Hiking Annecy – The 21 Best Annecy Hiking Trails (+ free maps)
Annecy is undoubtedly a paradise for hikers.
There are hikes for everyone, from easy walks on flat ground to extreme climbs to mountain peaks. Going around lakes, discovering waterfalls or scenic ridge trails are all on the menu.
Let’s see the 21 best Annecy hiking trails! 
Where to Stay for Hiking near Annecy
Still in the planning phase of your trip to Annecy? Finding a good home base to explore the area is the first step to great travels, so let me help you out here.
The best option is to stay directly in Annecy, as all of the hikes in this guide are either directly in Annecy, or less than 1h30 away. Here are the best places to stay in Annecy:
Best Hotel – Lodge et Dolce: this is definitely the best hotel in the area. It’s located 10mn away from the train station, and 5mn from the lake. It has everything you need to be your base for your hikes, and it’s the perfect place to come home after a long day hiking in the mountains.
Best Budget Hotel – Best Hotel Annecy: if you’re looking for a great place to stay without paying too much, then this hotel is for you. With a private bathroom, a private parking and comfy beds, you’d be hard pressed to find better for around 30€/night per person.
Hiking in Annecy – The Best Annecy Walks & Hikes
In this guide, you’ll find a mix of the best hikes near Annecy. They’ll take you to tall mountain peaks, alpine lakes, stunning waterfalls & more! Some of them are right in Annecy, some just outside, and other a bit further but easily reachable by car for a day trip.
Without further ado, let’s see the best hikes around Annecy!
1. La Tournette
Let’s start this guide with what’s probably the most famous hike in Annecy: la Tournette.
La Tournette is the highest mountain around the Lac d’Annecy, and climbing to the top is a real adventure.
It’s definitely a tough hike, but it’s well worth it. The views you get from the summit are absolutely stunning, and if you go there early you’ll probably meet some of the local ibexes near the top!
The final climb to the summit is done by climbing using steel cables, and stepping on a ladder between rocks. It’s not a hike for everyone, but if you’re an experienced hiker you’ll love it.
Here are the full details of the hike:
Randonnée la Tournette
6h 
11.4km / 7.1 miles
1,183m / 3,881ft 
1,183m / 3,881ft
2. Mont Baron & Mont Veyrier Hike
If you want great views over the Lac d’Annecy from the top of the mountains without climbing the hard La Tournette, then this one is for you.
The Mont Baron & Mont Veyrier are 2 mountains right next to Annecy, and you can even start the hike straight from the city.
For a shortest hike, you can drive close to the summit to the Col des Contrebandiers. From there, it’s a short 2h hike loop to the summits and back.
After a first climb in the forest, you’ll soon be out above the mountains, with epic views over the Lac d’Annecy and surrounding mountains. On top, you can go on a scenic balcony walk along the ridge, between Mont Baron & Mont Veyrier.
There are 3 different starting points to this hike, depending on what works best for you. See them all by clicking on the “View hike” button below.
Mont Veyrier & Mont Baron hike from Col des Contrebandiers
2h 3.7km / 2.3 miles 277m / 909ft 277m / 909ft
3. Circuit des 3 Croix de Sevrier
This hike is located right across the lake from the previous one, and as such offers totally different views.
It starts in Sévrier, close to the lake, and climbs up in the forest high above the village.
After the initial climb, the trail takes you along the ridge to 3 different viewpoints over the lake, each with a massive cross marking the spot. You’ll see the Mont Baron & Mont Veyrier across the lake, and the tall la Tournette peak to the right.
It’s a short hike, and it surely has one of the best views/difficulty ratio of the Annecy hiking trails.
Circuit des 3 Croix de Sévrier
2h35 5.86km / 3.64 miles 332m / 1,090ft 332m / 1,090ft
4. Gorges du Fier
Located just 20mn from Annecy, the Gorges du Fier is an easy walk perfect for the whole family.
You’ll walk through natural gorges carved over the years by the Fier river, on a suspended bridge built on the side of the cliffs.
This easy walk takes you on a 1h tour through the Gorges, high above the river, surrounded by high cliffs.
At the end of the footbridge, you exit from within the gorges and get a nice view over the Mer des Rochers (the Sea of Rocks), a beautiful geological formation.
See the full guide here: Gorges du Fier, an Annecy Gorge Walk
5. Roc de Chère
Here’s another of the easy hiking trails in Annecy. The Roc de Chère is a nature reserve on the shore of the lake, around 20mn from Annecy city center, next to the Château de Menthon.
