Experience a Road Bike Tour of Lake Annecy and the Alps
See the amazingly azure Lake Annecy and surrounding mountain scenery and cols on our Annecy bike tour.
We began visiting Lake Annecy and the area in 2018. It may be a somewhat lesser known area by cycling enthusiasts outside of France, but ask any local and they will tell you this area and the quiet roads and forested climbs of the nearby UNESCO Parc de Bauges make this a cycling mecca!
Not only does the altitude offer shade in summer, but the routes overlooking one of Europe's cleanest lakes are utterly stunning. Swimming in lake Annecy is like bathing in a freshwater swimming pool, the water is so gloriously clear.
There are plenty of options for watersports as well, from paddle boards and pedalos to motor boats, yachts, windsurfing, wakeboarding.... The blue waters and mountain backdrop make it a magical French destination.
Cycling around Annecy
Since we started our tours in this region, the local council has been hard at work adding a cycle track which now allows people to take a full tour of the lake, almost completely off the road, which is a joy to experience.
Annecy is also on the doorsteps of the St Jean de Maurienne Valley (the largest uphill cycling area in the world!) and the Alps. We will take in the famous Col de Madeleine this week to earn ourselves the famous Myrtille tart — only available at the top! The cycling community in the area has grown as has the number of cycling cafes, and we ensure that our tour has a few stops at bASECAMP in Talloires (a cycling shop and cafe a few steps away from the shores of Lake Annecy and our chosen rental bike partner should you not wish to travel with your own bike).
Other famous climbs on the tour include the Col des Saisies and the Col d'Aravis, which have featured in the Tour de France and Étape du Tour many times over the last couple of decades.
The views from Col de la Forclaz are particularly stunning, especially it seems, for paragliders! Seeing the colourful wings in the air around the Talloires side of the lake only adds to the photogenic qualities of Annecy.
Visiting Annecy town
Known as the Venice of the Alps, the canals passing through the town make it particularly pretty, especially with buildings bedecked with window pots cascading with red geraniums. Swans cruise around the waterways and visitors take the opportunity to sample an ice-cream from one of the many shops around the marketplace.
Cycle around Lake Annecy with our guides to help you make the most of the best spots, and most suitable rides for your level.