Bout du Lac d'Annecy Nature Reserve

de fr

Created in 1974 to protect the last reed beds on Lake Annecy, it is home to remarkable flora and fauna. An educational trail takes you around the site in about an hour, through unspoilt natural areas with beautiful views of the nearby peaks of Les Bornes and Les Bauges. You will find magnificent views of the lake, observatories and educational panels.

Details

n°3191608
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.17 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 14 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 14 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 461 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 447 m
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Photos

Viewpoint overlooking the lake
View of the lake
The Beauvivier Tower
The Beauvivier Tower

Description of the walk

Park in the nature reserve car park in the Roselière district.

(S/E) Start on the only fairly wide path that leads into the reserve. Quickly enter the woods and join the footbridge over the River Ire.

(1) Cross the footbridge and follow the sign for the beach and the port of Doussard. Continue on to reach the marina pier and the beach.

(2) Turn around and go back to the footbridge.

(1) Turn left and walk along the Ire, one of the rivers feeding Lake Annecy. Reach its mouth and enjoy thefirst view of the lake, surrounded by reed beds.

(3) Continue along the path following the lake towards the east to reach the Tour de Beauvivier, another viewpoint.

(4) Continue the circular path by following the path that starts behind the tower. Walk along the left bank of the Eau Morte river. Make a 90° turn to return to the footbridge crossroads.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route you took on the way there to easily return to the nature reserve car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 461 m - Nature reserve car park
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 451 m - Footbridge over the - Ire (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.34 - alt. 447 m - Doussard pier - Lac d'Annecy (Haute-Savoie)
  4. 3 : km 2.17 - alt. 447 m - Reed beds
  5. 4 : km 2.41 - alt. 447 m - Beauvivier Tower. Towards the left bank of the - Eau Morte (rivière)
  6. S/E : km 4.17 - alt. 461 m - Nature reserve car park

Notes

Accessible to visually impaired visitors.
Accessible by pushchair.
Please stay on the paths to protect the local flora and fauna.
No dogs allowed.
Bicycles prohibited.

This route passes through a protected area, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Mariiie21
Mariiie21

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk in the countryside, taking about an hour and a half including stops to read the information boards and take breaks. We did it in the late afternoon and heard wild boar noises right next to us in the reed beds, which was great! Beautiful scenery and a very pretty lake.

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Loic19
Loic19

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

No difficulty on this route. Numerous information boards line the route. We were lucky enough to see paragliders landing near the beach. We discovered the reed beds and their role in protecting the wildlife around the lake.

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Katie54
Katie54

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk. Beautiful views of the lake.

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guy marianne
guy marianne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely family walk. No difficulties. The first car park is a bit small. Don't
hesitate to park a little further away.

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rahali
rahali

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk, but quite challenging nonetheless. The scenery is magnificent.

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Vané01
Vané01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A shaded and well-maintained walk: much of the route is on wooden footbridges. Informative and educational signs are installed along the entire route.
The interest was limited because it was probably not the best time of year for wildlife, but there were nevertheless some nice views.

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rondeauyannick
rondeauyannick

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very easy, shaded route with beautiful views of the lake. Improved signage indicating the direction of the route would be welcome. Hikers taking the return route first. Difficulties passing each other in certain places, especially during the summer months of July and August.

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jemarche72
jemarche72

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy, pleasant and shaded hike; well-documented educational trail.
Unspoilt natural site with beautiful views of the peaks and the lake.
Access to Dossard beach and the hang gliding landing area.

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HNS 25220
HNS 25220

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A stroll rather than a hike, with a route that is already marked locally and fun descriptive signs.
Accessible to all (pushchairs, people with reduced mobility).
Binoculars are welcome (wildlife, flora, geological environment).
No specific walking equipment required: the route is almost entirely on wooden walkways.

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André1955
André1955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very attractive site for those who enjoy bird photography. There are also traces of wild boar everywhere.

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JohanPeter
JohanPeter

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The visit to the reserve is only the central part of the route and can also be done from the beach, making it a short but interesting walk due to its wild nature and explanatory signs.

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Lexr8
Lexr8

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very easy, more of a stroll than a hike. Not much of interest apart from Doussard beach. Good for passing the time while waiting for the bus...

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