You can drive straight to the start of the hike, and park in the free parking lot in front. You’re in for an easy 45mn walk in the reserve, with almost no elevation.
The trail opens up on 2 viewpoints, with great views over the lac and the Château de Duingt.
Roc de Chere Hike
45mn 2.82km / 1.7 miles 150m / 492ft 150m / 492ft
6. Randonnée du Bout du Monde
Alright, now time to leave the Lac d’Annecy to explore some of the great destinations for hiking near Annecy, France. One of these destinations is Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, located 1h15 away from Annecy city centre.
The first great hike in Sixt is the randonnée du Bout du Monde.
Literally named the End of the World hike, this hike will take you through the cirque du Fer-à-Cheval, surrounded by high cliffs & waterfalls.
With more than 30 waterfalls in the area, epic views just come one after the other along this hike. At the end when you reach the Bout du Monde, you’ll get a great view over the valley below.
Randonnée du Bout du Monde
3h 10.8km / 6.7 miles 341m / 1,118ft 341m / 1,118ft
7. Cirque des Fonts
While the hike above is absolutely wonderful, it does get pretty crowded in summer. If you’re looking for some peace & quiet in the high season, you can hike to the nearby Cirque des Fonts.
Getting to the Cirque du Fer-à-Cheval is as easy as driving there.
But getting to its neighbor the Cirque des Fonts require a 2h hike in the forest, at the end of which you’ll reach the cirque and the Refuge des Fonts where you can even stay overnight (it’s a great base to start some other hikes in the area).
Randonnée du Cirque des Fonts
3h30 7km / 4.3 miles 470m / 1,542ft 470m / 1,542ft
8. Cascade du Rouget to 2 Waterfalls
And finally, let’s end this part of hikes in Sixt with the Cascade du Rouget hike.
The cascade du Rouget is a really popular waterfall, and it’s easy to understand why: it’s a massive waterfall, right on the side of the road.
There’s no hike required to reach it, as you can literally drive to it.
However, there’s a nice hike that starts from the waterfall. It will take you to 2 other waterfalls, the Cascade de la Sauffaz & Cascade de la Pleureuse.
You can even make it a shorter hike if you drive to the Chalet du Lignon: it becomes a short 1h hike to reach the 2 waterfalls.
Check below for more info about the hike, and click on the “View hike” button for all details.
Randonnée Cascade du Rouget
2h30 4.8km / 3 miles 450m / 1,476ft 450m / 1,476ft
9. Lac Vert
We’re leaving Sixt to go to Passy, another area near Annecy. It’s around 1h20 from Annecy, and perfect for a day trip.
The first hike in Passy is the Lac Vert: a small emerald lake surrounded by trees & mountains.
If you don’t want to hike, it’s fine: you can drive all the way to the lake. However there’s only a few parking spots available, and it fills up pretty quickly.
If you can’t park close, or if you want to hike, you can park at the massive free parking lot in Plaine-Joux. From there, it’s an easy 20mn walk to reach the lake and very low incline.
Once at the lake, you can stroll around the lake using wooden bridges floating on water.
Randonnée Lac Vert
1h 3.1km / 2 miles 100m / 328ft 100m / 328ft
10. Lac de Pormenaz
The second hike of this guide in Passy is the hike to the Lac de Pormenaz.
The hike actually starts from the Lac Vert, and takes you high in the Pormenaz mountains. The Lac de Pormenaz isn’t as easy to reach as the Lac Vert though: plan around 6h for the return hike.
After a slow climb on a forest trail, the hike gets tricky for a short part where you’ll climb a pretty steep portion using steel cables & ladders.
After the climb, you’ll reach the magnificent Lac de Pormenaz, surrounded by the Rochers des Fiz and the Pointe de Pormenaz. There are several other small lakes around the summit, and it’s highly likely that you’ll spot ibexes & sheeps along the way.
Randonnée Lac de Pormenaz
6h 13.5km / 8.4 miles 800m / 2,625ft 800m / 2,625ft
11. Angon waterfall
The Cascade d’Angon is a waterfall in Talloires, on the shore of the Lac d’Annecy.
The hike towards the waterfall will take you on a well-maintained trail, with great views over the lake & mountains.
It’s a short hike, and there are a lot of covered parts that are in the shade, which is pretty nice in the heat of summer.
At the end of the hike, you will reach the Angon waterfall. The trail is carved in the rock, and it takes you very close to the waterfall. Be careful in the last part of the trail, as it can get slippery when it’s wet.
