Holidays in Lake Annecy
Beautiful Lake Annecy: enjoy a summer holiday surrounded by high mountains, charming villages and the historic city of Annecy
- Crystal-clear waters
- Charming old town
- Enjoy outdoor activities
Walking in Lake Annecy
Lake Annecy at a glance
- French
- Euro (EUR)
- London Gatwick (LGW), Manchester Int. (MAN), Edinburgh (EDI), Bristol (BRS), London Luton (LTN)
- London St Pancras (QQS)
Travel included to Lake Annecy
Depart on: Saturday or Wednesday
Fly into: Geneva
Transfer time: approx. 1 hour by coach
Included in your walking holiday to Lake Annecy
- On holiday support and tailored advice over the phone from our Destination Expert based in France
- Access to Inghams Digital Resort Guide with things to do, walks and useful information on holiday
- Flights from the UK, transfers and accommodation
Walking in Lake Annecy
Walks and hikes
- Walking Trails:
- 362km of walking trails
- Terrain:
- Varies from lakeside promenades to mountain climbs
It doesn't get better than the sound of water gently lapping against the shores, sweeping vistas and charming villages, Lake Annecy offers all the tranquillity of lakeside living but is also home to the vibrant and historic city of Annecy. You can really enjoy the best of both worlds here and it's the same when it comes to walking. For those that prefer to stroll, take a wander along the lakes edge and stop at cafés and lakeside view pointss along the way or, for those up to the challenge, head for the mountains behind the lake where you'll get beautiful birds-eye views.
Our favourite self-guided walks in Lake Annecy



Our accommodations in Lake Annecy
Discover Lake Annecy
- Walk the historic part of Annecy city with its canals, cafes and markets to explore
- Cycle the Lake Annecy circuit and pass by beautiful lake side villages
- Make the most of the lake with activities on the water or lounge by its shores
From the crystal clear waters of Lake Annecy - known as Europe’s cleanest - to the picturesque villages circling the lake and its surrounding mountains, visiting Annecy in summer is like having multiple holidays in one. Hit the water by paddleboard, pedalo, boat or wakeboard, head up into the hills for views and explore the winding cobblestone streets of Annecy before heading into one of its breweries, bistros or fine dining restaurants. At the far end of the lake is the peaceful Talloires, a village with an ancient history; ideal for escaping the action and discovering the area’s quiet side.
As well as the city, lake and mountains, you’ll also get a taste of beach life on the shores of Lake Annecy, with over a dozen to choose from for a lazy day: Plage de La Brune and St Jorioz have sandy shores, while the Menthon-Saint Bernard is more of an outdoor swimming pool complex but in a natural setting and with fresh lake water, floating walkways, lifeguards and showers. Albigny beach, with its grassy sunbathing banks, is one of Annecy’s most popular, just a 20-minute walk from town. Or, make use of the public buses to take you to different spots around the lake. For some tranquility, the Talloires bay is sheltered from wind, with paddling pools for kids, as well as beach volleyball and bowls. The list goes on…
For a city, Annecy is tiny in size and easy to explore on foot; making it the ideal place for some sightseeing. From Annecy Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, to the Pont des Amours (lovers’ bridge) covered in padlocks, to 12th-century prison Palais de l’Ile, or exhibition space Bonlieu, Annecy is packed with history. When you’ve had enough history, dive into the food and drink scene. The seven Michelin stars in the region just go to show what a focus food is here, with the local bistros and cafés serving up equally as excellent un-starred plates and great value Savoie wine. Join the locals in strolling along the lake’s edge to digest…
For another history hit head to Talloires, a village based around a 9th century abbey with a more recent history of artists and writers (we’re talking the likes of Cezanne and Mark Twain) who came to Lake Annecy in search of beauty and inspiration.
Pedal around the lake on the mostly-flat 26-mile cycle path, or take out the hardest work and do it on e-bike. Serious riders can discover the numerous Tour de France stages that have passed by Annecy over the years, with Col de Leschaux a fantastic introductory climb. Mountain bikers will find their people at Le Semnoz bike park, with everything from fun trails to the long 1,300 metre downhill ride into Annecy.
Beyond the lake are rivers and nature reserves to explore. The Angon waterfall gives beautiful views over Lake Annecy and can be accessed by a trail from Talloires on the eastern shores. West of Annecy, and just under the medieval castle of Montrottier, is the Fier Gorge - a narrow and deep canyon that you can access on foot thanks to a sturdy footbridge through the deep-cut rocks.
Head up into the mountains and make tracks for a mountain hut, for cooler weather, big views and an Alpine treat once you arrive. The Aulp de Marlens hut is at the end of a meandering trail through forest and alpine pastures, with homemade cheese waiting for you. The hike from Aviernoz to cliff-top Parmelan Hut might be a hard slog up (around two hours) but is well worth the effort for the views. And setting out from the shores of Lake Annecy towards Praz d’Zeures, you’ll have views of Mont Blanc.
Getting around the lake in the summer
In July and August you can make use of the free shuttle bus "Mobil'ete' that departs from Annecy City and can take you East or West of Annecy (this is a locally run service that is subject to change).
Travel to Lake Annecy
Travel By air
Flights to Geneva depart on Saturdays or Wednesdays between 10 May - 4 October 2025 and 9 May - 17 October 2026
Fly to Geneva from:
- London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Bristol
Transfer times:
- Geneva airport: approx. 1 hour by coach
Private transfers and self drive options are available.
Travel By train
We offer holidays by train to Lake Annecy, which depart on a Wednesday and Saturday. The journey takes around 9 hours and 30 minutes.
On arrival, you will transfer to Lake Annecy by taxi/coach, which will take around 10 to 30 minutes depending on which hotel you are staying at.
On arrival, you will transfer to Lake Annecy by taxi/coach, which will take around 10 to 30 minutes depending on which hotel you are staying at.
The provisional outbound timings are:
-
London St. Pancras
-
Paris Nord
-
Paris Lyon
Change
-
Annecy
The provisional inbound timings are:
-
Annecy
-
Paris Lyon
-
Paris Nord
Change
-
London St. Pancras
Things to do in Lake Annecy





