Annecy
Alpine lake town, Critérium du Dauphiné base, gateway to the Aravis climbs.
Overview
Cycling in Annecy
Ringed by mountains and centred on its turquoise lake, Annecy pairs a flat, car-free lakeside path with serious climbing on the Col de la Forclaz, the Semnoz and the Montée du Plateau des Glières. It's an ideal base for riders who want family-friendly miles and Tour-grade cols from the same town.
Why it works as a base
Annecy sits at the top of its lake, and the valley floor does very little for you. The flat kilometres along the water are a warm-up; then the road tips up. The Bauges rise straight out of the western edge of town, the Bornes and the Aravis close the horizon to the east, and almost every ride here resolves into the same shape — spin out along the lake or the Fier, climb for an hour or more at a steady grade, descend, come home. It suits riders who prefer sustained cols to short punchy hills, and who are happy to pace an effort by feel for sixty to ninety minutes.
The climb that pulls people to this base is the Col de la Colombière. The one you can reach in a lunch break is Le Semnoz, which starts from Les Balmettes on the edge of the city, and Col des Aravis fills out the classic east-side loop. There is bike hire in town, so arriving with luggage and no bike bag is a workable plan, and stopping mid-ride for a coffee is normal practice here rather than a detour.
Cycling in Annecy at a glance
| Nearest airport | Annecy Meythet airport (NCY), 4 km |
|---|---|
| Climbs within 50 km | 32 |
| Signature climb | Col de la Colombière — 17.1 km, 6.6%, +1124 m |
| HC / Cat-1 climbs | 20 |
| Rental shops in town | 37 — ranking |
| Bike hire | 15–150 €/day |
| Cycling cafés in reach | 15 — ranking |
| Best season | May–October |
| Main event | dVelos Lac d'Annecy — 3 October 2026 (two-day cyclosportive weekend at Saint-Jorioz on the lake: Semnoz hill-climb time trial plus road and gravel courses into the Bauges massif) |
Climbs
The best cycling climbs near Annecy
Iconic ascents within riding distance.
Col de la Mallebranche
11.8 km · 2.8% · +329 m
French Alps · 11.7 km away
Le Semnoz
17.7 km · 6.5% · +1152 m
French Alps · 12.2 km away · 2 approaches
Col de la Forclaz
9.1 km · 7.4% · +669 m
French Alps · 13.5 km away · 2 approaches
Col d’Évires
9.0 km · 2.9% · +256 m
French Alps · 18.9 km away
Col de la Croix Fry
11.7 km · 7% · +817 m
French Alps · 21.6 km away · 2 approaches
Col du Sapenay
9.6 km · 6.8% · +656 m
French Alps · 21.8 km away · 2 approaches
Col des Aravis
11.6 km · 4.9% · +563 m
French Alps · 26.2 km away · 2 approaches
Col des Confins
6.1 km · 5.5% · +335 m
French Alps · 27.6 km away
Col du Grand Colombier
17.7 km · 7.1% · +1252 m
Jura · 28.5 km away · 2 approaches
Col de la Colombière
17.1 km · 6.6% · +1124 m
French Alps · 28.8 km away · 2 approaches
Col de Plainpalais
14.6 km · 6% · +875 m
French Alps · 29.3 km away · 2 approaches
Col de la Biche
6.0 km · 9.3% · +560 m
Jura · 30.1 km away
Le Semnoz from Les Balmettes is 17.7 km at 6.5% for 1152 m of gain, steepening to 12.2%, a category 1 climb whose foot lies twelve kilometres from the centre. That proximity is the point: long enough to be a real test, close enough to be a Tuesday. The Col de la Colombière from Scionzier is the headline — 17.1 km at 6.6%, 1124 m to a summit at 1613 m, with a maximum of 14.3% in the closing stretch, where the road leaves the trees and the average stops telling the truth.
Rentals
Bike rental in Annecy — ranking and prices
Top-rated local shops that rent to visiting cyclists.
