Col du Semnoz

Semnoz rises directly above Annecy and feels like the city’s defining climb. It is most certainly the most popular climb for people living in the city. A spin up the Semnoz and a return via the lake makes for a perfect ride.

After rolling out through the lower suburbs, the road quickly settles into a long and uninterrupted ascent beneath dense forest cover. The gradients stay consistently demanding without becoming excessively steep, which makes pacing important over the full length of the climb.

The lower parts of the climb are still covered by forest but higher up, the trees begin to thin and the views open dramatically across Lake Annecy and the surrounding Alps.