This self guided hiking tour of the French Alpes is based around the lovely and pristine Annecy Lake. This picturesque setting is ideal Alpes, and includes the charms of the historic Annecy as well as charming villages and towns of the lake and mountains nearby. Annecy is full of art treasures and leisure activities. Its medieval quarter (la Vieille Ville or the Old Town) is a combination of canals, bridges, old architecture and flower displays. The lawns on the bank of the lake or the beach will invite you for a refreshing break. During a boat trip you have a view on the different picturesque little towns around the lake, the forested Verriez, Barron and Semnoz mountains which surround the lake and the summits and mountain chains of Parmelan and Aravis.
The next days hiking trails will guide you through the rich fauna and flora of these forests and mountains. Your tour will end on the Col de la Forclaz, a mountain pass where, surrounded by superb panoramas, you can have a retrospective of your hike adventure. As Col de la Forclaz is a paradise for hang gliders, a duo-jump may take you back to the border of the lake…, if not we will transfer you to Talloires!
The region around Lake Annecy is one of the most spectacular settings in all of the Alps. That it is so close to Geneva and Chamonix as well as many excellent ski resorts makes this the perfect year-round visit. For a walking tour, its postcard perfect.
Itinerary
Day 1 | is arrival day in Annecy. Check in and then go discover this charming town; Old Annecy, awarded “Town in Bloom”: walk around in the authentic streets, visit the old prisons, the museum at the castle of Annecy, go and see the lake area or take a guided cruise on one of the boats of the Compagnie des Bateaux… Dinner included. (D)
Day 2 | The Semnoz: At 9am a taxi will take you to the top of the Semnoz (25 min), a vast mountain nature reserve rising from 500 to 1699 m. We suggest 1 of 2 walks: The first one is the itinerary walk Crêt de Chatillon (top of Semnoz) through the forest until Crêt du Maure. A great descent with beautiful viewpoints. A distance of about 16km – 10 miles returns you to Annecy.
The second option offers a choice of numerous marked footpaths and distances who offer you a magnificent view across the French Alps and the Mont Blanc. There also is a short mountain flora discovery walk. In the afternoon, you have to confirm a meeting time with your taxi to bring you back to Annecy. A supplement of 35 euros must be paid to the driver for this option. Dinner on your own in one of the many local restaurants featuring Savoyard specialties! (B)
Day 3 | On the Rive Gauche (left lakeshore) to Duingt: To day you will do a flat walk along the west shore of the lake starting at the Annecy Town Hall. Along the dock in the port of Annecy the trail takes you through a park and along the nautical club where windsurf, sailing and rowing activities take place. Initially the trail is close to the main road but at Beau Rivage (after about a mile) you follow a bike track close to the lake. Sévrier is the first village that you will meet. You can leave your itinerary to visit the eco-museum, the fascinating pewter factory and the museum of bells. In the village of Saint Jorioz, when leaving la Vieille Eglise you see in front of you the beautiful 15th century Castle of Duingt, perched on a tiny peninsula. Along The Sentier des Roselières we reach the village of Duingt where you will be welcomed in a hotel with a private beach. Total distance: about 15 km (9,4 miles) on flat paths. Difficulty: none.
Dinner. (B,D)
Day 4 | The Taillefer walk. After a walk around in the alleys of the old village of Duingt we start our climb on the Taillefer mountain. The climb starts at the stations of the cross and brings you initially to the cave of Our Lady of the Lake where we have a last superb view on the northern part of the lake. You come to a point where you can view the Col de la Forclaz and the Tournette mountain chain on the opposite side. You walk downhill to the rural valley village of Entrevernes, where on its southern end you pick up the GR for a climb for another superb view on the southern part of the lake, where hang gliders descend from Forclaz, your destination for to day. You ascend and descend about 850 m in total over a distance of 10km. Level: easy with some short steep ups and downs, no significant difficulties. Dinner. (B,D)
Day 5 | From Doussard to Col de la Forclaz: You start in the picturesque settlement of Arnand with its always blossomed houses. You follow the path in the forest east of Doussard to cross the National road and join Verthier where some houses date from the 16th century. A climb of 650 m (1950 ft) over about 4 kms ( 2,5 miles) will bring you to the Col de la Forclaz. Your climb be will awarded splendid views on the Annecy lake and over La Tournette. This mountain pass is one of the most important in Europa to practice hang gliding. Enjoy this place and watch the hang gliders depart at about 10 minutes further on; a spectacle, not to be missed! At 4:30pm a taxi will take you down to charming Talloires lakeside town of peace and gastronomy where you will appreciate a swim in the lake or a cool drink on a terrace near the lake, re-enjoying your Annecy Lake hike? (B,D)
Day 6 | Departure after breakfast.
To join Annecy we include a boat trip from Talloires to Annecy at 11:15 am.
You will relive your hike from another angle; moreover the boat crossing of the lake is much faster than a car ride Talloires-Annecy.
Details
Accommodations: Allobroges in Annecy, Le Roselet, Arcalod Hotel, La Charpenterie hotel
The trip includes: [Virtual Hotel Tour] 5 nights lodging: in 3 and 2 star charming alpine hotels. All with private bath, buffet breakfast, 4 dinners, baggage transfer, taxi transfers and boat transfer as shown, detailed road book with colored maps and guide book with tourist information, local telephone support available throughout the tour for emergency support. All hotel rooms are clean and nice, but not luxurious, dinner menus mid-range. We also include free travel planning to add Paris hotels, car rentals, France hotels, trains, airport transfers, and more.
You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure. Upon confirmation we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists. As a customer you can also Purchase product from Hammer Nutrition, and much more!
Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, sites to see and information about sites and culture of the region. We include road signs, packing lists, travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!
Additional Night in Talloires recommended with dinner at Marc Veyrat: www.marcveyrat.fr ; rates upon request for either Talloires or Annecy.
You are important to us; so we make you thoroughly prepared and include:
Pre-trip travel documents: you will receive extensive information as a customer prior to your departure. Upon confirmation we will send you some general information about preparations including passport info, training tips, and reading lists. As a customer you can also Purchase product from Hammer Nutrition, get 2 FREE issues to Velo News, and much more!
Upon final payment, we will send to you a complete list of documentation by email including Hotel List, contact numbers, itineraries, sites to see and information about sites and culture of the region. We include road signs, packing lists, travel tips, language phrases, holiday info, tour details, culture and customs tips, and much, much more!
Optional Services:
Travel insurance, Paris museum & metro passes, Paris day tours, Lido shows, and other services. Cell phone rental and luggage storage services.
Note: prices subject to change based upon currency fluctuations. See Booking Terms and Conditions.
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