Cycling Around Lake Annecy – A Full Day Of Fun

The best thing my son and I did during our summer visit to the picturesque city of Annecy in the French Alps was cycling around Lake Annecy.

In one whole day we could take in the best Annecy has to offer: swimming in the clearest water, passing little villages, taking in the spectacular mountain views, and of course, visiting the city known as the Venice of the Alps.

When you are in Annecy and weather permits, we highly recommend grabbing a bicycle to do this Lake Annecy loop. Start at Annecy, cycle around the entire lake, and end in Annecy again to treat yourself to some delicious ice cream at the famous Glacier Perriere.

Cycling Around Lake Annecy Tips

Before we start, you should know that you don’t have to be super fit to cycle around Lake Annecy. I went with our 8-year-old son and we had the best time ever.

Looking back it might even been the highlight of our visit to Annecy. But to be fully prepared, you should consider the following points:

Time of Year

Annecy town and its picturesque lake are wonderful any time of year. Besides enjoying the colorful city, each season offers great activities. Skiing in the winter, hiking, and cycling in the spring, summer, and autumn.

If you are an active cyclist and you want to make distance and speed, then cycling on a road bike around Lake Annecy is best from late spring till early autumn.

However, if you are leisure riders like us, then we highly suggest doing this in the summer. Not only is the good weather perfect for a ride, but you can stop whenever you want to go for a swim.

The water is amazing. We stopped at least 6 times to jump in.

That said, spring and very early autumn would be perfect too. The water of the lake would be too cold for swimming though. However, there are enough stops to take in the spectacular views and visit the historic villages where you can enjoy a warm drink and food.

Difficulty

The area in and around Annecy town is a beautiful cycling challenge for all levels. It is even part of the famous Tour de France cycle race. You will surely love this challenge if you have a road bike.

That said, you don’t need to be crazy about cycling to do this.

However, if you want to bike around Lake Annecy, you do need to be familiar with cycling and be somewhat fit. It involves a little climbing. Especially on the east side of the lake, it can get pretty hilly with an occasional steep climb. The route is quite flat on the west side.

Overall cycling around Lake Annecy is easy if you can arrange an e-bike and moderate if you go on a regular bicycle.

So is cycling around Lake Annecy suitable for small children?

My son was only 8 when he cycled the whole lake.

But…

I did push him now and then, especially when it got very steep. So I would say that this route is probably suitable for kids 10 years and above.

Luckily there are options for the little ones. The bike rental shops have child-safe seats for your bike or the so-called bike trailers. And we even found one online that has e-bikes for kids.

Type of Bicycle

If you are like us and just want to spend an active yet leisurely day at the lake, we highly suggest going for an e-bike.

With an e-bike, you can easily switch from a regular bike mode to one that can assist you during steep climbs.

Since I am from the Netherlands and the bike is my number one way to get around, I am used to cycling. So I would be happy to go on a regular hybrid bike as well.

But because my son had a mountain bike, I was glad I had an e-bike on this route. I could assist him by pushing him with my hand whenever necessary without much effort.

Cycling Clock-Wise Along the Lake

The cycle path along the lake, known as the Voie Verte d’Annecy (Greenway Annecy) is a well-paved bike path. It is pretty easy to follow and you can decide to go both ways. However, we highly suggest going clockwise.

Why?

Well for 3 important reasons.

1. At Les Granges, there is a steep hairpin road. It is actually the only really steep part of the whole cycle tour. Luckily we took it downhill and enjoyed the fresh breeze along the way. On the other side of the road, you could see people panting and having a hard time doing this climb. So make sure you go clockwise to one of the most challenging climbs of the entire route.
   
2. In France, you drive on the right side of the road. So when cycling around Lake Annecy clockwise you will always have the lake on your right, which is closest to you. It is easier to enjoy this scenic route if there is no traffic in between. Additionally, you can hit the brakes and get off the cycle path whenever you feel like it.
   
