The Greater Annecy area has just over two hundred thousand inhabitants and is visited by more than two million tourists each year. To facilitate daily mobility, the area has long relied on cycling. The bike network now has 132 km of permanent paths, including the famous bike path around Lake Annecy, and aims to expand to 220 km by 2030.
Cycling Around Lake Annecy
Among these kilometers, there is a greenway that partially allows for a tour around the famous Lake Annecy.
Partially, simply because it is developed on the west bank, while the east bank is traversed via a succession of bike paths either shared or separated from the roadway.
Nevertheless, as of the time of writing, 85% of the lake tour can be safely completed by bike.
The bike path totals 40 km and does not require great athletic abilities.
On this greenway, there is only one challenging section in Talloires. If you cycle clockwise, the hill will be manageable. However, counterclockwise (Sévrier, Doussard, Talloires), the climb will demand a significant effort with some sections exceeding a 10% incline, but fortunately, it is very short.
A Greenway designed for cyclists around Lake Annecy
Along the greenway, you can easily refuel at drinking water stations, as well as at cyclist-friendly cafes that are especially plentiful on the west bank.
In case of mechanical issues, you can find repair stations equipped with basic tools and air pumps. It is also possible to leave the greenway to find a bike shop in the towns along the route.
What Distance and Duration to cycle around Lake Annecy?
At its shortest, the bike path around the lake is 38 kilometers. The detour through St. Jorioz adds only 2 km. This route includes approximately 250 meters of elevation gain. You can complete it in 1.5 hours if you are an experienced cyclist, 2 hours if you are an occasional rider, and up to 3 hours if you are on a leisurely ride with children.
The Different Segments of the Bike Path
West Bank
– Annecy – Sévrier: 5 km
– Annecy – Saint-Jorioz: 9 km
– Annecy – Duingt: 12 km
– Annecy – Doussard (West Bank): 18 km
East Bank
– Annecy – Veyrier-du-Lac: 6 km
– Annecy – Menthon-Saint-Bernard: 9 km
– Annecy – Talloires: 12.5 km
– Annecy – Doussard (East Bank): 18.5 km
Note
Both routes are fully paved. Don’t be misled by the video title; the Tour of Lake Annecy is indeed a road cycling route. If you want to venture off the paths, check out our gravel itinerary in Annecy.
Gravel Bike Rental in Annecy
Renting an Origine Graxx Gravel bike at Onze 42 gives you the opportunity to test a high-end carbon bike before purchasing it.
As part of this partnership, Origine offers you the first day of rental for €65 at Onze 42.
Itinerary
- 🗺️ Distance: 40 km
- ⛰️ Elevation Gain: 250 m D+
- ⏱️ Time: 1h40
- 📍 Starting Point: Annecy, France
- 🏁 Ending Point: Annecy, France
This Lake Tour is Fully Signposted, But If You Prefer Following a GPS Route, Here Are Two Versions:
– The first route is the tour via the bike path as presented in the video: https://www.strava.com/routes/2947160468931190546
– The second route is a bit more challenging. It also circles the lake but takes you a bit higher and away from the shore. The difficulty remains moderate, but the views are even more spectacular: https://www.strava.com/routes/2947162726027027604
If you wish to climb some cols around Annecy, you can take a detour via the small Col de Bluffy to the east, the challenging Col de la Forclaz to the south, and the relatively easy-going Col de Leschaux to the west.
Récit par : Arno Dubois
Vidéo : Gravel Bike des Savoie