La cascade d’Angon
2h 6.6km / 4.1 miles 546m / 1,791ft 546m / 1,791ft
12. Semnoz Plateau
The Plateau du Semnoz is a plateau high up in the mountains west of the Annecy lake. The whole area is a ski resort in winter, and very popular with families in summer with plenty of activities.
You can drive all the way up to the plateau; from up there, you can walk around, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains. It’s an easy hike suited for everyone, with little elevation, on wide open grounds.
Plateau du Semnoz
1h40 5.2km / 3.2 miles 170m / 558ft 170m / 558ft
13. Col de la Forclaz
The Col de la Forclaz is a mountain pass above the Lac d’Annecy, on the south east shore of the lake. It’s a very famous pass for cyclists, and also for paragliders who come jump from the cliff there.
The hike starts in the Doussard nature reserve, on the lake shore. It takes you on a forest trail up the mountain, with stunning views over the lake during the climb.
The only difficulty of this hike is the elevation: it’s a steep walk, and with 726m (2,382ft) of uphill climb it’s definitely not for everyone.
At the summit you’ll reach the Col de la Forclaz, with a panoramic view over the lake. For the best experience, you can also book your paragliding flight at the top and fly back down to the lake!
Col de la Forclaz hike
3h30 10km / 6.2 miles 726m / 2,382ft 726m / 2,381ft
14. Boucle du Parmelan
The Parmelan mountain is one of the most famous landmarks in Annecy. This long rocky strip above the forests can be seen from Annecy, and it’s a staple of the city view.
Just like la Tournette, the Boucle du Parmelan hike is a classic in Annecy, and as such it’s usually pretty crowded on the trails. If you’re visiting in summer, make sure to get an early start to beat the crowds.
The hike is pretty steep, and you’ll be climbing a lot. After the first climb in the forest, you’ll be out at the base of the cliffs. From there, a path named Le Grand Montoir goes up on the side of the cliffs, with stone steps, steel cable and handrails to secure the climb.
It’s not extremely difficult, but it can be impressive when you’re out on the side of the cliff.
When you reach the summit, you’ll be able to stop at the Chalet Camille Dunant (open from mid May to mid September) to get a drink or grab a bite. You’ll also get one of the most epic views around Annecy, with the Mont-Blanc in the background.
Boucle du Parmelan
5h 9km / 5.6 miles 829m / 2,720ft 829m / 2,720ft
15. Promenade du Thiou
Let’s take a break from hard mountain hikes with the next one: the Promenade du Thiou. This hike is a gentle walk through Annecy, along the Thiou river.
It starts from the city centre, and progressively leaves the urban environment as buildings are replaced by trees.
The hike is flat, with no difficulty. All along the walk, you’ll see several bridges, mills and ducks.
It’s among the easiest Annecy walks, and perfect for the whole family after a heavy lunch!
Promenade du Thiou
2h20 7km / 4.4 miles 42m / 138ft 42m / 138ft
16. Arête du Taillefer
The Arête du Taillefer is a ridge starting from the Lac d’Annecy in Duingt, on the south western part of the lake. The hike starts from Duingt, next to the beautiful castle and climbs up the ridge.
The first stop is the Grotte de Notre-Dame, a viewpoint just over the village, very easy to reach. After that, the trail goes up the mountain, and becomes a bit harder with some parts where you’ll need to use your hands to hold the handrails.
This short hike offers great views over the lake and the surrounding mountains, with la Tournette right across.
Arête du Taillefer
2h30 6.8km / 4.2 miles 355m / 1,165ft 355m / 1,165ft
17. Circuit des Cascades de Villaz
The Circuit des Cascades de Villaz is a hike next to the Parmelan mountain, right outside Annecy.
The hike starts in the forest, and soon crosses a small stream. Right after the stream, a small forest path will take you to the first waterfall, the Cascade des Nantisses. After this first stop, the trail will lead you to the second waterfall, the Cascade du Dard.
It’s an easy hike, with only a slight elevation, and it’s definitely suited for the whole family, small kids included.
Circuit des Cascades de Villaz
1h30 3.2km / 2 miles 190m / 624ft 190m / 624ft
18. Pointe de Talamarche
The Pointe de Talamarche is another one of the mountain peaks towering above the Lac d’Annecy. It’s located on the eastern side of the lake, in between the Monts Baron & Veyrier north and La Tournette down south.
The hike starts with a very steep climb to the mountain pass Col des Nantets. Once you reach the pass, you’ll have one of the best views of the lake, often visited by local goats.
The ridge walk to Pointe de Talamarche and the view over the jagged Dents de Lanfon (pictured below) are the 2 key parts of this hike. It’s not a super long hike (around 5h), but there’s a lot of elevation change: over 1,000m (3,280ft). Get your calves ready as they’re in for a nice workout!
