The Greenway Around the Lake of Aix-les-Bains by Bike

The Lake Tour by the Numbers

Here are the key figures for cycling around Lake Bourget:

• Distance: 50 kilometers (31 miles) to complete the loop.
• Elevation Gain: Approximately 700 meters (2,300 feet) of positive elevation, making it a mountainous route.
• Time Estimates:
  – Leisurely ride: About 3 hours 30 minutes
  – Moderate pace: About 2hours 45 minutes
  – Competitive pace (trained cyclists): Around 2 hours 15 minutes

Enjoy cycling around Lake Bourget starting from Aix-les-Bains!

Retranscription de la vidéo :

« We’re starting the loop around Lake Bourget in Aix-les-Bains. The route begins with a beautiful paved path surrounded by boats, the lake, and mountains. It’s already a delight, passing by the port of Aix-les-Bains, straddling the neighboring commune of Brison-Saint-Innocent.

This is different from a tour around Lake Annecy because here, we have a large shared space, particularly for bikes, with a separate area for pedestrians on the side.

To your left, you’ll see the mountains, including Le Revard, which leads to the Féclaz Plateau. Behind that is the Bauges Natural Park.

The lake tour is well-marked. Simply follow the signs and stay close to the lake. We ride a bit on gravel before passing by Aqualac. The cycling infrastructure at the start of this route is excellent, even though it feels a bit like a maze. If you manage to find all the turns at the end of the dead ends, great! For us, it took a bit of searching.

Leaving Aix-les-Bains towards Chambéry, there are two options: either stay close to the lake, but note that this isn’t a dedicated bike path. It’s just a paved strip shared with pedestrians, strollers, rollerbladers, runners, etc. Alternatively, on your left, you can ride on the road with a dedicated bike lane. In summer, when it’s crowded, it’s better to take the upper route. There are a couple of roundabouts, but you can ride safely alongside cars.

At the end of the lake, there’s a fork: one path heads towards Chambéry, and the other continues around the lake. Take the latter to stay on the lake tour. You’ll ride alongside the airport, always separated from the main road. Ahead, you’ll see the Dent du Chat massif.

Here, we turned right to head up the west shore. You’ll notice that you’re now following the European cycle route number 63.

The Climb to Col du Chat

Lake Bourget is much larger than its neighbor, Lake Annecy. Unlike its counterpart, you cannot complete the entire tour along the water’s edge. On the side opposite Aix-les-Bains, you’ll need to climb a bit into the mountains.

You’ll ascend a significant portion of the Col du Chat. If you’re a seasoned cyclist, the climb is manageable. It’s a 5-kilometer ascent with an average gradient of around 7%.

At the start of the climb, you’ll reach a large roundabout with heavy traffic, especially during holidays. Coming from below, do not take the immediate right, as that leads into the Montagne du Chat tunnel. Instead, head straight toward Ontex and the Col du Chat to continue the lake tour toward the Abbaye de Hautecombe.

During the climb, you can stop at various viewpoints to enjoy the stunning scenery and catch your breath.

The route doesn’t take you all the way to the Col du Chat summit. However, if you want a photo at the summit sign, you can continue straight. For the lake tour, make sure to take the right turn before the summit to proceed toward Abbaye de Hautecombe.

The Ridge and Ontex Belvedere

At the top, there’s a ridge road stretching for several kilometers. It’s a rollercoaster of small climbs and descents leading to the Ontex Belvedere.

From this viewpoint, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Lake Aix-les-Bains. The Abbaye d’Hautecombe sits just below on the lakeshore. The terrace here is a perfect spot to refresh and regain energy for the remainder of the circuit.

After the Ontex Belvedere, a long descent with a few hairpin turns awaits, taking you back down to the water level at Conjux. The hardest part of the route is now behind you.

Return to Chambotte and Aix-les-Bains

At the northern end of the lake, you’ll cross a bridge over the Canal de Savières. Continue straight toward Sapenay, passing through the entrance to Chindrieux. At the foot of the mountains and the Col de la Chambotte, take a right turn to rejoin the lakeshore.

From here, you’ll ride along the departmental road, staying close to the water, with breathtaking views of the Dent du Chat. You’ll pass by a few beaches before reaching the center of Aix-les-Bains, via Brison-Saint-Innocent. This completes the 50-kilometer loop, finishing the Tour of Lake Bourget by bike.

It’s a spectacular ride that I highly recommend to everyone.

The Itinerary

Map of the Lake Bourget Cycling Path

By : Arno Dubois

Video : Gravel Bike des Savoie