The 4 most beautiful hikes to do in Semnoz

If you're on your way to Haute-Savoie, you can't miss the Semnoz! The mountain, the top place of the Annéciens, lives in summer as winter at the pace of hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. Discover now the most beautiful trails of this famous mountain.

Only 15 minutes away Annecy , the Semnoz massif takes root from the Sheran to the shores of Lake Annecy. It is with beautiful pastures as well as a huge horizon on the massif of the Bauges, the Alps and the Jura that the Semnoz reveals all its charm on the rest of the region.

In the heart of Haute-Savoie, this place will be sure to answer every desire. It is very simple, between hiking, snowshoeing, skiing or mountain biking, the Semnoz represents the paradise of outdoor activities. What are the essential routes of the massif? Here is our selection of 4 hikes that will give you full view.

1. Gruffy and Semnoz

Start this selection with a rather sporty hike leading you to the Semnoz plateau by the village of Gruffy. The first part of the trail is made of undergrowth allowing you to enjoy the freshness and the same opportunity to escape the rising temperatures at the arrival of the summer.

Then comes the magical moment of any hike: the view emerges by climbing to the crêt du Châtillon offering a superb panorama of the highest peaks of Haute-Savoie. The arrival at the Semnoz with its superb peaks will make you discover the savoyard hinterland consisting of the Bauges, the Bornes, the Aravis , from Beaufortain, not to mention the famous Mont-Blanc .

Good to know: You will find an altitude restaurant on the trail (the Courant d’Ere) allowing you to stop greedy before continuing your climb.

2. The Semnoz Plateau Tower

Uncontournable, the Semnoz plateau tower represents the hiking trail to get the most amazing views of the region. And if you are on the way to Haute-Savoie, it would be a shame to leave without climbing the true summit of the Semnoz: the Crêt de Châtillon. Located at 1,699 metres above sea level, the summit offers superb views of the Bauges, Aravis and its gigantic Mont Blanc.

The place remains very frequented by the Anneciens, which is why we advise you to avoid the hours of faintness and to leave early. An altitude restaurant and direct cheese sale will also be offered on the course. What to take a lunch break in the middle of nature and bring back the best local memories.

3. The Semnoz by Leschaux

At the start of Leschaux, another alternative is to lead you to the top of the Semnoz, the Crêt du Châtillon, and then continue to the Crêt de Tertere, Crêt de la Grande Danne to finally reach the shore of Lake Annecy.

The trail will make you discover typical villages of Haute-Savoie, and will lead you to beautiful views of the Massif des Bauges and the city of Annecy and its lake. Easy and accessible, it is the ideal hiking trip to Semnoz for a day to discover the tray married to the exploration of Lake Annecy.

4. The Semnoz through the ridge path

A final solution to discover the Semnoz is to make a loop from Annecy. This will allow you to get a great view of the lake for a good part of the hike.

By way of the Promontory and La Croix du Chef-Lieu, this alternative allows you to take a less tourist path and have access to mountainous panoramas especially on the Tournette. It is also a sublime view of Lake Annecy that will be offered to you on the entire return.

Magnificent, sporting and holding the most unmissable panoramas of the region is the Semnoz hike that will show you the various attractions of the Haute-Savoie.