Vélo du Lac
Our pickPrice list
| Bike | 1 day | 4 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vélo de ville (City bike) · urban | 24 € | — | — |
| Vélo fitness (Fitness Bike) · urban | 29 € | — | — |
| Longtail électrique (LT – Ebike) · e-bikes | 70 € | — | — |
| Vélo électrique (Ebike) · e-bikes | 52 € | — | — |
| Tandem · other | 58 € | — | — |
| Vélo de course et Gravel (Road and Gravel bike) · road | 79 € | — | — |
4.7/5 from 783 Google reviews puts it among the area's most trusted. Rents urban, e-bike, road, gravel bikes. Day rates from 79 €, bookable online.
Price list
| Bike | 1 day | 4 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vélo adulte Scott · urban | 25 € | — | — |
| Vélo électrique adulte · e-bikes | 49 € | — | — |
| Vélo gravel MARIN · gravel | 45 € | — | — |
| Vélo de route carbone Scott Addict 50 · road | 65 € | — | — |
| Vélo gravel carbone Scott Addict Gravel 40 · gravel | 59 € | — | — |
| Vélo cargo électrique · other | 65 € | — | — |
Riders rate it 4.9/5 across 227 Google reviews. Rents urban, e-bike, gravel, road bikes (Scott). Day rates from 65 €, bookable online.
Price list
| Bike | 1 day | 4 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vélo de Ville A200 Comfort · urban | 9 € | — | — |
| Vélo de Ville A200 Diamant · urban | 9 € | — | — |
| Vélo de Ville A200 Voyage · urban | 9 € | — | — |
| RiverSide Velo enfant · urban | 9 € | — | — |
| Riese & Müller Charger GT · e-bikes | 29 € | — | — |
| Adris L'aventure · gravel | 29 € | — | — |
4.9/5 from 166 Google reviews puts it among the area's most trusted. Rents urban, gravel, e-bike, road bikes (Adris, Riese & Müller). Day rates from 35 €, bookable online.
Cafés
Cycling cafés in Annecy — where riders stop
Strictly cyclists' cafés — genuine meeting points, not just good coffee.
Rated 4.9/5 by 83 Google reviewers. For riders: secure bike storage, club rides. There is a workshop on site.
5.0/5 across 671 Google reviews. For riders: route advice and GPX files, a tool station.
Alpes Aventures - La Clusaz || Location et Atelier vélo | Bistro - Bar & Café vélo
Third place4.8/5 across 317 Google reviews. For riders: a workshop, club rides.
Season
When to cycle in Annecy — season month by month
The comfortable window runs from April through October. Days climb from 15.3°C in April to 26.3°C in July and 26.0°C in August, then hold at 21.2°C in September and 16.9°C in October, so a col in high summer is warm at the bottom and pleasant at the top. Nights in April and October (5.0°C and 8.6°C) mean an early start wants a jacket you can stuff in a pocket. December to February is the cold end — days of 6.1°C to 8.9°C, nights at or below freezing — which makes the high passes a hard sell; March, at 11.7°C, is the turning point. May is on average the wettest month of the year, which tells you nothing about the week you actually book.
| Month | Day | Night |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.1 °C | -0.3 °C |
| Feb | 8.9 °C | 0.6 °C |
| Mar | 11.7 °C | 2.4 °C |
| Apr | 15.3 °C | 5.0 °C |
| May | 18.4 °C | 9.0 °C |
| Jun | 23.5 °C | 14.0 °C |
| Jul | 26.3 °C | 16.3 °C |
| Aug | 26.0 °C | 16.1 °C |
| Sep | 21.2 °C | 12.5 °C |
| Oct | 16.9 °C | 8.6 °C |
| Nov | 10.5 °C | 3.7 °C |
| Dec | 7.7 °C | 1.3 °C |
Travel
Getting to Annecy with a bike — airports, trains, transfers
No airport close enough to be useful.
Flying with your bike? Most airlines charge €50-150 for bike boxes. Check baggage policies before booking. See verified fees for every carrier →
TRAVEL TIPS
- Flying with a bike? Most airlines charge €50-150 for bike boxes. Book bike transport when you book your ticket.
- Train travel: Many European trains accept bikes with advance reservation. Check Trainline or DB for bike-friendly routes.
Annecy Meythet airport (NCY) sits 4 km from town — a taxi ride measured in minutes rather than a transfer with a plan attached. You can be at your accommodation before you would have finished queuing at a bigger airport. That short hop also makes hiring locally a genuine alternative to flying your own machine: bike hire exists in town, so you can travel with a wheel bag's worth of shoes, pedals and kit, pick something up on arrival and ride Le Semnoz the same afternoon. Bring your own bike and the distance from the terminal is short enough that you can reassemble it at the hotel rather than in the car park.
