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Best Forest Hikes near Annecy

We track 51 routes that match this search near Annecy. They average 5.2 km and 109 m (358 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 13.9 km.

That is 29 percent of the 173 routes we map near Annecy. They are shorter than the local average, 5.2 km against 9.2 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 109 m (358 ft) against 256 m (840 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Forest trails are the dependable choice: shade when it is hot, shelter when it is not, and a completely different character once the leaves turn. Most of these are on the gentler end, which makes the list a good starting point if you are new to the area. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Gy, a municipality in Canton of Geneva, in Switzerland. Aerial view.
Easy

Gy - Les Longerayes

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
47 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Le Centre de formation professionnelle nature et environnement (CFPNE), 150 rte de Presinge
Easy

Les Montagnys - Presinge

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
26 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Les Voirons
Easy

Monniaz - Les Arales

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
0.9 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
12 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Château du Crest
Easy

Presinge - Les Blessonniers

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
20 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Rouelbeau Castle, aerial view
Easy

Rouelbeau - Les Bouchilles

Geneva · Switzerland

Distance
2.6 km
/ 1.6 mi
Elevation gain
6 m
Typical duration
33 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Chalet Rochette

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
9.6 km
/ 6.0 mi
Elevation gain
212 m
Typical duration
2 hr 20 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Les Gorges de Thurignin

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
13.9 km
/ 8.7 mi
Elevation gain
240 m
Typical duration
3 hr 16 min
  • Canyon and gorge
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Fort du Mont

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
12.3 km
/ 7.6 mi
Elevation gain
270 m
Typical duration
2 hr 58 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Easy

À l'assaut du Fort du Mont

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
5.6 km
/ 3.5 mi
Elevation gain
123 m
Typical duration
1 hr 21 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Moderate

Mont de Grésy

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
8.6 km
/ 5.4 mi
Elevation gain
189 m
Typical duration
2 hr 5 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Moderate

Le bois du Geay

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
6.0 km
/ 3.8 mi
Elevation gain
200 m
Typical duration
1 hr 34 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Chalets de la Fullie

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
190 m
Typical duration
34 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Easy

Les Tours Saint-Jacques

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
3.9 km
/ 2.4 mi
Elevation gain
85 m
Typical duration
56 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Les Vuardes et alpage de Vormy

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
8.9 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
197 m
Typical duration
2 hr 9 min
  • Forest
  • Alpine meadow
Moderate

Château de Cornillon

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
9.2 km
/ 5.7 mi
Elevation gain
202 m
Typical duration
2 hr 13 min
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
Moderate

Col du Haut du Four

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
13.7 km
/ 8.5 mi
Elevation gain
301 m
Typical duration
3 hr 18 min
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Blockhaus du Laitelet

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
9.0 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
198 m
Typical duration
2 hr 11 min
  • Forest
Easy

Chapelle Saint-Clément

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
79 m
Typical duration
52 min
  • Forest
Moderate

De Saint-Vital à Frontenex

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
7.3 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
160 m
Typical duration
1 hr 45 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Entre Grignon et Monthion

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
171 m
Typical duration
1 hr 53 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Forêt de Mercury

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
7.9 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
174 m
Typical duration
1 hr 54 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Forêt de Rhonne

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
13.3 km
/ 8.2 mi
Elevation gain
292 m
Typical duration
3 hr 12 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Forêt du Tal

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
10.9 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
240 m
Typical duration
2 hr 38 min
  • Forest
Moderate

L'Oratoire

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
8.0 km
/ 5.0 mi
Elevation gain
177 m
Typical duration
1 hr 56 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Le Petit Bois

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
7.9 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
174 m
Typical duration
1 hr 54 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Les Côteaux du Tal

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
9.0 km
/ 5.6 mi
Elevation gain
197 m
Typical duration
2 hr 10 min
  • Forest
Moderate

Les Hameaux de Montmin

Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes · France

Distance
7.2 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
158 m
Typical duration
1 hr 44 min
  • Forest

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Jussy le Château - Les Grands BoisGeneva2.4 km39 m33 minEasyApril to October
Jussy le Château - Les LongerayesGeneva1.3 kmflat16 minEasyApril to October
Corsier Port - Les BouchillesGeneva2.2 km50 m32 minEasyApril to October
Choulex - Les MontagnysGeneva0.6 kmflat7 minEasyApril to October
Eaux d'Arve - Le Bois de PinsGeneva0.9 km27 m14 minModerateApril to October
Grand Cara - Les Bois d'OrnazGeneva2.4 km39 m33 minEasyApril to October
Gy - Les LongerayesGeneva3.6 km29 m47 minEasyApril to October
Jussy l'Eglise - Les BlessonniersGeneva1.9 km8 m25 minEasyApril to October
Lancy Pont-Rouge - Les VerjusGeneva0.7 km9 m9 minEasyApril to October
Le Bois de Pins - Grande TuillièreGeneva1.8 km15 m24 minEasyApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Jussy le Château - Les Longerayes, Jussy le Château - Les Grands Bois, Corsier Port - Les Bouchilles. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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