3. You will tackle the steep hills in the beginning (so when you are still fresh and fit). At the southern tip of the lake, you will cycle through a wide valley that will end up at a flat bicycle-only lane through the forest.

Go off the main cycle path

As mentioned earlier, the well-designated bike lanes around the lake make it pretty easy to cycle around the lake. There are also signs pointing you in the correct direction.

That said, there are moments when the cycle path runs parallel to the main road leading you far away from the lake.

Especially on the west side where there used to be old railway lines which they converted into bicycle-only lanes.

Which is great of course…

But in my opinion, the best part of the whole trip is to cycle next to the lake and jump in the water whenever you feel like it.

So switch on Google Maps and take the little roads away from the main one. It is a detour and sometimes you need to cycle up a steep hill to get back on the main cycle path. But it is worth it!

This is where the hidden gems along the lake are!

Places where you want to leave the main cycle track behind:

• Le Choseux (La Palace De Menthon)
• Angon (Plage D’Angon)
• Duingt (Chateau Duingt)
• Between Duingt and Piron (the main cycle track passes forested areas missing out on the little villages and lake)

Plan it as a whole-day activity

While a bike ride around Lake Annecy can be done in more or less 3 hours, you will need much longer than that if you want to fully enjoy it. It might be a good idea to see the tour of the lake as something you will do for 1 entire day.

Our bike ride took us a total of 6 hours. We left early in the morning giving us enough time to stop whenever we wanted. We had snack stops and lunch plus we did a lot of swimming.

Cycling around Lake Annecy Highlights

Major highlights of this route around Lake Annecy are:

Lake Annecy

Known as Lac D’Annecy in French, this lake is considered Europe’s cleanest lake since strict environmental regulations were imposed in the 1960s.

It was created by large alpine glaciers around 18000 years ago. Many little mountain rivers are connected to Lake Annecy keeping the water nice and chilly, even in the summer months.

Lake Annecy is the third largest lake in France after Lac Du Bourget and Lac Leman (Lake Geneva). About 60% of Lac Leman is under the jurisdiction of Switzerland. So depending on how you see it, Lake Annecy can also be considered the second largest in France. (source: Lakes France)

The lake has attracted a lot of tourism for the swimming and watersports possibilities. Around the lake, you can find many camping sites and other types of accommodation. Perfect if you want to enjoy Annecy but don’t want to stay in the city itself.

The crystal turquoise or bright blue water set against the mountain range makes Lake Annecy in my opinion one of the the most beautiful lakes I have seen so far in Europe.

A popular yearly event that takes place to celebrate the Lake is the annual fireworks. It is the biggest fireworks event in Europe and takes place every first Saturday of August. It lasts 1,5 hours and it is so big that the nearby villages in the surrounding mountains can enjoy it too.

Surrounding Mountains

When cycling around Lake Annecy you will be continuously treated to great views of the stunning mountain ranges. The most dominant Annecy mountains are Mont Veyrier (1,291 m) and La Tournette (2,351 m) in the east, as well as Semnoz (1,699 m) in the west of the lake.

I was particularly amazed at how prominent the sheer cliffs were when cycling on the west side of the lake. Later I found out they are called Dents de Lanfon.

On a very clear day, you can even see the Mont Blanc when standing at the northern point of the lake, along the city promenade at the park Jardin l’Europe.

Lakeside Beaches and Jetties

The great thing about Lake Annecy is that the water is easily accessible. Along the road surrounding the lake, you will find a lot of spots where you can sit and enjoy the breathtaking views and jump in of course!

It is easier to stop anywhere you want on a bicycle. We particularly loved the many jetties tucked away. It was the ideal place to jump straight into the deep water.

The lakeside beaches we visited all had a little restaurant, picnic areas, and a patch of grass to relax. They were pretty quiet considering it was the high season.

The beaches closest to Annecy City and La Parque L’Europe are the busiest. When we were there in the summer season they were extremely packed. So I suggest taking advantage of heading out by bicycle to the beaches along other parts of the lake.

