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Col de la Forclaz

Col de la Forclaz — 1,147 m balcony over Lake Annecy facing La Tournette, one of Europe's largest paragliding sites.

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Location verified by loisirs74.fr
Col de la Forclaz at 1,147 m, panoramic balcony over Lake Annecy from Talloires-Montmin
Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Road pass / belvedere
Access
Free access (road open subject to weather)
Price
Free (paragliding tandem flights paid)
Duration
Stop + hikes 2-6 h
Best season
May to October
Town
Talloires-Montmin

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What is Col de la Forclaz

The Col de la Forclaz, at 1,147 m altitude in the Talloires-Montmin commune, is one of the most iconic belvederes over Lake Annecy. The pass links the village of Talloires, on the lake's eastern shore, with the Montmin valley descending towards Vesonne. It offers a panoramic view of the lake, the Bauges peaks and La Tournette (2,351 m).

Above all, it is a world-class paragliding site: thanks to its aspect and near-daily thermals, the take-off area — set up by the commune and the FFVL — can host up to 200 flights per day in peak season, making it one of the most frequented spots in Europe. Several local schools (Aerodream, Flyeo and others) offer tandem baptism flights from around €100 depending on the package and flight duration.

The col is also a starting point for the area's best-known hikes: the La Tournette ascent (5-6 h, +927 m elevation gain, exceptional panorama over the lake), the Seven Fountains loop (≈ 1 h, family-friendly), and loops towards Mont Lachat. The road is also popular with cyclists climbing from Talloires (≈ 8 km, 7% average gradient) or from Vesonne on the Montmin side.

Free access by road from Talloires or Montmin. Several car parks at the col (can be saturated in July-August). A panoramic restaurant with a lake-facing terrace rounds out the stop. Best season is May to October: the road may close in winter depending on snow.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address
Col de la Forclaz, D42, 74210 Talloires-Montmin View on map
Coordinates
45.8083° N — 6.2447° E
Altitude
1,147 m
Tourist office phone
Sources du lac d'Annecy tourist office: +33 (0)4 50 60 70 64
Official website
sources-lac-annecy.com — Talloires-Montmin community page
Road access
From Talloires (8 km, 7%) or from Montmin/Vesonne
Parking
Several car parks at the col · paid May to November · saturated July-August, arrive early
On-site dining
Panoramic inn / restaurant at the col, lake-facing terrace (regional cuisine)
Paragliding take-off
Official FFVL take-off site — one of Europe's largest, up to 200 flights/day in season, on-site air-traffic regulator in summer
Orientation table & lake belvedere
Panoramic platform at the col with 360° view over Lake Annecy, La Tournette and the Bauges
Season
Road accessible May to October · winter closure possible depending on snow
Access

How to get there

By car

From Annecy: drive the lake's eastern shore (Veyrier, Menthon, Talloires) then climb to the col on the D42 (8 km, 7% gradient). Allow 40 min from Annecy.

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Public transport

No regular bus serves the col. Seasonal shuttles from Talloires possible in summer.

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By bike

Cycling climb from Talloires (≈ 8 km, 7% average) or from Vesonne on the Montmin side. Very popular ascent for Annecy cyclists.

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Nearest stops

  • COL DE LA FORCLAZ · SIBRA · F1 · 10 m
  • FORCLAZ Term · SIBRA · 346 m
  • COTE · SIBRA · F1 · 853 m

Transport data verified on 2026-06-15 · source transport.data.gouv.fr (Licence Etalab 2.0)

Parking

Parking checked on 2026-06-15 · © les contributeurs d'OpenStreetMap sous licence ODbL

When to visit

When to visit

Road accessible May to October, winter closure possible depending on snow. Peak season is July-August: arrive early to enjoy the col and find parking. Paragliding conditions are best in the morning and late afternoon.
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 there an entry fee to the col?

No, road access to the col is entirely free. Free parking. Paragliding flights, the restaurant and some shuttles are paid.

How do I get up to the col?

By car on the D42 from Talloires (8 km, 7% gradient). By bike, it's a very popular climb for Annecy cyclists.

Can I do a tandem paragliding flight?

Yes, several schools (Aerodream, Flyeo and others) offer tandem flights from around €100 depending on the package and flight duration. Booking advised in peak season.

How many flights leave the col each day?

Up to 200 flights per day in peak season, making it one of Europe's most frequented paragliding sites.

What hikes start from the col?

The La Tournette ascent (5-6 h round trip, +927 m), the Seven Fountains loop (1 h, family), and several loops to Mont Lachat and the Montmin valley.

When is the best time to visit?

May to October. The road may close in winter depending on snow. In summer, arrive early for parking and to enjoy the morning cool.

Is there a restaurant at the col?

Yes, a panoramic restaurant with a terrace facing Lake Annecy is at the col. Ideal for lunch after a hike or flight.

Is the col wheelchair-accessible?

The col itself is accessible by car without difficulty. The panoramic terrace and restaurant are accessible. The hiking trails are not adapted for wheelchairs.

Sources

Sources & verification

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

Published 14 mai 2026·Updated 6 juin 2026

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