ROAD BIKE RENTAL SPECIALIST
ANNECY FRANCE

Distance: 17,4 km / Start: Annecy (rue des Marquisats) / Elevation gain: 1221 m /Avg gradient: 7% / Max gradient: 10% for 950 m

Route 1 — The classic from Annecy (via Les Marquisats): The best-known option starts right in Annecy, with Les Marquisats marking the beginning of the climb. You’re in for just under 5 km through the forest, with steady ramps around 7% to warm up the legs. You then roll out into a wide, flat clearing: Les Puisots. Take a breath — the road gradually rises again at 2–5% for just under 5 km before the second half begins: no less than 8 km of consistent climbing between 9 and 11%. As the landscape opens onto the Semnoz resort area, you get a brief mental break — there are only 2 km left to reach the Crêt de Châtillon, and one final bend takes you to the col sign at 1,670 m, with a superb panorama over the Alps: Mont Blanc and the Bauges.

Distance: 18,3 km / Start: Seynod / Elevation gain: 1220 m / Avg gradient: 6,5% / Max gradient: 11,5% sur 1290 m

Route 2 — The toughest (via Quintal): For the second route — the hardest of the three — head out of Annecy towards Vovray, then Vieugy and Quintal. You’ll face a succession of short, punchy ramps (some at 8%) interspersed with flatter sections, with more than 7 km already covered before you even reach Quintal. From there, it’s on towards Semnoz. You take a 3 km connector that rejoins the main road — but what a segment: an opening pitch above 10%, a short easing to 6%, then a final section (a solid kilometre) over 11%. A brief flatter spot gives you just enough time to breathe before you’re back on the Semnoz road. There’s just under 8 km to go… but it’s almost constant at 9–11%. At the top, you’ve completed the Semnoz climb for the strong.

Distance: 25 km / Start: Sevrier / Elevation gain: 1230 m / Avg gradient: 5% / Max gradient: 8,5% sur 900 m

Route 3 — The longer, steadier way (via Leschaux): This ascent comes in two parts. The first, up to the Col de Leschaux, is a gentle and regular climb (around 4% on average) for nearly 12 km, with a max of about 5% over 1 km. A useful tip: just before the last 2 km, a sign on the right points to “La Bauche”. Follow it and let the road guide you through the village centre of Leschaux to reconnect with the Semnoz road. The views here reveal La Tournette, the Dents de Lanfon and Le Veyrier — breathtaking. Once in Leschaux, take a moment, because the second part begins: 13 km to the summit. The climbing stays steady, with the gradient hovering between 6 and 7%, and the scenery is magnificent — it really pulls you upwards. One warning though: the long straight sections along the south-facing cliff can turn into a heat trap on summer afternoons. A gentler stretch at 4–5%, shaded by trees, lets you relax before the finale: 2.5 km at nearly 8% that leads onto the alpages. Longer but calmer than the other routes, this option delivers stunning landscapes all the way up.