If you’re visiting Haute-Savoie, you won’t want to miss the Semnoz! A popular meeting place for the people of Annecy, the mountain is alive with hiking, snowshoeing and skiing in summer and winter alike. Discover the most beautiful trails on this famous mountain.
Just fifteen minutes fromAnnecy, the Semnoz massif stretches from the Chéran to the shores of Lake Annecy. With its magnificent mountain pastures and immense views of the Bauges massif, the Alps and the Jura , the Semnoz reveals all its charm to the rest of the region.
In the heart of the Haute-Savoie region, the Semnoz is sure to satisfy your every desire. From hiking and snowshoeing to skiing and mountain biking, the Semnoz is a paradise for outdoor activities. So what are the massif’s must-do trails? Here’s our selection of 4 hikes that’ll blow your mind.
1. Gruffy and Semnoz
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 4 hours
- Distance: 13.2 km
- Height difference: 1,158 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Let’s start this selection with a rather sporty hike to the Semnoz plateau via the village of Gruffy. The first part of the trail is through undergrowth, allowing you to take advantage of the cooler weather and escape the rising temperatures of summer.
Then comes the magic moment of any hike: the view opens up as you climb to the Crêt du Châtillon, offering a superb panorama of the highest peaks in Haute-Savoie. The arrival at Semnoz, with its superb crests, gives you a glimpse of the Savoyard hinterland: Bauges, Bornes, Aravis, Beaufortain, not forgetting the famous Mont-Blanc.
Good to know: there’s a high-altitude restaurant on the trail (Le Courant d’Ere) where you can stop for a bite to eat before continuing your ascent.
2. Around the Semnoz plateau
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Distance: 8.4 km
- Height difference: 405 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
A tour of the Semnoz Plateau is a must if you want to enjoy the most breathtaking views of the region. And if you’re just passing through Haute-Savoie, it would be a shame to leave without climbing the real summit of the Semnoz: the Crêt de Châtillon. At an altitude of 1,699 metres, the summit offers superb panoramic views of the Bauges and Aravis massifs, as well as the gigantic Mont-Blanc.
This is still a very popular spot for Annecy locals, so we advise you to avoid peak times and set off early. A high-altitude restaurant and direct cheese sales will also be available along the route. A great way to take a lunch break in the heart of nature and bring back the best local souvenirs.
3. Le Semnoz via Leschaux
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 4 hours
- Distance: 15.1 km
- Height difference: 801 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
From Leschaux, an alternative route takes you to the summit of the Semnoz, Crêt du Châtillon, then on to Crêt de Tertere, Crêt de la Grande Danne and finally the shores of Lake Annecy.
The trail takes in typical Haute-Savoie villages, and leads to superb views of the Massif des Bauges and the town of Annecy and its lake. Easy and accessible, it’s the ideal hike at Semnoz for a day of discovering the plateau combined with exploring Lake Annecy.
4. The Semnoz via the ridge path
Photo credit : Alltrails
- Duration: approx. 6 hours
- Distance: 16.3 km
- Height difference: 686 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
A final option for discovering the Semnoz is to do a loop starting from Annecy. This will give you a superb view of the lake for much of the hike.
Passing through Le Promontoire and La Croix du Chef-Lieu, this alternative route takes you on a less touristy trail, offering mountain panoramas, particularly of La Tournette. You’ll also enjoy a sublime view of Lake Annecy on the entire return journey.
Magnificent, sporty and boasting some of the region’s most breathtaking panoramas, the Semnoz hike will show you the different attractions of Haute-Savoie.