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Tour of Lac d'Annecy.GR®P. Annecy Impérial Palace (450 m) – Refuge du Semnoz (1537 m). Stage 1
Description
This first day's hiking starts with a pleasant morning section alongside Lac d'Annecy before walking the forested slopes of the Semnoz.
Anti-clockwise itinerary
The forest changes its face as you climb, becoming rarer and rarer and giving way to a magnificent plateau with 360° views of the Aravis, Mont-Blanc, Bauges and Jura massifs.
Follow the lake in the direction of Annecy town hall, pass the Pont des Amours, cross at the traffic lights in the direction of the old prisons, pass in front of the Brasserie du Munich, turn left, at the Glacier des Alpes turn left and then right up the Cote Perrière, go to the Basilique de la Visitation, then at La Petite Jeanne, follow the GR© de Pays© du Tour du lac d'Annecy (yellow and red markings), overhanging the village of Sevrier.
chalet de Bénévent, then reach the Crêt de Châtillon... In winter, this family-friendly site is a great place for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Cross the mountain pastures to reach the Gruffy refuge.
Technical Information
Altimetric profile
Starting point
Points of interest
Date and time
- From 15/06/2026 to 30/09/2026
- From 15/06/2027 to 30/09/2027
Additional information
Environments
Mountain view
Forest location
Mountain location
Updated by
Conseil Départemental de la Haute-Savoie - 07/04/2026
hautesavoiemontblanc-tourisme.com/
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Open period
From 15/06 to 30/09.
Topo guides and map references
Map references :
Top 25 IGN 3431 OT and 3432 OT
Contact
Phone : 04 50 44 60 24
Email : accueil@sources-lac-annecy.com
Website : http://www.sources-lac-annecy.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/sources.lac.annecy.tourisme/
Tricky passages
Depending on weather conditions, some sections may be tricky.
Guidebook with maps/step-by-step
1) From Parking de l'Impérial, drive along the lake towards Annecy. Follow the signs for Les Marquisats.
2) At Les Marquisats, start the day's ascent by following the signs for Crêt de Chatillon. You'll pass the following places: Auberge de Jeunesse, Gaillard, Super Panorama, Bois Brulé, La Montagne (Nord), Croix du Crêt, Les Maréchaux, Chalet de Barbenoire, La Montagne (Sud), Les Sables, Chalets de Sevrier, Chalet de Bénévant, Bénévant Ouest, Planay de la Dame and finally Les Charbonnières.
3) Once you've reached Crêt de Chatillon, the highest point on your tour of the lake at 1702 m, follow the signs for Chalet Nordique du Plateau.
4) Once you've reached the Chalet Nordique, head for the Chalets de Gruffy, the site of the Semnoz refuge. You'll pass by Chalets de Leschaux and Le Golet Rond.
Animals
No
Data author
