The best walks around Annecy

Annecy is an exceptional place for hikers and mountain lovers. The town is nestled between several mountain ranges.

• The Bornes massif ;
• the Bauges massif ;
• the Aravis massif ;
• the Mandallaz ;

the Col de la Forclaz, from where paragliders leave Annecy.

Half of the species found in France are also found in Savoie. The fauna of the Savoie mountains is diverse and rare: lynx, golden eagle, young-billed duck, bearded vulture and wolf can all be seen.

We've followed the advice of the Lake Annecy tourist office to find some great walks. Find the perfect walking itinerary for your holiday on the Lake Annecy website.

Educational trail in the Bout-du-Lac nature reserve

What better way to discover the flora and fauna of Savoie than to take your children on a nature walk? At the far end of Lake Annecy, there's a trail that takes you on a one-and-a-half-hour stroll through the lake's last wetland. Over a total height difference of 10 metres and a distance of 3.2 km, you'll discover a natural area dotted with signs and a medieval tower converted into an observatory.

Half of the trail is accessible to the disabled.

La Virée: a street art walk

On this walk, there will be no trees or breathtaking views, just works of art in the urban landscape. Spearheaded by the Art By Friends collective, the street art walk project is above all about sharing and bringing art into contact with the Annécian landscape. Under bridges, on ancient walls, on the ground - art is everywhere, it's up to you to find it. You can pick up the map at the Tourist Office, at the Art by Friends gallery and online.

Château de Menthon-St-Bernard via the hamlets

Slightly further than the others, this 2-hour hike offers magnificent views of Lake Annecy and its mountains. At the highest point, you reach an altitude of 600 metres. Take good shoes and discover the small hamlets of "Ramponnet" and "Les Moulins", passing by the majestic Château de Menthon.

Saint-Eustache: the Laudon loop

This hike follows the Laudon river before offering panoramic views of the mountains and lake. The route takes 4 hours 30 minutes, which makes it less enjoyable for children. You can buy a picnic lunch at the supermarket opposite the church in Saint-Jorioz, the starting point. The trail is a mix of forest, open plains, countryside and history.

The Chalet des Auges

Need a bit of height? Then this is the hike for you. At over 1,700 metres at the highest points, the panoramic views of Mont-Blanc and the surrounding mountain ranges will leave you breathless. The trail has a restaurant at the car park and a refuge at the top for refreshments and snacks. This hike is accessible to children, provided they are good walkers.

The old Mont Veyrier cable car

Offering some of the best views of Lake Annecy and the surrounding mountains, this is one of the most beautiful walks on the lake. This is one of the most beautiful hikes on the lake, and amateurs are warned: this is no Sunday stroll, but a technical and challenging route.