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Geneva to Annecy: Famous Climbs and Lesser-Known Passes
Tour length: 5 nights/6 days
Fitness Level:
This tour is for the avid riders who wish to do some of the most famous climbs in the Upper French Alps. It links three of the Alps’ most beautiful lakes: Geneva, Bourget and Annecy. You will follow the very same roads that your Tour de France heroes have sweated on.
The magic of this tour doesn’t end there! You’ll have plenty of Alpine specialties to taste, including Beaufort and Reblochon cheese, Savoy wines, Lake Geneva perches, and the intensely aromatic Chartreuse and Genepi.
If your party is made up of riders of various fitness levels, we have ways to accommodate everyone. An easier itinerary is available… hence, some of your group can follow the easier option until everyone regroups in the afternoon at the destination. Additionally, we can make the itinerary more accessible by providing e-bikes.
As this tour is highly customizable, we can adapt it by adding extra nights and rides and including other activities. Just e-mail us and let us know your requirements.
Trip begins in Geneva and ends in Annecy. Geneva is well-served by train and air.
Self-guided tour available May through October 2022. Starts any Friday or Saturday.
For groups of 4 or more: Start any day
Daily cycling distance ranges from 89 to 109 km. More leisurely routes are available.
Accommodation in 2- and 3-star hotels and a charming guest house.
Starting at 685 euros per person sharing a double room.
Itinerary
Arrive in Geneva at your leisure if you opt for the hotel option A+. The hotel for option A is located near our office, right across the border in France. In both cases, we recommend spending some time exploring Geneva, walking through the old part of town and along the lake.
We’ll meet you in the morning to provide you with your navigation kit (marked maps, roadbook, tourist information, and pre-loaded GPS) and go over the itinerary. By the same token—if you rent bikes from us—we’ll outfit you with bikes. The warm-up section of today’s ride will take you through quaint Swiss villages before crossing the border into France. Slightly further on, you will tackle the passes of Col de Richemond and Col de la Biche, both of which have recently been featured in the Tour de France. The stage ends in the charming town of Seyssel, which straddles the Rhône River.
The highlight of today’s route is the Grand Colombier, one of the most challenging climbs in the Upper French Alps. Making its Tour de France début in 2012, Colombier’s steepest section has a punishing gradient of 10.2%. The route will then take you along the shores of Lake Bourget, France’s largest lake, to the spa town of Aix-les-Bains.
Today’s ride will take you out of Aix-les-Bains and towards your destination through the beautiful Bauges Mountains, one of France’s best cycling playgrounds. Your GPS will take you on very quiet roads where you are bound to experience total silence with views over the nearby Aravis, Chartreuse, and Belledone mountains. The big climb of the day is Mont-Revard, a 21 km/13-mile climb featured in the Tour 5 times. Your ride will end either in the small village of Tournon or Saint-Pierre-d’Albigny, depending on your hotel preference.
The final ride of the tour takes you to Annecy via the Olympic town of Albertville, home of the 1992 Winter Games. On your way, you will ride two of the famous climbs in the Upper French Alps. First up is the challenging Col des Saisies, with an ascent of around 15 km/9 miles and an average gradient of 6.4%. Next is the Col des Aravis, featured in the Tour almost 40 times; it is 12 km/7.5 miles long with an average gradient of 5%. For a truly relaxing end to your holiday, take a dip in Lake Annecy’s turquoise waters or simply sunbathe on its shores.
After breakfast, you’re free to depart at the time of your choice. Before you do, consider strolling through the old part of Annecy, one of France’s prettiest towns. If have to travel back to Geneva, using the Leman Express train network is by far the best solution.
Pricing
For groups of 4 or more: other departure dates are possible. As it is a highly customizable cycling tour, we can adapt it based on your requirements. Simply let us know more about dream cycling trip in the Alps and we’ll tell you what can be done.
Option A
- 685 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 240 euros
- 705 euros per person in May, June, and September. Single supplement is 250 euros
- 725 euros per person in July and August. Single supplement is 260 euros
Option A+
- 975 euros per person in April and October. Single supplement is 465 euros
- 985 euros per person in May, June, and September. Single supplement is 475 euros
- 5 nights’ accommodation as described above
- Daily breakfast
- 2 dinners (drinks are not included)
- Orientation meeting with one of our staff members
- Luggage transfers
- Marked maps and/or cue sheets and route notes
- Pre-loaded GPS unit (subject to availability) or GPX files
- Assistance if necessary (you will be provided with our local rep’s mobile number)
- All tax and service charges
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
- Bicycle rentals. Full-carbon racing bikes are available at the rate of 190 euros per bike. This price includes the drop-off fee for the bike’s return to Geneva.
Get More Info
Want to learn more about a tour? Complete the form below for a detailed description with route, mileage, and profile information, plus a list of hotels