Explore
Things to Do in Annecy
Top-rated activities and experiences for your rest days.
Annecy Food Tour – A Full French Meal Experience by Do Eat Better
Annecy Segway Tour - 1h
Annecy Segway Tour - 1h30
Annecy Two Hour Insider Walking Tour With Local Guide
Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Annecy with a Local
Annecy Segway Tour - 2h
FAQ
Cycling in Annecy — frequently asked questions
How many climbs are there around Annecy?
There are 32 catalogued climbs within 50 km of Annecy, including 20 rated HC or Category 1. The signature ascent is Col de la Colombière.
When is the best time to ride in Annecy?
May, June, July offer the best riding temperatures. Around 9 months a year are warm enough to ride (ERA5 normals, 2015–2024).
Can you ride in Annecy in winter?
January averages only 6 °C daily highs — Annecy is a season destination, not a winter one.
Where can I rent a bike in Annecy?
37 shops within 12 km of Annecy have verified bike rental, rated 4.6/5 on average. Our ranking lists them with prices and fleets where the shops publish them.
How much does bike rental cost in Annecy?
Published day rates in Annecy run from 15 to 150 EUR across 17 shops whose price lists we read — every figure is backed by a quote from the shop's own site.
What is the nearest airport to Annecy?
Annecy Meythet airport (NCY), 4 km away; the nearest major hub is GVA at 38 km.
Are there cycling cafés in Annecy?
15 verified cycling cafés operate within riding distance of Annecy — places with proof of bike racks, workshops or club rides, not just a name.
How do I get my bike to Annecy?
By rail with SNCF: bike €10 (bike space) / free bagged. Budget airlines take boxed bikes for 45–80 € per flight — our bike-transport table lists every carrier with verified fees.
What is the Col de la Colombière climb like?
Col de la Colombière runs 17.1 km at 6.6% for 1124 m of ascent, topping out at 1613 m, with a maximum of 14.3%. It is the climb riders travel to Annecy for — the climb page carries the profile and every approach we have measured.
Which climb near Annecy is the hardest?
Mont du Chat — 12.1 km at 8.6%, category 1, 1045 m of ascent. Category comes from our own scoring (average gradient squared × length), so it is comparable across every climb on the site.
Is Annecy a good place for a beginner climber?
Yes, Annecy works for a first mountain trip, as long as you accept that the easy riding and the climbing are separate things. The lakeside gives you flat, low-stress kilometres to build volume, and Col des Aravis from Flumet is the gentlest of the big local names at 11.6 km, 4.9% average and +563 m — a cat 2 you can ride at conversation pace. Leave Le Semnoz and Col de la Colombière for later in the trip, once the legs have adapted.
How many days are worth planning for a cycling trip to Annecy?
Plan four to five riding days in Annecy as a realistic minimum, a full week if you want the whole region. A short stay covers Le Semnoz, which starts on the doorstep, and Col de la Colombière, which needs a transfer of about 29 km. Longer opens up Col des Aravis, Col du Grand Colombier and Cormet de Roselend — the last sits some 49 km away and deserves an unhurried day of its own, with a recovery day either side.
What gearing and kit does the terrain around Annecy ask for?
Bring lower gearing than you think you need in Annecy — a compact chainset with a wide-range cassette is the sensible default. The climbs are long rather than short, and maximum pitches of 14.3% on Col de la Colombière or 22.1% on Col du Grand Colombier arrive when you are already deep into the effort. The descents matter as much as the ascents. Summits sit well above the valley, and air at 1613 m or 1968 m is far cooler than the lakeside reading, so a packable jacket and something for your hands belong in the pockets even in high summer, when valley days reach 26°C.
Can I go cycling in Annecy without bringing my own bike?
Yes — arriving in Annecy without a bike works perfectly well, since hire is available in town. Book ahead for peak summer weeks, and ask about gearing when you do: the local climbs are unforgiving of a narrow range. Annecy Meythet airport (NCY) sits about 4 km from the centre, so a bike-free arrival and a same-day first ride are entirely realistic.
Explore Annecy
Download routes, book accommodation, and start your cycling adventure.