To get up the Tournette, you will have to be reasonably fit as there are no roads or cable cars to make the trip up any easier. The closest you get is the alpine village of Montmin, just behind the Col de la Forclaz. But don’t despair I have seen people as old as 90 years making the hike up this great view point.

I climb the Tournette at least once every two year,  if I can. Just because there are other great things to do around lake Annecy and I am not here all year around … and there is work too.

Yesterday was one of those days. I drove up the Col de la Forclaz (a previous mountain climb during past Tour de France), and headed to the car park just above Montmin. Early morning and early afternoon are the best times to go. Late afternoon would be even better but depending on your condition it might not leave you enough time to get up and down before dawn. I started my hike just after two to avoid the worst of the heat although I love the sun. The hike up Tournette is sun blessed, which translates in a lot of sweat and pain climbing it during a hot summer day.

The track up is signposted 4.5 hours from the car park but I regularly manage to get up there in 2.5 hours. Having said though, the terrain is not the easiest and the views over lake Annecy are great from almost anywhere along the hike. It is really best to take your time,` have a few mini breaks and enjoy the views.

There is also wildlife to be seen such as eagles and Capricorns. Yesterday I encountered a whole family of Capricorns at close range, less that a few feet away. Trapped on a rock they had to pose for photos with lake Annecy in the background. I could not believe my luck.

I reached the top along some very steep drops and some rocky terrain to find the views, over lake Annecy on one side and Mont Blanc and the Chamonix valley on the other side, short of sensational. The rewards for the physical demands the hike up Tournette put on you are exceptional and you truly have a birds eye view of the entire region. You really can’t stop long enough to take it all in.

I am never in any rush for the decent, but you can they up there for ever. Sadly I said goodbye and started my decent along the south ridge. Beware, I know the area well but I still managed to get lost which made the decent almost as long as the ascent.

A not of caution, the hike up and down Tournette can be as long as 7 – 8 hours not catering for extensive breaks. It really is a day trip, start early in the morning and take plenty of water and some food. The climb up is not dangerous but you should not be afraid of heights, walking boots and walking poles are essential. I only recommend this mountain tour if you have done some alpine hiking before. It is strenuous!! However the views are well, well worth it.

lake Annecy views

Tournette - views over lake Annecy

top of the Tournette lake Annecy