The Best Road Cycling Routes in Annecy

The route heads south from Annecy before turning inland toward the quieter roads beneath the southern Aravis mountains. Col du Marais forms the main climb of the day, rising steadily through forest and open hillside roads without ever becoming really steep. The summit opens toward wider valley views before a fast descent leads into rolling roads and longer valley sections on the return toward the lake.

This route leaves the lake behind quickly, trading the busier shoreline roads for the quieter rhythm of the Bauges massif. Col de Leschaux works as a steady opening climb before the roads roll toward Col du Frêne and Col de Tamié. None of the climbs feel especially hard on their own, but the combination creates a long day where the elevation builds gradually. The roads stay mostly quiet throughout, giving the route a smooth rhythm that suits longer steady riding across the massif.

This is one of the bigger mountain routes around Annecy, linking the long climb toward Col des Aravis with the far more irregular and demanding ascent of Col de l'Arpettaz. The route initially follows the lake before you head into the open landscape of the valleys around La Clusaz and Flumet. The Aravis brings a steady rhythm and bigger mountain scenery, while Arpettaz feels much rougher and quieter once the road narrows and the famous hairpins begin stacking across the hillside. The contrast between both climbs gives the ride its character, mixing smoother high mountain roads with a more isolated and old fashioned alpine feel.

This route combines two very different climbs into one of the classic loops around Lake Annecy. Semnoz shapes the first half of the ride with its long forested ascent above the western side of the lake before descending back toward the shoreline. The route then crosses to the eastern side of the lake and takes you to Col de la Forclaz above Talloires. Here the road becomes steeper and the views over the lake open repeatedly through the trees. Together, both climbs create a balanced day of sustained climbing and some of the best scenery around Annecy.

Starting from Talloires, the ride quickly builds into one of the most complete mountain days around Annecy, linking three very different climbs. Col de la Forclaz arrives early, with repeated views back across the lake before the road drops toward Faverges. From there, the route heads toward Plan Bois, the road becomes narrower and more irregular through open alpine pastures beneath the surrounding peaks. Col de la Croix Fry finishes the harder climbing of the day with a more flowing ascent above La Clusaz. The route constantly shifts between exposed mountain scenery, quieter forest roads and wider valley sections, giving the ride a strong sense of progression throughout the day.