Aravis Mountains and Lake Annecy Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in France | Self Guided Walking Holiday

The walking route in this spectacular mountain region takes you through many villages, which are authentic and well-preserved, and alpine meadows dotted with wooden chalets. The tour then leads you west through the mountains above Lake Annecy, an idyllically situated lake, and gives you time to explore both the town and its surrounding hills.

Grade: The walking is easy to moderate but you should be reasonably fit for the terrain.

Getting there:
Train via Paris to Annecy or fly to Geneva or Chambery then train to Annecy. From Annecy by bus or taxi to St Jean de Sixt.

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Day 1 Arrive St Jean de Sixt.

Day 2 St Jean de Sixt to Les Confins.
There are two options on the first day both going east and giving views of the main Aravis chain of mountains. The longer route takes you to the summit of the Tete du Danay at 1731 metres, an excellent viewpoint. ~ 3h or 4h30m

Day 3 Les Confins to Chinaillon.
Keeping the main mountain range on your right, including the highest peak, Point Percee, the path leads you round the head of the valley to the Col des Annes before heading west and descending to the delightful village of Chinaillon. ~ 6h

Day 4 Chinaillon to Le Grand Bornand.
Two alternative routes are offered, the shorter through the meadows and woods, whilst the longer takes in the ridges of the Aiguille Verte and the Col de la Forclaz before rejoining the lower route. ~ 4h or 6h30m

Day 5 Le Grand Bornand to Thones.
Another day with options after first returning to St Jean de Sixt. The shorter route follows a path through alpine meadows whist the longer again takes in a summit, the Pointe de Beauregard, with fine views of both the Aravis and the Mont Blanc group beyond. ~ 5h30m or 7h

Day 6 Montremont to Annecy.
The day begins with a transfer to Montremont, then you climb up to the Col des Nantets from where the beautiful panorama overlooking Lake Annecy opens up. You descend gradually to the lake shore at Talloires from where you catch the boat to Annecy. ~ 5h30m

Day 7 Circular walk.
With two nights in Annecy the choice is yours but a lovely walk we recommend involves getting the bus to the Col de Bluffy and then walking back by way of the ridges of Mont Baron and Mont Veyrier, two superb viewpoints. ~ 5h

Day 8 Departure.

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