Castles

There are two historical castles along the Lake Annecy route. And I’m ashamed to admit this, but I passed them both without seeing them.

Now looking at the map I have no idea how I could not have spotted them.

That said, make sure you include a detour of Menthon-Saint-Bernard Castle. It is a huge castle and the setting looks stunning.

The other one is along the lake and is named after the city it is located: Chateau Duingt.

Annecy Old Town

Annecy is located on the northern tip of Lake Annecy. France has many beautiful cute picturesque towns and Annecy is one of the most mesmerizing I have been to so far.

The narrow canals along the colorful buildings and the small cobbled stone streets make it a treat to wander aimlessly through this medieval village.

In the 12th century, this town was mainly centered around the castle that was built by the Counts of Geneva. From there it grew to be the capital of Haute-Savoie department in Eastern France.

The river Thiou characterizes this charming city creating canals and quays through the old city. There are many places along the water where you find restaurants or from where you can enjoy the beautiful scenic town.

Highlights of Old Town Annecy are:

Palais de l’Isle: This historical castle is located on an island in the Thiou River in Annecy’s old town center. This medieval building dates back to the 12th century and was used as a residence, courthouse, and even a prison. Today it’s a museum that offers exhibits about the region’s heritage, culture, and architecture.

Annecy Market: The market in Annecy is very busy on summer days but worth visiting. Held in the old town on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, it offers a variety of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and regional specialties. Stroll through the market’s stalls and sample delicious cheeses, cured meats, and freshly baked breads, all sourced from local producers.

Annecy’s Museum Castle (Château d’Annecy): This 12th-century castle is a historic landmark located on the edge of Lake Annecy. You can explore its medieval towers, ramparts, and picturesque courtyards, offering a glimpse into the region’s past.

Explore the little streets and bridges of the old town and feel transported back to a romantic fairy tale. The little streets will lead to along the building with colorful shutters and flower-filled balconies, and over little bridges where the clear water flows through the city. There are many courtyards, boutique shops, and cozy cafes scattered throughout Annecy.

Parc L’Europe with the Pont Des Amours – This park is the perfect place to rest at the end of your ride around Lake Annecy. It is a favorite spot among the locals for picnics, and strolls, and an ideal place to enjoy the scenic views of the French Alps. The centerpiece of the park is the iconic Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge), an idyllic footbridge that spans the Canal du Vassé.

Renting a bicycle at Annecy

There are many bicycle rental shops in and near Annecy. We happened to find one just near the beach we were spending a day at. We only needed a mountain bike for our son and they had enough available so we didn’t have to make any reservations for the next day.

However, we recommend contacting several bike shops to ensure you have a bike available once you are in Annecy. I can imagine that many bicycles are rented out in the high season.

For any other time of year, it would be wise to contact the shops to see if they are open.

As mentioned earlier I highly recommend renting an electric bike. You will have a more relaxing ride on this type of bike since you can use your leg power or get some assistance from the bike.

You should check out a couple of websites if you plan to go with a child. Some have more choices when it comes to bicycle rentals for children. Toddlers should go on a bicycle child seat or a bike trailer.

For the older kids, there is a choice of mountain bikes and sometimes even an e-bike.

Prices of the bikes are around:

	2H-4H	1 Day	24H
Adult Bike	€19	€25	€30
Adult E-Bike	€37	€49	€59
Child Bike	€12	€16	€19
Child E-Bike	€32	€43	€51

Conclusion: Cycling Around Lake Annecy

Cycling around Lake Annecy is an ideal way to explore Annecy town and its amazing surroundings. It’s a fun and diverse way to take in the stunning views while stopping at the major highlights of the route.

It is a perfect activity for anybody, whether you are on a family holiday, traveling as a couple or even solo.

We experienced and saw a lot in just one day. Plus it was also a great way to escape the crowds at Annecy town and a way to cool down on a hot summer day.

Make sure you try this bike ride around Lake Annecy when you are there!

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