C205-STANDARD  Annecy lake

Annecy Lake is a genuine jewel in the center of a mountainous, multi-facetted treasure chest. Its winding banks house picturesque villages and hamlets which invite the traveler to stop and appreciate the lake’s breathtaking views. The surrounding mountain is everywhere different: snow-capped most of the year at the Tournette summit, overlooking the lake, aggressive at Les Dents de Lanfon (Lafon’s Teeth), smooth and undulating at the green mountains of Entrevernes. The perfect tour for your first journey in the mountains!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at ANNECY. Visit of the old city. Your hotel is ideally located: just steps away from Annecy’s old quarters, at the foot of the city’s chateau, and right next-door to the Palais de l’Isle, the symbol of the city – Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel

Day 2 : ANNECY – DUINGT (15 km – 4 hour walk). Take time in the morning light to discover different aspects of Annecy’s old quarters : the Saint Pierre cathedral with its Renaissance façade, and the Saint François and Saint Maurice Churches. When leaving the city, take Rue de Sainte Claire, a major road of old Annecy, and a charming route, lined on both sides by homes with arched doorways. Follow the west bank of the Annecy Lake to pass through the villages of Puya, Beau Rivage and Sevrier, with its church perched high above the lake. In the distance sits Mont Veyrier and the rocky barriers of Le Parmelan, Les Dents de Lafont and La Tournette, casting a shadow over the lake from its impressive summit at 2,351 meters. You will then leave the banks to visit the Musee de la Cloche, dedicated entirely to the bell. You will be surprised to find out how difficult it is to manufacture them !  You will then cross a lush green landscape to arrive again at the lake’s edge and discover the reed-beds, which play a decisive role in the life of the lake. Finally exchanging reed-beds for your own bed, you will arrive in Duingt, a little village with a charming, picturesque church in the old quarters…and your resting place for the night – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel on the lake side.

Day 3 – DUINGT – DOUSSARD (6.00 hour walk – alt. gain: 500 meters). You will leave the lake’s banks to walk up to the top of Le Taillefer and discover the whole of Annecy Lake from above. The path climbs up through Notre-Dame-de-la-Grotte, passes along Mont Gerber (638 meters in altitude), and continues along the crests of the massif. Passing through the village of Entrevernes, you will discover an old sawmill which works with a beautiful water-wheel. You will return to the crests and walk down to the lake, crossing through the village of Lathuile on the way to the named-place of Le Bout du Lac, where you will overnight. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel

Day 4 – The FORCLAZ PASS –TALLOIRES (7.00 hour walk – ascent 400 metres). Transfer by taxi to the Forclaz Pass. Gorgeous, plunging view of the lake, the Duingt cape and the castle. Climbing towards the first crests from the pass, you will cross through the Aulp farm and through the chalets of Crottes. You will follow a wild path through the Combe Noire Forest and continue along it, passing through the Ponnay Hamlet, to arrive at the Saint Germain Hermitage, overlooking the lake. Your efforts will be duly rewarded by wonderful panoramic views of Talloires Bay and the Annecy Lake. Having glimpsed your day’s destination from above, you will descend into the village of Talloires and arrive at the doors of its famous abbey, now transformed into a luxurious hotel – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel

Day 5 – BLUFFY – ANNECY (6.30 hour walk – alt. gain: 900 meters). Transfer by taxi to Bluffy Village and then… the mountains. By way of the Bluffy Pass (630 meters in altitude) and a wooded path which skirts around the Mont Barret, you will slowly rise to join the Les Contrebandiers Pass (1054 m), before trekking to Mont Baron’s summit at 1254 meters. Again you will stand at the edge of a panorama of the lake and the surrounding areas that will leave you breathless, not from the hike, but from awe and admiration!  You will then make your way along the crests of Mont Baron and Mont Veyrier to descend upon the east bank of the lake. Once in Annecy, you will walk along the lake and its promenade and find your hotel situated in the old quarters of the city. Lodging and breakfast in a 2-star hotel

Day 6 – ANNECY. Tour ends after breakfast. If you have a few hours to spare, we recommend taking a sailing tour of the lake… and why not have lunch on board!

Season

From middle of May to middle of October but be careful this area is very crowded in summer time and we recommend you (if you can) to come outside this period. Nevertheless this area attracts a lot of tourists and you have to reserve earlier to get the best rooms.

What’s included?

• 5 nights’ accommodation in 2-star hotels
• 5 breakfasts – 3 dinners
• Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail.
• Taxi transfers
• A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with the route marked on and detailed route notes describing the trail.
• A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail.
• Emergency assistance.

Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the walk area – Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Additional meals – Entrance fees – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls,…are not included

Getting there and away

By train: Several TGV from Paris every day or fast trains with connection in Lyon or Aix-Les-Bains from Paris-Gare de Lyon rail station.

By car: Annecy is on the motorway A41 (Geneva-Chambery)

Where to park: guarded pay or unguarded free parkings nearby the hotel

Walk difficulty

Grade 3 – walks of between 5 and 8 hours a day with ascents up to 700 m. Some hiking experience is advisable. A reasonable level of fitness and some stamina are required for these walks. You may cover long distances in remote countryside and the terrain will be rough underfoot. In mountainous areas you will encounter some sustained ascents and descents.