Col de Leschaux, with Scenic Route Down

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Annecy, Rhône-Alpes, FR

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BicycleCartographer

Savoring the Annecy Lake Region

40 km

708 m

The Col de Leschaux is one of the easier climbs, and a good one for a light day or early in the season. This route climbs a bit higher after the col, in order to take the most scenic route down, with Annecy Lake revealing itself closer and more spectacular each time you turn the corner.

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# Ride at a Glance
**Start and end point**: Downtown Annecy, in front of the majestic neoclassical @photo[Town Hall.](1024674)

**Difficulty** Advanced beginner/Intermediate. A long, steady climb to the top of Col de Leschaux, and some winding descents.

**Climbing index**  The road to the top of the Col climbs about 500 meters over 12 kilometers, averaging about 4% with a maximum grade of 7% to 8%.

This route starts at the @poi[Town Hall](1300419) in the center of Annecy. With your back to the Town Hall, make a left onto the sidewalk. Cross the bridge and then turn left onto Quai de La Tournette.

The first section of the route is on a path with mixed pedestrians and bicycles, and then you'll be on a dedicated bike path. If there are throngs of tourists, you can bypass the shared section  by taking the Rue des Marquisats to the marina, then picking up the bike path there.

A little more than four kilometers into the ride, you'll see a church in the distance on the right. Make a right turn onto Route des Avollions, which takes you on calm roads to the national road. Turn left on this busy road, and then briefly ride on this busy road until the turnoff for Col de Leschaux on the right.

From there, a gentle, steady @slice[12-kilometer climb ](d,5040.38,16850.18)to the Col de Leschaux. For the first half of the ascent, you can enjoy views of Annecy Lake on the left through the trees. On the second half, rolling hills dotted with houses unfold below.

Halfway up, you'll pass the @poi[Monument Pierre Lamy. ](1250485) It's a good place for a brief rest stop if you need one.  As you crest to the top, you'll see a @poi[fountain](1250134) on your right, and a @poi[pottery expo](1250486). To your left, right before the turnoff, is the @poi[Restaurant La Baratte](1250135) which has a terrace where you can enjoy a cold drink before continuing on.

The next part of the ride takes you on some ups and downs until the little town of La Chapelle St. Maurice, and then through St. Eustache and its Town Hall.  After that, a downhill with a @point[right turnoff](d,22953.63) that takes you on the "route touristique" or scenic route. The right turn onto a steep hill up comes with little warning, so be sure to be ready to shift gears quickly.

The route climbs, past cows and sheep and meadows, another 1.5 kilometers. You'll pass a water fountain on your left, then the @poi[Fromagerie du Cruet](818706127261730865000000), with local cheeses.

Just after the village of Puget, you crest over the top. Be sure to stay left, following @photo[signs to St. Jorioz.](977266) After the turn, you have nothing left to do but savor a long, glorious descent with panoramic views of Annecy lake ever-closer with each bend.

About 30 kilometers into the ride, you reach the bottom of the descent, and enter a @point[roundabout at St. Jorioz. ](d,30292.96)Cross the roundabout and take a left onto the bike trail. From there, a flat nine kilometers, the lake resplendent on your right, back to the Town Hall.

## Food, Water and Bathrooms
Please note that some of the bathrooms, fountains and casual dining options on this list are open only in warmer months. This list is in order of appearance on the route.

@poi[**Public bathrooms**](1300419)  At the Town Hall, just as you start, public bathrooms down a staircase. There is also parking here in case you want to drive in to start your ride.

@poi[**Auberge du Bessard L'Oasis**](1286383)  Restaurant offering lakefront dining or a little kiosk for snacks and cold drinks, open in warmer months. Next door there is another restaurant, also with lakefront dining, called the Bodega.

@poi[ **Water Fountain** ](1286894)Public water fountain on the bike trail.

@poi[**Leschaux Public Water Fountain**](1250134) As you crest up the hill, you'll see a public fountain on your right. It's marked "non-surveillée," meaning it isn't regularly tested. However, cyclists drink from it regularly and I haven't heard of any issues.

@poi[ **La Barratte**](1250135) Telephone: 04 50 32 03 58. Café and restaurant which is a favorite stopping point for many cyclists. You can just get cold drinks, or order something more substantial. Cyclist friendly, and happy to refill my water bottle from the tap.

@poi[**Bar/Restaurant in La Chapelle St. Maurice**](1250487) I am not sure of the name of this place, but if you're thirsty on the climb, now's the time.

@poi[**Water Fountain**](1250504) There is a water fountain on your left, just before the Fromagerie. It looks like a fountain used by locals cooperatively, or it may belong to a resident. Not sure of water quality.

@poi[**Fromagerie du Cruet**](818706127261730865000000) 99 route de la Croix Blanche, Hameau du Cruet, Saint-Eustache
Telephone: 04 50 32 00 02. A dairy cooperative with many local cheeses.

@poi[**Les Crêpes de Dame Kerlou** ](1286895)Very friendly Brittany style crêperie with outdoor seating. As you can see from the photo there is a sign that says "don't hesitate to bring your bicycles inside." Score!

## Sights

@poi[**Hôtel de Ville**](1300420) This is your start point, Annecy's Town Hall. Built in the mid-1880s, this impressive building with is an example of neoclassical architecture. It has public bathrooms, and parking underneath.

@poi[**Monument Pierre Lamy** ](1250485)This unremarkable statue commemorating a Savoyard hero of the French resistance during World War II marks the halfway point up the Col des Leschaux. The border of the statue makes a comfortable place to sit for a few moments and rest, and there's a pedestrian trail heading down toward the lake; not sure how far it goes.

@poi[**Pottery Expo**](1250486)  At the top of the Col there's a small pottery show with work from a local artist, with objects on sale. The artist was present when I visited.

## Beaches and Picnic Areas

@poi[**Public Beach** ](1286380) Free public beach with grassy expanse to sit and relax. No lifeguard. Free, and a  bit less crowded than the well-known beach near the Imperial and the other two beaches a bit closer into town. Good place for a picnic or a swim.

## Bike Shops

@poi[**Sévrier Sport**](1250484) 65, Place de la Mairie, Sévrier.  Just a few hundred yards off the bike path, next to the church and the Sevrier pharmacy. You'll pass it on your way from the bike path to the start of the climb to Col des Leschaux. Open every day 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Telephone: 04 50 52 42 68. This shop has a wide range of rentals available--including high-performance bikes and trailers to haul a child in behind your bike. It's friendly, and handy if you have a flat or mechanical problem on the bike trail.

## Important Reminders

There are some winding turns on the downhill. Keep your speed under control, and be especially careful if the pavement is wet. On the bike trail, stay a steady course and do not veer to the left without looking first.

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Col de Leschaux, with Scenic Route Down

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