Loisirs 74
Free · Open access

Belvédère du Mont Baron

Concrete panoramic platform at 1,254 m altitude, the sole remaining vestige of the former Mont Veyrier cable car, offering sweeping views over Lake Annecy and a 180° panorama from Salève to the Bauges.

View on map
Belvédère du Mont Baron with panoramic view over Lake Annecy and the Bauges mountain ranges, Veyrier-du-Lac, Haute-Savoie
Mont Blanc panorama · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA
At a glance
Type
Panoramic viewpoint
Access
Free · No admission fee
Duration
1 h 30 to 2 h from the lakeside (Col des Contrebandiers closed)
Best season
April – October
Parking
Prohibited at Col des Contrebandiers since July 2024 — depart from the lakeside (Annecy-le-Vieux or Veyrier-du-Lac)
Animals
Accepted on leash
Stroller / Reduced mobility
Not suitable (rocky trail, exposed passages)
Town
Veyrier-du-Lac
Altitude
1,254 m (platform) · Mont Baron summit: 1,299 m

Official source →

What is Belvédère du Mont Baron

The Belvédère du Mont Baron is a concrete panoramic platform situated at 1,254 m altitude on the ridge overlooking Veyrier-du-Lac and Lake Annecy. It is the sole remaining vestige of the former Mont Veyrier cable car, inaugurated on 29 July 1934, decommissioned in 1984 due to the cost of safety upgrades, with its upper station demolished in 2001 following a fatal accident in 1998. At its peak in 1948, this cable car transported nearly 70,000 passengers per year in just 7 minutes from Veyrier-du-Lac, with two 25-passenger cabins, setting two world records: the longest cable span without intermediate pylons (1,525 m) and the greatest elevation gain (808 m).

The platform offers one of the most spectacular panoramas in the Annecy region: a sweeping view 800 m above the lake, a 180° panorama from the Bauges massif in the west to Salève and the Jura in the north, with Mont Blanc, the Aravis and La Tournette visible to the east. The viewpoint sits on the ridgeline between Mont Baron (1,299 m, summit 10 minutes above the platform) and Mont Veyrier (1,291 m, 30 minutes further north via the ridge path). Together they form a continuous balcony overlooking Lake Annecy, highly prized by hikers, photographers and bivouac campers. An orientation table is installed on the platform. The site is also renowned for its spectacular sunsets over the lake.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
Ridge Path of Mont Baron, 74290 Veyrier-du-Lac View on map
Coordinates
45,8992° N — 6,1868° E
Altitude
1,254 m (platform) · 1,299 m (Mont Baron summit)
Opening
Free access year-round — prefer April to October (snow/ice out of season)
Admission
Free
Parking
Prohibited at Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet since 29 July 2024 (municipal order). Mandatory departure from the lakeside: Chemin Rural de la Montagne (Annecy-le-Vieux) or small port at Veyrier-du-Lac.
Animals
Dogs accepted on leash
Accessibility
Not suitable for strollers or persons with reduced mobility. Rocky terrain, exposed passages secured by cables, steps carved into rock. Children from age 5 with supervision.
Duration to reach
1 h 30 to 2 h from the lakeside (depending on starting point) · 45 min from former Col des Contrebandiers departure (now prohibited)
Contact
Lake Annecy Tourist Office — lac-annecy.com
Access

How to get there

By car

From Annecy (~10 min), reach Veyrier-du-Lac via D909a (east shore of the lake). Park at the small port at Veyrier-du-Lac or at public parking areas in Annecy-le-Vieux near Chemin Rural de la Montagne. Note: road access to Col des Contrebandiers and Pré Vernet is prohibited to motor vehicles since 29 July 2024 (municipal order of Veyrier-du-Lac and Annecy). Mandatory on-foot departure from the lakeside. Allow 1 h 30 to 2 h of walking to the viewpoint.

Open in Maps

Public transport

Bus line 20 from Annecy to Veyrier-du-Lac (free from 1 July to 31 August). Then 1 h 30 walk to the viewpoint via the marked GR Lake Annecy Circuit trail.

Open in Maps

By bike

Access possible by bike to the foot of the trails (Plan Sagran, parking prohibited to cars), then on-foot ascent mandatory. Cycle path along the lake from Annecy.

Open in Maps
When to visit

When to visit

The trail is passable from April to October. Summer (June–September) is the busiest period, with peak crowds on sunny weekends — the viewpoint is one of the most popular in the Annecy basin. Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer lower visitor numbers and soft photographic light. In winter, the terrain becomes slippery and icy; weathered rocks can be dangerous in damp conditions. Sunsets in late afternoon (17:00–20:00 depending on season) attract many bivouac campers. The view is clear year-round, but fog may obscure the lake during winter thermal inversions.
Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

Photos

Gallery

Been there? Share your photos — we'll add them to this page with credit. Tag #loisirs74 or email photos@loisirs74.fr

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is access to Belvédère du Mont Baron free?

Yes. Access to Belvédère du Mont Baron is free and open year-round. It is a hiking trail in free access with no admission fee or toll.

How do I reach Belvédère du Mont Baron from Annecy?

Since 29 July 2024, road access to Col des Contrebandiers is closed to vehicles. You must park by the lake (Veyrier-du-Lac or Annecy-le-Vieux) and hike up the marked Mont Baron trail. Allow 1 h 30 to 2 h of walking.

What is the altitude of Belvédère du Mont Baron?

Belvédère du Mont Baron (former cable car platform) sits at 1,254 m altitude. Mont Baron summit, 10 minutes higher, reaches 1,299 m.

Can you bivouac at Belvédère du Mont Baron?

Yes. Wild bivouacking is tolerated at Belvédère du Mont Baron and widely practiced for sunset viewing. The platform is a popular bivouac spot. Respect guidelines: tent pitched after 19:00, taken down before 09:00, no fires, pack out all waste.

Is the Belvédère du Mont Baron trail suitable for children?

Yes, from age 5 with supervision. The Belvédère du Mont Baron trail has rocky sections and some exposed passages secured by cables. Not suitable for young children or strollers.

What is the best season to visit Belvédère du Mont Baron?

April to October. Summer (June–September) offers the best weather but high crowds. Spring and autumn are quieter. In winter, the Belvédère du Mont Baron trail is icy and slippery; reserved for experienced hikers with proper equipment.

Why is the Col des Contrebandiers road closed?

Since 29 July 2024, the road has been closed to motor vehicles as part of the Mont Veyrier Massif Management Plan 2024-2029. The closure aims to facilitate emergency vehicle access (often blocked by chaotic parking), protect biodiversity and regulate growing visitor numbers.

What is the history of the Mont Veyrier cable car?

The Mont Veyrier cable car was inaugurated on 29 July 1934 by banker Léon Laydernier. It transported 2 million passengers over 50 years, reaching 70,000 passengers in 1948. It held two world records: 1,525 m cable span and 808 m elevation gain without intermediate pylons. Closed in 1984 for economic reasons (cost of safety upgrades), the upper station was demolished in 2001 after a fatal accident in 1998.

See also

See also

Sources

Sources & verification

Multi-source verification at publication. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.

Published 14 mai 2026·Updated 14 mai 2026

Directions