Pointe de Talamarche
5h 10.2km / 6.4 miles 1,083m / 3,553ft 1,083m / 3,553ft
19. Pic de Jallouvre
The Pic de Jallouvre is a peak part of the Bornes-Aravis mountain range, located 1h away from Annecy.
The hike to the summit is absolutely epic, and offers it all: ridge walk, summit climb, view over an alpine lake, and plenty of ibexes. You’ll first climb to the summit to enjoy the view, then walk back down to the Lac de Lessy where you can chill for a while around the lake.
It’s an extreme hike, and you should only go if you’re an experienced hiker. First, there’s a big elevation change, and it climbs pretty fast & steep to the summit. And second, there are several tricky parts to navigate:
- scree field (full of unstable small rocks) where it’s hard to step correctly
- ridge walk on the Col du Rasoir, small trail on the ridge with steep drops on both sides
- persistent snow on the trail until July
Pic de Jallouvre
6h 11.4km / 7.1 miles 1,090m / 3,576ft 1,090m / 3,576ft
20. La Pointe d’Arcalod
After the extreme Pic de Jallouvre hike, let’s keep it up with another tough one, la Pointe d’Arcalod. Tough, but absolutely worth it!
With its 2,217 meters (7,724ft), the Pointe d’Arcalod is the highest peak in the Bauges mountain range, south of Annecy. Reaching the top offers a 360° panoramic view over all the nearby mountain ranges, including the Mont-Blanc in the background.
But getting to such a stunning view doesn’t come easy. It’s a long climb, with a constant steep trail until the final climb to the summit; final climb on which you’ll need to use your hands, and it becomes climbing rather than hiking. There are huge rocks and the climb itself is rather easy, but it’s still a climb.
You can see more pictures on this French guide, including the final climb and the panoramic view from the summit.
Pointe d’Arcalod
6h 12.7km / 7.9 miles 1,219m / 4,000ft 1,219m / 4,000ft
21. Rocher du Vent in Lac de Roselend
And finally, the last hike in this list of best hiking routes Annecy has to offer: the Rocher du Vent hike.
The Rocher du Vent is a peak above the Lac de Roselend, a big alpine lake located 1h40 south east of Annecy. The hike to the summit will take you through a pretty cool tunnel, and you’ll get epic views over 2 lakes, the Lac de Roselend and the Lac de la Gittaz.
The area is a nature reserve, so you’ll probably see plenty of wild animals. I got there early morning, and was lucky to see dozens of marmots and a family of ibexes at the top.
The hike is not too long, and you’ll reach the top in around 2h. I initially rated the hike as “Moderate”, but the small trail climbing to the summit has since been covered by a rockfall. It can still be taken but with additional precautions.
You can click on the “View Hike” button below for all details about this hike, including more photos.
Rocher du Vent hike
4h 8.5km / 5.3 miles 600m / 1,968ft 600m / 1,968ft
Visit Haute-Savoie
Planning your trip to Haute-Savoie? You’ll find below a few other travel guides & key spots to see in the area.
Best hikes around Annecy:
Great outdoor destinations near Annecy:
The BIG guides:
I hope you enjoy your trip to Annecy and to France; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below, I always reply.
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This post is amazing! Is there any way you could tell me which of these hikes would be best for someone who is afraid of heights, and super fit for running/walking but a hiking novice? I can do heights as long as there is a either a lot of distance between me and the edge, or if there’s a barrier, like on a bridge or in a cable car. Thanks!
Hi Lisa! Well, I would definitely recommend the 3 Croix de Sevrier, Roc de Chère, Randonnée du Bout du Monde or Cascade du Rouget for a beginner hiker with good physical condition. These trails don’t have difficult/dangerous cliffside paths, you will always be safe. And they are absolutely beautiful, so you will definitely stay motivated along the way! 😉
Hi, Kevin
Thank you for your amazing job! We are hiking loving family and find this website great guide to hiking Annecy. Best of luck with your dream!
Thanks a lot for your support Aigars! 🙂
Seems wonderful! How are the conditions in mid May? How is the temperature and weather?
Hi Silje! The weather in Annecy is good in May, with sunny but humid days (September is still the rainiest month). The temperatures vary from 8 to 20°C (important gap between morning and afternoon), but the weather is nice to go hiking, as long as you’re wearing something warm for mornings 🙂
merci pour le site! I can’t wait to go hiking in Annecy now!
Hey Shaleen, don’t hesitate to share your feedback after visiting 🙂