Aravis et Bornes walks

A lovely, varied walk with undergrowth, meadows and small villages, with the added bonus of the Angon waterfall and superb views of the lake, La Tournette and the Dents de Lanfon.

The ridge trail from Mont Veyrier to Mont Baron overlooks Lake Annecy from a height of over 800 metres and offers panoramic views of the Bauges peaks. ⚠️ A decree issued by the municipalities of Annecy and Veyrier-du-Lac prohibits motorised vehicles from accessing the Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet.

Tête Noire, Tête Ronde and Tête de l'Arpettaz: three peaks overlooking the southern end of the Glières Plateau. The hike takes you through a fairly wild and unfrequented part of the peaks surrounding the famous historic plateau. Magnificent 360° view.

Hike offering superb views of the Massif des Bornes, Lake Annecy and Mont Blanc.

This loop trail runs through the suspended valley of Montmin and takes you to the monument of the Seven Fountains (1642), a Christian building with a very unusual design.

This is a classic destination in the Combes des Aravis, allowing you to visit two pretty combes linked by a remarkable natural curiosity.

Beautiful hike with views of the Tournette and Lake Annecy.

This balcony route offers beautiful views of the Aravis mountain range, La Giettaz and the Arrondine valley, all facing Mont Blanc.

A superb hike that begins in a valley in the Aravis mountain range and ends with a breathtaking finale and a 360° panorama of the Northern Alps.

A magnificent hike in the mid-range mountains with views of Lake Annecy and a 360° panorama of the Northern Alps and Mont Blanc from the summit. (__Caution__) read this article before embarking on this loop.

There is an alternative route to the "classic" route to Lac de Lessy, which is much less frequented. No particular difficulties (no ladders).

La Croix Cartier is a very pleasant hike for families, offering magnificent 360° views.

This hike will introduce you to the flora and fauna of the Alps. Depending on the time of year, you can meet the inhabitants of these mountains and taste their delicious cheeses.

A bit of history and prehistory for the whole family amid the waterfalls. An easy, educational walk through the Ice Age and the French Revolution with a detour to see some waterfalls.

Between showers, with temperatures rather cool for what was supposed to be spring, we enjoyed a short walk in familiar surroundings, but the route was as enchanting as ever.

Le Parmelan, via the Col de Perthuis and return via the Petit MontoirVaried landscapes passing through green pastures, dense forests, rocks and impressive sharp limestone pavements on the summit.

A beautiful hike on the Savoyard side of the Aravis, with pastures, streams, sun-baked wooden chalets and Mont Blanc sparkling in the sun. Yellow markings and directional signs.

This grassy peak does not present any technical difficulties. From the summit, there is a beautiful view of the Aravis and the Bouchet valley. This is an ideal hike for a family outing and is easily accessible in winter with snowshoes.

Le Parmelan, via a slightly less traditional route. At the summit, sharp limestone pavement, Grotte de l'Enfer (and other caves), Mont Blanc range.

This hike is interesting in both summer and winter. On snowshoes after a good snowfall, on a beautiful sunny day, the forest passages offer opportunities for beautiful photos.

This is a short, easy loop with beautiful views of Le Grand Bornand, Mont Lachat, the Combes des Aravis and the Balme and Fernuy slopes, as well as Lac des Confins on the way back. There is a possible variation to the Tête du Danay.

The Lac de Lessy, located in a valley at the foot of the Jallouvre, Buclon and Aiguille Verte mountains, is well worth a visit. The route takes you up and down hills, offering magnificent panoramic views.

Starting from the Col de la Colombière, the Pointe de Balafrasse is a hike that passes by Lac de Peyre. Panoramic view of the Aravis mountain range and the Mont Blanc massif if the clouds are not too thick. No technical difficulties except perhaps for those who are afraid of heights after the Col de Balafrasse between (3) and .

An easy, shaded walk with two waterfalls along the way. Ideal for families and on hot days, with a beautiful view of the Parmelan.

A beautiful loop to a little-known peak between Aravis and Beaufortain, particularly scenic. The climb is steep but the return loop via the little Croisse Baulet is enchanting, like a balcony with exceptional views of the Mont Blanc massif. It can get a little crowded on the way back as it can be reached in an hour from the Jaillet cable car.

A hike that will take you to Lac de Lessy, then to the Aiguille Verte du Chinaillon. The terrain is varied: mountain pastures, forests, scree, sharp limestone pavements, etc. The landscape is equally varied, culminating in the summit, which offers a 360° panorama of the Bornes, Aravis and Mont Blanc massifs. The area is also ideal for encountering the many ibexes that inhabit the massif.

Snowshoe circuit on the vast Glières Plateau. Besides the historical aspect, the Glières Plateau is interesting to visit because the mountains that surround it are strong points of reference.

A bucolic hike in the middle of a huge mountain pasture. The Maroli valley climbs gently to the sound of cowbells. At the top, the Crêt des Annes offers an exceptional view of the Aravis and the surrounding mountains, and the artificial lakes of Maroly and La Cour are also very charming.

