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Collection of Alpine passes - Cycling itinerary
Description
This shortened, but no less ambitious, version of loop no.1 takes you on the roads of the Tour de France, with a list of passes that would make collectors drool: Forclaz, Marais, Croix Fry, Aravis & Colombière.
Along the way, discover the villages with their typical Aravis bell towers, alternating with the magnificent views offered by each of the different passes.
Cycling tip :
Possibility of dividing the program into 2 days from Thônes, or even 3 with the Colombière one-day round trip.
Idea for accommodation in Thônes :
Hotel de l'Hermitage with laundry facilities.
A relaxing break:
- In Manigod, the Lo Garajo concept café overlooking the mountains.
- A stop at La Clusaz, a village center worth visiting.
- A break on the descent of the Col de la Colombière.
- Services at Le Chinaillon or Le Grand-Bornand (shops, restaurants, accommodation, etc.).
For the variant:
- Cycle from Le Pâquier in Annecy to Veyrier-du-Lac.
- In Veyrier-du-Lac, stop off at the La Petite Reine bike café.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Additional information
Tips
Annecy Mountains topo-guide, on sale for €5 at the Thônes Cœur des Vallées Tourist Office and on the website.
Updated by
Office de Tourisme de Thônes Cœur des Vallées - 13/03/2026
www.thonescoeurdesvallees.com
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Environments
Mountain location
Open period
All year round daily.
Contact
Phone : 04 50 02 00 26
Email : infos@thonescoeurdesvallees.com
Website : https://www.thonescoeurdesvallees.com
Type of land
Hard coating (tar, cement, flooring)
Location complements
Departure from the Tourist Office, opposite the church.
Topo guides and map references
Topo guides references :
Annecy Mountains topo-guide, on sale for €5 at the Thônes Cœur des Vallées Tourist Office.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1. Thônes > Alex > Col de Bluffy: from the Tourist Office, take the D909 towards Annecy then Alex.
2. Col de Bluffy > Col de la Forclaz: 200m before the Col de Bluffy, turn left on the D169 towards Bluffy / Col de la Forclaz, then left on the D42 towards Col de la Forclaz.
3. Col de la Forclaz > Faverges-Seythenex: take the D42 towards Montmin, then the cycle path along the D1508 towards Faverges (left).
4. Faverges-Seythenex > Col du Marais: take the D12 towards Saint-Ferréol then Thônes.
5. Col du Marais > Manigod > Col de la Croix Fry > Col des Aravis: take the D12, D16 & D909.
6. Col des Aravis > La Clusaz > Saint-Jean-de-Sixt: make a U-turn on the D909, direction La Clusaz then Saint-Jean-de-Sixt.
7. Saint-Jean-de-Sixt > Col de la Colombière > Saint-Jean-de-Sixt: return to Col de la Colombière via the D4.
8. Saint-Jean-de-Sixt > Thônes: take the D909 towards Thônes.
Data author
