Walking in Lake Annecy

Walking Trails:
362km of walking trails

Terrain:
Varies from lakeside promenades to mountain climbs

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

  • An easy walk
  • Around 1.5 hours of walking

This walk offers fantastic scenery including views over Lake Annecy and on clear days, Lake Geneva and even the Mont Blanc. The Semnoz is a mountain above Lake Annecy which you can access to a certain point by bus.

  • A moderate walk
  • Approx. 4.5kms walking

This promontory towers 150 metres above Lake Annecy and the bay of Talloires. It has some challenging, steep steps in parts and you'll pass through the forest of Roc de Chere.

  • Moderate walk
  • Multiple routes available

Cascade is French for Waterfall, and the Cascade d’Angon is a much-loved element of the local landscape. There are three ways up (or down) from Talloires and Angon and you can vary your walk by taking a different route to the waterfall, including some of the flat paths along the lake, to create a circular walk.

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: 

  1. London St. Pancras

  2. Paris Nord

  3. Paris Lyon

    Change

  4. Annecy

The provisional inbound timings are:

  1. Annecy

  2. Paris Lyon

  3. Paris Nord

    Change

  4. London St. Pancras

Things to do in Lake Annecy

Visit the small city of Annecy, known as the 'Venice of the Alps', its canals, the old town and historical churches. The most famous buildings are the Palais de l’Isle and the Basilique de la Visitation above Old Annecy with a free exhibition of bells (usually from mid-May onwards).

The area was also associated with the French Resistance, the British agent Odette operated locally and the story of the Plateau de Glières, where resistance fighters were based and there was a big battle is told in the Resistance Museum.

The village of Talloires on the Eastern side of the lake was built around an 11th century abbey. The most well known castles in the area were built by the Dukes of Savoy including Annecy, Menthon-Saint-Bernard and Montrottier.

There's a flat cycle path around Lake Annecy and this scenic ride follows the outline of the lake with fantastic views across glistening water and towards pretty villages, castles and mountain peaks. The path also goes along to Albertville on an old rail track.

Visit the Bout de lac Nature reserve and enjoy woodland, meadows and marshes, and there's even an old tower giving an elevated view. The paths in the hills around Talloires offer great intermediate hiking and a chance to discover summer-time Alpine nature at it's best. Visit the Cascade d’Angon waterfall and the Roc de Chère Nature Reserve.

This impressive promontory above Talloires bay does not immediately look accessible for walkers, but it has trails throughout, a golf course and a restaurant. A day out exploring the Roc de Chere and Menthon Saint Bernard is a great way to spend a day of your holiday. Menthon Saint Bernard is also home to the Chateau de Menthon, an 11th century gorgeous castle.

There are many friendly and local cafés to choose from, all offering good coffee with croissants, as well as beer and cold drinks. 
There are a huge number of eating options, from humble to two Michelin stars, in and around the lake and the city itself. It's also worth going to Annecy and catching the market on Fridays. Talloires also has a local market on Thursdays (usually held 19 June to 26 Sept).

Lake Annecy has some great festivals throughout the summer season and we've listed a few of our favourites below. Please be aware that some events are ticketed and may need to be booked and paid for in advance, event dates are approximate and should be checked before booking.

  • Annecy Fête du Lac firework festival (usually held around the 1st of August)
  • Annecy International Animated Film Festival (usually held early to mid June)
  • Talloires Music Festival with fireworks (usually held around late Aug)

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