Cycling routes around Annecy France?
Discussion
Much to my amazement Lady TSC has agreed to let me take the bike on our summer hols for a 3 day pass. So i'm furiously trying to get 3 routes nailed down before she changes her mind! The one that sprang to mind was Col du Grand Colombier due West of Annecy which looks to be a nice day out and around 80-100 miles. Does anyone have any experience of rides around this area or suggest 2 other routes.(Max 7-8 hours from Lake Annecy)
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Col de la Colombiere is a nice one, as is the very local (opposite side of the lake) Col de La Forclaz. The climb up to Semnoz to the west of the lake is excellent also. Heading towards Chamonix, Col de la Croix Fry is a great route and from Annecy should make for a decent day out.
I dont think you'll be stuck for them, just depends if they need to be iconic! I think both of the latter have been on the tour along the route.
Quite a few nice loops on here http://www.cycling-challenge.com/top-5-cycling-cli... You could always link them together (Semnoz with the Col De La Forclaz loop) to make it tougher/longer.
I dont think you'll be stuck for them, just depends if they need to be iconic! I think both of the latter have been on the tour along the route.
Quite a few nice loops on here http://www.cycling-challenge.com/top-5-cycling-cli... You could always link them together (Semnoz with the Col De La Forclaz loop) to make it tougher/longer.
Edited by Chicken Chaser on Tuesday 17th January 23:08
That's great thanks. I think the loop around the lake via the Semnoz and col de la Forclas would make a memorable ride. Even though it's short milage wise, the climbing (9000 Ft) more than makes up for it. Looking at trip to the east and the Croix Fry, I like the look of the linking the Aravis and then dropping back into Annecy to top up the miles.
Many happy miles spent cycling around Annecy. The routes you have mentioned are all lovely. a good little warm up is:
follow the cycle path to Saint -Jorioz, then take the D108 to Provent, Puget, lecruet, Saint-Eustache, then follow the road to foot of Semnoz. Go up the semnoz and down the other side.
Make it a bit longer about half way down the semnoz is a left turn which will take you to Quintal. Then follow the road to Gruffy and then stay on the D5 which will take you around the back of Semnoz . then just turn left on the D192 and follow all the way back to Annecy.
that's a good route, beautiful scenery, a few climbs.
follow the cycle path to Saint -Jorioz, then take the D108 to Provent, Puget, lecruet, Saint-Eustache, then follow the road to foot of Semnoz. Go up the semnoz and down the other side.
Make it a bit longer about half way down the semnoz is a left turn which will take you to Quintal. Then follow the road to Gruffy and then stay on the D5 which will take you around the back of Semnoz . then just turn left on the D192 and follow all the way back to Annecy.
that's a good route, beautiful scenery, a few climbs.
I've done the Col du Grand Colombier. It's a fab ride and very much doable - a little kicker at the end but mostly quite a sensible gradient. Took me just under an hour to climb from Lochieu but I'm a tubby wobbler.
I'd suggest heading along the D14 to the river, hang a right and up and over the pass to Brenaz, down to Lochieu, up to the Grand Colombier, descend to Anglefort and then back on the D14 back home for a well-earned beer.
P.S. Can I come??
I'd suggest heading along the D14 to the river, hang a right and up and over the pass to Brenaz, down to Lochieu, up to the Grand Colombier, descend to Anglefort and then back on the D14 back home for a well-earned beer.
P.S. Can I come??
Incidentally, when are you going? We went to Annecy last year, stopped further south along the western side of the lake at St Jorioz, and it was absolutely beautiful. So much so that we are seriously looking at returning this year. We did a week there as well as a week in the Somme area and a few days at Troyes (which is also good cycling area but more rollers than big climbs).
We are probably going end of June/start of July and i'll be taking the campervan and staying in it. Last year I didnt have the road bike with me as I had my little one and she rides in a trailer. This year i'm going back, and im in the process of buying something which I pull her along with and then also use to go off early doors or during slack times when wife and child just want to play in the pool and sweat out some miles. If we do, Semnoz will be one of those i'll be tackling.
We are probably going end of June/start of July and i'll be taking the campervan and staying in it. Last year I didnt have the road bike with me as I had my little one and she rides in a trailer. This year i'm going back, and im in the process of buying something which I pull her along with and then also use to go off early doors or during slack times when wife and child just want to play in the pool and sweat out some miles. If we do, Semnoz will be one of those i'll be tackling.
This is the route of the first day of the Hot Chillee alpine challenge from a few years ago:-
https://www.strava.com/activities/189830591
Takes in Forclaz, not too bad, and Semnoz, tough.
https://www.strava.com/activities/189830591
Takes in Forclaz, not too bad, and Semnoz, tough.
Chicken Chaser said:
Incidentally, when are you going? We went to Annecy last year, stopped further south along the western side of the lake at St Jorioz, and it was absolutely beautiful. So much so that we are seriously looking at returning this year. We did a week there as well as a week in the Somme area and a few days at Troyes (which is also good cycling area but more rollers than big climbs).
We are probably going end of June/start of July and i'll be taking the campervan and staying in it. Last year I didnt have the road bike with me as I had my little one and she rides in a trailer. This year i'm going back, and im in the process of buying something which I pull her along with and then also use to go off early doors or during slack times when wife and child just want to play in the pool and sweat out some miles. If we do, Semnoz will be one of those i'll be tackling.
We've booked to go mid August and staying at the southern end of the lake in Doussard in a two week road trip with stops planned at Reims, then travelling through Epernay stopping at a couple of villages we've been to before then onto Beaune, then Annecy. On the way back we've pencilled in Troyes. Just looking for an overnight stop somewhere nice before Calais prior to the ferry home. You're right the pics do look amazing around Annecy, so much so I'm considering taking the DSLR on the road bike!We are probably going end of June/start of July and i'll be taking the campervan and staying in it. Last year I didnt have the road bike with me as I had my little one and she rides in a trailer. This year i'm going back, and im in the process of buying something which I pull her along with and then also use to go off early doors or during slack times when wife and child just want to play in the pool and sweat out some miles. If we do, Semnoz will be one of those i'll be tackling.
murray said:
This is the route of the first day of the Hot Chillee alpine challenge from a few years ago:-
https://www.strava.com/activities/189830591
Takes in Forclaz, not too bad, and Semnoz, tough.
That looks a great route and tackles the Semnoz the same direction I was thinking.https://www.strava.com/activities/189830591
Takes in Forclaz, not too bad, and Semnoz, tough.
Not quite 80 to 100 miles, nearer 100km, however, I've done this route a couple of times on my various trips to Annecy, it's a great ride.
https://www.strava.com/activities/365083196
https://www.strava.com/activities/365083196
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