Le Semnoz
Above Lake Annecy
North: 8.3 kms; 1,210 metres ascent; Start:
Annecy
East: 26.0 kms 1,200
metres ascent; Start: Sévrier
West: 18.0 kms 1,160 metres
ascent Start: N201-D912
Last Climbed:
April 2007
Driving Directions
GPX Files
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Map of Route
Le Semnoz towers over Lake Annecy and the climb provides great views of the lake. The Top of the climb is also referred to as the Cret de Chatillon.
Blog Entry - I am the first to admit that I’m a wimp on steep descents. But still, when it takes an hour to descend back to the beginning then you know you’ve done a big climb. La Semnoz is a huge hunk of land next to beautiful Lake Annecy. It took over 1,500 metres (+5,000 feet) of vertical climb to get to the top - a small ski resort. Fantastic views of the Alps and the lake.
I had been climbing for about 45 minutes until I got to the beginning of the real climb near the Col de Leschaux. Straight in front of me was a seemingly unclimbable mountain. But I could see the edges of huge Switchbacks above me. I climbed this route at about the same time last year - but was less fit at the time. So I was pleased to see that it only felt HARD and not VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. Progress!!
