Road Cycling Routes near Saint-Jorioz

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.

This is a long, sustained mountain day that starts with the valley climb toward Thônes. You move through the busy town center and push deeper into the Aravis, where the gradients start to bite as you navigate the switchbacks toward Le Grand Bornand.The road steepens significantly above the village, where you weave through jagged limestone cliffs that funnel you toward the summit. Once you reach the top, the descent toward Cluses drops is a rewarding and fast descent. From there you'll set direction to Sallanches where the final climbs awaits before you heading back towards the familiar road around the Lake of Annecy.