiring the turquoise waters of the lake from the road. The next day, you’ll leave Lescheraines and head for Beaufort-sur-Doron, crossing the Bauges mountains with its Geopark.
Another alternative route will take you to Lake Annecy via the Col de Bluffy pass. You can then cycle round the lake in either direction. After an overnight stay in Annecy, you’ll commence your ascent up the Semnoz, a highly challenging mountain pass, to Lescheraines and continue your trip along the Route des Grandes Alpes®.
The perfect choice for a getaway with family or friends that combines cycling (on a regular or e-mountain bike) with discovering and exploring the local heritage. More than 1,580 km of roads are signposted for cyclists, and more than thirty routes criss-cross the destination Annecy Mountains. More ardent cyclists will relish tackling the Col de la Forclaz pass, with its sweeping views of Lake Annecy, or the Col des Glières, where they will stumble upon an intriguing site steeped in history. Other, less experienced cyclists may prefer to start their tour of Lake Annecy on the quiet little back roads, visiting villages and nature reserves and enjoying a refreshing swim.
A cycling holiday in Annecy Mountains therefore offers the best of both worlds: beautiful cycling trails with routes for all abilities and a wide range of leisure activities and tourist attractions: swimming, culture, history, architecture, agricultural and pastoral traditions, natural sites, local arts and crafts, regional cuisine and much more!
