Heading off for several self-sufficient days with all your kit strapped to the bike: that’s bikepacking. And Annecy — between its lake, mountains and cycle routes — is one of the finest starting points in the Alps. In this guide we explain what bikepacking from Annecy involves, how it differs from cycle touring, route ideas from 2 to 7 days, and the gear to get started with confidence.

What is bikepacking?

Bikepacking is bike travel done light and self-sufficient. Bags are strapped directly to the frame, handlebar and saddle — no rack — to keep the bike nimble and capable on both tarmac and trails. The spirit: minimalism, freedom and adventure, from a two-day getaway to a long crossing.

Born from mountain biking and ultra-distance racing, bikepacking favours tracks, trails and quiet roads over main roads. You sleep wild, in mountain refuges or small guesthouses, carrying only the essentials. It’s the most immersive way to discover a region at your own pace.

Bikepacking vs cycle touring: what’s the difference?

Both are bike travel, but the approach differs. Cycle touring is the classic version: touring or road bike, panniers on a rack, mostly paved routes and more comfort/luggage. Bikepacking is its modern, sportier and more off-road take.

In short: if you love getting off the main roads and travelling light, bikepacking is for you. Good news — a gravel bike lets you do both.

Why Annecy is an ideal base for bikepacking

Few towns offer so much right from the doorstep. From Annecy you reach the lakeside greenway within minutes, then tip over into the Bauges, Bornes, Aravis and Beaufortain ranges, or head for Lake Bourget, Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. Quiet roads, legendary passes, forest tracks and major cycle routes (ViaRhôna, Route des Grandes Alpes) combine endlessly. Annecy is also easy to reach by train, making it a perfect rallying point to start or end an adventure.

Bikepacking routes from Annecy (2 to 7 days)

Here are progressive route ideas to adapt to your level and the weather. Distances and durations are indicative — the beauty of bikepacking is plotting your own.

2 days — The Bauges Massif loop

The perfect format to start. From Annecy you reach the Bauges Regional Nature Park over the Col de Leschaux, cross alpine pastures and villages, spend a night in a refuge or small hotel, then return via the Combe de Savoie or the Semnoz. Mid-mountain scenery, little traffic, ideal gravel terrain.

3 days — The two-lakes loop (Annecy & Bourget)

Annecy → Lake Bourget (Aix-les-Bains) through the Bauges, a night beside France’s largest natural lake, then back via Chambéry and the Chartreuse before returning to Annecy. A varied loop between cycle paths and small passes.

4 days — Annecy, Aravis & Beaufortain

Heading east: Thônes, the Aravis valley, the Col des Aravis, then the Beaufortain and its high-altitude dams. A more committing leg with beautiful passes and views of Mont Blanc. Gravel or MTB recommended on the track sections.

5 days — The Mont Blanc tour (Annecy gateway)

Use Annecy as a base camp to reach the Mont Blanc massif: Megève, Col des Saisies, Beaufortain, Cormet de Roselend, the Chamonix valley, returning via the Aravis. A great alpine classic, demanding and unforgettable.

6 to 7 days — Grand Alpine crossing (from Annecy)

For the most experienced, Annecy is an ideal gateway to the Route des Grandes Alpes and its legendary passes (Aravis, Saisies, Roselend, Iseran…), or to a long loop linking Lake Annecy, Lake Geneva and the Beaufortain. Several days of self-sufficiency, passes and bivouacs: adventure at its very best.

And for the seriously hardcore: Annecy is a superb base camp to join Europe’s great cycle routes such as La Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3), which runs from Norway to Spain over more than 5,000 km. Time to think (very) big.

Resources to plan your routes

To plot your route, find GPX tracks and plan your stages:

• France Vélo Tourisme — every cycle route in France (including the Route des Grandes Alpes).
• ViaRhôna — from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean, reachable from Annecy.
• La Scandibérique (EuroVelo 3) — for very long distances.
• Bauges Regional Nature Park — perfect for the 2-day format.

Where to sleep on a bikepacking trip around Annecy

The choice of where you sleep shapes the whole adventure. Three options combine along the way:

• Bivouac: the freest and most economical. Around Annecy it’s done at altitude, away from settlements and reserves — always discreet, no fire, early start. Check local rules (bivouac is tolerated, wild camping is not).
• Refuge or staging lodge: minimal comfort, a hot meal and great encounters — perfect in the Bauges, Aravis or Beaufortain. Book ahead in season.
• Small hotel or guesthouse: for a dry night and a real shower, ideal in “comfort bikepacking” mode on valley stages.

The gear to get started with bikepacking

You don’t need to spend a fortune to start: you can rent the essentials in Annecy and travel light.

• The bike: a gravel bike to rent in Annecy is the ideal weapon — versatile, comfortable and able to go anywhere, on road and trail.
• The bags: handlebar, frame and saddle bags. Check out the bikepacking bag rental in Annecy to carry your kit without a rack.
• Sleeping: ultralight tent, tarp or bivy + a compact sleeping bag and mat (depending on bivouac or lodging).
• Navigation: GPS or a route app (komoot, GPX) — essential away from main roads.
• Repairs: spare tube, puncture kit, multi-tool, chain breaker and mini-pump.
• Water & food: at least two bottles, a filter or tablets, and snacks for between villages.
• Clothing: technical layers, a waterproof shell and dry kit for the evening — mountain weather changes fast.

Tips for a successful first bikepacking trip

• Start short: a 2-day format (Bauges) to test your gear and pace before going bigger.
• Travel light: every gram counts in the mountains. Sort your kit, then remove another 20%.
• Plan for the climbing: around Annecy it’s not the distance that tires you, it’s the elevation. Keep your stages reasonable.
• Check the weather and water points before each stage, and scout your overnight spots.
• Respect nature: discreet bivouac, no litter left behind, no fires in sensitive areas.

In the end, the hardest part of bikepacking is often… simply setting off. One night out near Annecy and you’ll be hooked. The easiest start: rent a gravel bike and bags, head into the Bauges for a weekend, and see how it feels. You’ll quickly know if you want to aim bigger — the Beaufortain, Mont Blanc or the Route des Grandes Alpes will be waiting. The adventure begins right by the lake; you just have to hop on.

Read also

• Cycling around Lake Annecy: 7 unmissable rides
• The Lake Annecy greenway
• Gravel bike rental in Annecy
• All our bikes for rent

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between bikepacking and cycle touring?

Bikepacking uses bags strapped directly to the bike (no rack) and favours trails and off-road riding, in a light and sporty style. Cycle touring uses panniers on a rack and stays mostly on roads, with more comfort and luggage.

Which bike should I choose for bikepacking around Annecy?

The gravel bike is the most versatile: it rides well on road and track while staying light. A road bike works for paved routes, and an MTB for the most technical trails. All can be rented in Annecy.

Do I need special gear to start?

No: a gravel bike and a set of bikepacking bags are enough to get going. Both are available to rent in Annecy, ideal for testing before you invest.

What is a good first bikepacking route from Annecy?

The 2-day Bauges Massif loop is perfect for beginners: close to Annecy, little traffic, mid-mountain scenery and ideal gravel terrain.