The Taillefer (in the foreground on the photo above, taken from the Ermitage de Saint-Germain) and the Montagne d’Entrevernes (background) are mountains in the Bauges Massif, on the western shore of Lac d’Annecy. This page details an itinerary similar to the one that I followed (except that, at Col de la Cochette, I stayed on the ridge instead of going down on the other side).
Mont Veyrier dominates the north-east side of Lake Annecy. This article describes the itinerary that I followed.
After returning from Japan, I spent the summer in Annecy, in the mountainous Haute-Savoie area of France. For my first hike, I went to Pointe de la Rochette and Rocher du Roux (actually, just a viewpoint nearby), near La Tournette (the highest mountain bordering Lake Annecy) in the Bornes Massif.
The Fier is a river that flows through Haute-Savoie and Savoie into the Rhône. Near Annecy, it has created a narrow canyon that is worth a look: The so called Gorges du Fier. The Castle of Montrottier is a medieval castle not far above the canyon, built to safeguard the crossing of the river.
On Monday, departing from Annecy-le-Vieux, I went up the Semnoz mountain (1699m) by bike, following the last part of the 20th stage of the next Tour de France. It was hard but the view at the summit was worth it.
I have been spending some time in Annecy since my return from Canada. Above, the prison in the Old Town of Annecy.
A couple of weeks ago, I took my bike on the Green Road ("Voie verte") from Annecy to Albertville. On the way back, I took a more scenic path through Col de Tamié.
Last sunday I went for a hike in a place called the “Cirque du Fer à Cheval”, in Haute-Savoie. It is surrounded by mountains (unfortunately, I didn’t see much of them because of the fog) and has many waterfalls, that feed the torrent called Giffre. It is a very pleasant walk, almost flat, except at the end of the Cirque, that is known as the “Bout du monde” (“World’s End” in French) where the path becomes a bit steep. The view is worth it though.
Last week, on the day of the “Jeûne Genevois”, I went for a ride along the Rhône following (loosely) the route known as Via Rhona, that goes from Geneva to the town of Valleiry in Haute-Savoie (actually it is just a segment: The complete Via Rhona goes from the Rhône Glacier to the Mediterranean Sea) . I had already tried it before but I was not able to finish it then. Now I went all the way and, although it was quite cloudy with occasional rain, I had a great time.
