La cyclomontagnarde de Haute-Savoie 06 and 07 June 2026

Ven up to the challenge

From Annecy, you'll be able to climb ever higher and further. As you leave the town, you'll find yourself on a balcony overlooking the Aravis massif as you climb Le Grand Bornand, Le Chinaillon and the Col de la Colombière. After descending to Le Reposoir, the Col de Romme will take you into the Faucigny valley, home of the screw-cutting industry.
On the way to the charming village in the heart of the Giffre valley, you will pass through Samoëns, 700 m above sea level, overlooked by the Col de Joux Plane. In medieval times, Samoëns meant «the 7 mountains». The Col de Joux Plane lies at an altitude of 1691 m on the road between Samoëns and Morzine. The climb from Samoëns is the most famous, as it is the one used by the Tour de France and the Critérium du Dauphiné.
When the weather is fine, you can see Mont Blanc from the pass. The descent takes you down to Morzine, a village of 3,000 inhabitants with typical Savoyard architecture (chalets in bloom).

You'll pass another ski resort, Les Gets, a family-friendly atmosphere that combines the elegance and dynamism of a resort with the charm and elegance of an unspoilt village. Its location on the Col des Gets gives it generous snow cover and exceptional sunshine all year round. All year round, you can enjoy a wide range of cultural and original activities. For example, the Mechanical Music Museum.

After crossing the Faucigny valley a second time, the return journey takes you over the Col des Fleuries, an 8km climb with an ascent of 380m, and plunges you into the village of Thorens, home of Saint François de Sales, a Catholic priest turned bishop and one of the most highly regarded theologians of his time. He was very influential with the local nobility. Proclaimed a Saint and Doctor of the Church, he is considered the patron saint of journalists and writers. The Château de Thorens preserves its objects and works of art, in particular its liturgical silverware, episcopal shelters, seals and rare books. Refreshments are available close to the entrance to the château.