The Aravis mountains, Annecy Lake and surrounds offers so much for runners, swimmers, cyclists or triathletes alike. With such a great mix of varied terrain, scenic routes and other training resources, it’s almost impossible not to enjoy your training out in this region.
Chalet Desgranges is in the middle of all this beauty...and it even has an icy mountain stream at the end of the road in which to cool tired limbs for faster recovery before heading out again the next day.
The Aravis region is a Tour de France favourite. The famous race route comes through St Jean de Sixt or surrounding villages every couple of years and Le Grand Bornand has been an overnight stop twice in the last three years. In 2009, Lake Annecy was the route for the final time trial and where Contador showed the peleton who was boss. The area is truly a cyclists’ paradise and for any triathlete looking to develop climbing confidence or muscle endurance for the longer event, it has all you could ask for.
Leaving from and returning to the chalet, it’s entirely possible to put together any number of scenic routes(route 1, route 2) of varying length, elevation and difficulty. From a swift 20km run to Menthon on Lake Annecy to an all day effort taking in many famous climbs including Col de la Colombiere, there really is something for everyone.
Most cyclists or triathletes tend to spend a week or long-weekend at the chalet, alternating long days in the saddle with days of shorter rides for recovery and leaving time for swimming or running.
Some route suggestions are detailed below:
Col De Aravis
Col de Colombiere
Col de Rosalan
Col de Bluffy
Annecy Time Trial
Lake Annecy is said to be the cleanest lake in Europe and is a favourite watersport destination for the French. One swim in its refreshing waters reveals what all the fuss is about. With water visibility of 15 feet and a ring of yellow buoys conveniently situated every 500 meters around the lakes perimeter, it is almost tailor-made for focused open water training...or just an easy recovery swim. And the contrast of towering green mountains, brilliant blue sky and crystal clear water everytime you turn to breathe, is pretty hard to beat.
 Menthon-Saint-Bernhard on the Western side of the lake – overlooked by the magnificent Chateau Menthon – is the ideal spot to head for swim training. Parking is no problem and there are places to lock up bikes safely. There are also a few restaurants there (or just beyond the bluff at Ermitage Saint Germain) to re-fuel or for non-swimmers to relax and enjoy a coffee, cold drink or something a little more grown up.
Menthon has its own plage (beach) with marked off swimming area and a large grassy expanse on which to relax. For those wanting a longer swim we suggest entering the water anywhere along the shore, swimming out to the nearest yellow buoy and then swimming along the line of these buoys for as long as you wish.
Don’t forget your swim caps to ensure you are visible and don’t swim alone. We also recommend that you stay on the shore side of the yellow buoy line as boats are obliged to move very slowly through the zone between shore and this line of buoys. The lake temperatures vary throughout the year and wetsuits aren’t always needed – especially in late July, August and early September.
- Annecy also has an open air 50 meter pool and an indoor 25 meter pool. Both pools can be used by the public with just a few Euros entry fee. The outdoor pool is right next to the lake on the Rue des Marquisats, on the south side the canal entering the lake.
- Le Grand Bornand has a 25 meter heated indoor pool that is open only in the season – both summer and winter.
Most visitors to the chalet tend to think that running in the mountains is either up or down...and to a certain extent that is correct. Mountainous terrain kind of makes that a reality and the route left out of the chalet that winds down to Villard sur Thones and beyond, to Thones itself is an easy run out and a ‘bit’ tougher back – especially the little rise about 1km from the end. However, there are some flatish routes that we use from time to time.
One nice 10 – 15km run is an out and back route from the bridge on the St Jean side of Le Grand Bornand. Follow the path as it winds along next to the river into and through Le Grand Bornand before heading up on the road beyond the town and then rising out gently beyond the town toward the golf course and x-country ski park. Run as far as you wish before returning.
Another great flat option is a solid 2 hour (or shorter if you prefer) route from Menthon-Saint-Bernard back toward Annecy town itself. Follow the roads along the shore where possible through/past Veyrier-du-lac and Chavoire and then move up to the main road into Annecy until the edge of town. Then follow the path across the grass and into town. Turning at the bridge and returning to Menthon is a run of about 2 hours out and back...and the scenery is great.
|
|
|
|
|