© Tristan Shu_Annecy Mountains
This beautiful, yet demanding route takes you through Romme and Le Reposoir along quiet little back roads with breathtaking views and on to the Col de la Colombière mountain pass via the main RGA® route. On your descent from the pass, turn off towards Lac du Maroly lake and head for the village of Le Grand-Bornand via wild tracks and back roads. Why not take a detour via the Col des Annes, to sample the famous potato fritters!
© Olivier Bonin - ypmedias 
© Olivier Bonin - ypmedias Climb up the Bouchet valley and continue your ride along tracks through mountain forests, before arriving at Lac des Confins, a magnificent lake at the foot of the Aravis mountains. Next descend to La Clusaz to rejoin the main RGA® route and climb the Col des Aravis, affording spectacular views of Mont Blanc. From the pass, turn off onto the famous Route de la Soif trail and head in the direction of Flumet. This route is the perfect gravel combo: wild tracks and quiet little back roads, a legendary pass and exceptional views!
From Thônes or Faverges-Seythenex, head towards the Col de l’Arpettaz, in the heart of the mountains, to explore another section of the legendary Route de la Soif, an alpine path with sweeping views of Mont Blanc and that leads to the Col des Aravis. This beautiful alpine loop route also takes in the Col de la Croix-Fry, another major pass on the Tour de France route, and the Col du Marais. It is one of the most beautiful gravel trails in the Northern Alps.
From Thônes or Faverges-Seythenex, set off on the gravel trail to the Tour de la Tournette, an iconic peak with views over Lake Annecy. This loop route takes you over mountain passes and along roads and trails off the beaten track, through an array of mountain landscapes, punctuated by magnificent views.
The Combe d’Ire gravel trail is another route that starts from Annecy or Faverges-Seythenex. Ride through the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional des Bauges nature reserve, through forests and mountain pastures, with views of the highest peaks of the Bauges. Escape from it all in the solitary heart of nature, with a quick dip in Lake Annecy to cool off when you arrive!
This gravel loop route starts from Annecy, Thônes or Saint-Jean-de-Sixt and takes you on a journey of discovery to a former stronghold of the French Resistance. And the picturesque gravel section that crosses the Glières’s mountain pastures is well worth the effort! The Col des Glières pass, classified ‘hors catégorie’ (beyond categorisation), is one of the most challenging ascents in the region.
