[Closed] Annecy riding

Tourist Office - that's what it's there for 😉

erm, thanks Heather. Kind of obvious I suppose. I was hoping for a bit more info, companies running guided trips etc.

The place is full of trails. One ends right at the start of the hill in town - up by the Youth Hostel - comes down that mountain. If you get directions to the Youth Hostel and keep on up that road to the bar/resturant at the top. You will find trails comming back down in the woods there.

I would just get a good map and find your own. If its your first trip you will be blown away - no need to get a guide, just read the map.

There's lots within easy striking distance of Annecy - such as Morzine etc.. but my suggestion would be to take your road bike.

The road biking in and around Annecy is excellent - Alpine climbs, passes, quiet roads, scene of epic battles in the Tour de France etc.

Plus, Annecy on a sunny weekend is a hotbed of roadie-ness. Lots of roadies out and about.

I'd move there tomorrow if I could! 🙂

(Well, maybe not, but you know what I mean).

I went to La Clusaz which is about a 45 minute drive away, has lifts and trails and stuff.

It was ok.

Just got an answer from someone over there:

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[i]MTB guides around here, I don’t use them so…
Let’s say:
- Maison du Vélo : http://www.lamaisonduvelo.com/vtt-annecy.php

Beginning of June, buses will start again to go up the Semnoz above
the city to ride the existing and signed DH back down to Annecy (17km).
(Sibra/ligne d’été MTB bus).[/i]
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Hope that helps

Try this, all in French, but the maps, routes and grades are easy to understand.

http://www.gaia-store.com/catalog/details_produit3.php?products_id=7022

Exactly what Digger90 said. Stunning place for road bike.....

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The signed DH route down Semnoz is a little uninspiring (although that was a few years ago and we'd pedalled up so were hoping for a more rewarding trail!). The bus goes from the bus/train station in town, which is the only stop that you were allowed to load a bike on.

There are clearly some decent local trails coming back down Semnoz. Just need to do some exploring.

La Cluzas is 45 mins away and def worth going to for a day if the lifts are open (prob not in May though). Avoid La Grand Bornand as the marked trails there are mostly fireroad.

If the Les Arcs/Bourg St Maurice funicular is running, you could head there for a day (about 90 mins away). The awesome Black 8 runs from top to bottom of the funicular. There are also some other decent ways back down if you follow an OS map.

Check in Annecy tourist info. There are some locally published XC trail routes (sorry i dont have a link to them). The one that hikes up Bluffy, goes across the cliff face and then descends back to the lake by the Angel(?) waterfall is a great natural ride.

Def the best advice is to get an OS map, pedal up a mountain on the road and then pick a downhill footpath. Most are rideable with very little hiking.

Take you own bike. The bikes I rented around there a few years ago were shocking. You do not want underpowered brakes out ther!

finners - Member
Exactly what Digger90 said. Stunning place for road bike.....

do a google search for VTT for off road options, but on road is where its at, tons of cafe's and great places to eat at the top of most Col's,
just grab a decent map from the tourist info, they usually do a little free booklet (i remember 2 years ago i picked one up) with roady routes, difficulties etc, most are actually signed anyway when on road. they also usually have VTT stuff to that costs a few EURO's. dont really need a guide to be honest. the VTT signage can be a bit tricky to spot, sometimes they are miles up in the air on a tree, but, they ARE there.

enjoy, wish i was back there too.