This is an unusual route to the summit of Sulens, which takes you up the steep grassy face of the east slope. This trail is not "yet" marked on IGN maps... but is clearly visible on IGN Satellite. A good reason to use it before it becomes too well-travelled... At the summit: panoramic view of the Aravis mountain range, the Mont Blanc massif...

This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Arve Valley, offering a wide variety of flora, fauna and geology.

It is undoubtedly its proximity to Annecy that makes this mountain a place where hikers can find comfort after a more or less strenuous hike.

This is a fairly easy short loop for families, stopping at the Croix de Fer for a superb view of Mont Blanc and the surrounding mountains.

This hike offers several different views of the mountains. The climb is gradual and takes you through alpine pastures. The descent is mainly through forest. There are some beautiful views, particularly of the Aravis mountain range, Mont Blanc and La Tournette.

Un itinéraire assez facile, mais qui offre une jolie vue arrivé au sommet, avec une table d'orientation.

Short, easy route to discover the beautiful village of La Clusaz from different perspectives. Follow the signs for the “Tour du Village".

This is one of the most accessible "mountains" around Lake Annecy. ⚠️ A decree issued by the municipalities of Annecy and Veyrier-du-Lac prohibits motorised vehicles from accessing the Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet.

A little-used ridge route, mainly in forest, with a beautiful alpine climb. A few views of Lake Annecy, Mont Veyrier and the Dents de Lanfon. ⚠️ A decree issued by the municipalities of Annecy and Veyrier-du-Lac prohibits motor vehicles from accessing the Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet.

Atteindre le Plateau de Beauregard par un itinéraire plus sauvage et moins fréquenté offrant des vues sur la Chaîne des Aravis et le Mont Lachat. De la Pointe de Beauregard à la Croix de Colomban, profitez de points de vue panoramiques.

A circular walk to the Gramusset Refuge through great limestone scenery.

This loop offers beautiful panoramic views of the Mont Blanc range, the Arve Valley and the Aravis range from a balcony trail.

Depart from the Col des Annes, pass by the Refuge de la Pointe Percée, then by the Col des Verts. Camp at the Gouille des Fours, where ibex have made their home, with a magnificent view of Mont Blanc.

A great walk for the family. You can choose between going to the lake and back or going right up to the top. The latter is easier than it looks and is actually less steep than the ascent to the lake.You will be rewarded with magnificent views.

A circular hike to enjoy the Belvédère de Pierre Taillée viewpoint overlooking the Filière valley. The route is varied, through forest and then along the river. The village of Usillon is the starting point for the Glières plateau, another popular hiking destination.

This circuit passes through the Col du Marais, the Col de l'Épine and, after a beautiful descent, crosses Marlens. At the roundabout, a cycle path joins and runs alongside Lake Annecy, then climbs up the Côte de Talloires to reach Menthon-Saint-Bernard. All that remains is to climb the Col de Bluffy to reach the Thônes side.

This loop crosses La Roche Parnal and the Sous Dîne mountain. The hike passes through alpine pastures, cools off in the forest and crosses a few rocky passages, but without difficulty. You will encounter ibex, but above all, you will have a 360° panorama almost the entire time, stretching from the Jura to the Aravis and Mont Blanc ranges. However, this is a demanding route due to its length and elevation gain, although there are no technical difficulties. You can also choose to walk in the opposite direction to the one suggested here. (!) Please read the paragraphs (5): poorly visible trail and (6) cliffs, cables, ridges, ladder, rocky outcrops.

From the Combloux resort, starting from the Cuchet car park, complete a loop to discover the Jaillet via the Sommet des Salles and the Lac du Jaillet.Hike along a carriage road through pine forests, alpine pastures and ski slopes, with views of the Petit and Grand Croisse Baulet and the Mont Blanc range.

This cycle route climbs towards the Col de Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, then descends through the entire Vallée du Borne. Towards La Roche-sur-Foron, it then follows small roads before reaching the Col de Fleury. It descends to the village of Thorens-Glières, continues towards Aviernoz, and reaches the village of Naves-Parmelan. The route then turns towards Dingy Saint-Clair, La Balme de Thuy, and reaches the centre of Thônes via a cycle path.

A beautiful, easy hike on the Glières Plateau, offering clear views of the mountain pastures and the Notre-Dame des Neiges Chapel. There are many chalets and mountain farms with herds of livestock in summer.

I suggest a lovely walk in the south-western part of Mont Lachat, taking in a variety of landscapes and some interesting viewpoints in uncrowded areas. Please note that this is a challenging walk with difficult sections off the beaten track and exposed terrain where a misstep could be dangerous (see the practical information section).

From Gouille des Fours, head towards Lac de Tardevant via the Grande Forclaz and Ambrevetta passes, then return via alpine pastures and forests to La Pointe and Col des Annes.