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Free access · Year-round
Col de la Forclaz
Alpine pass at 1,147 m altitude offering one of the most spectacular views of Lake Annecy, framed by the Bauges and Aravis massifs.
Guilhem Vellut from Annecy, France · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Type
Viewpoint · Alpine pass
Access
Free · No charge
Duration
Panoramic stop 15–30 min · With hiking 2–6 h
Best season
April – October (road open year-round)
Parking
Paid May to November (multiple car parks at the pass)
Dogs
Accepted
Town
Talloires-Montmin
What is Col de la Forclaz
The Col de la Forclaz is an alpine pass located at 1,147 metres altitude in the commune of Talloires-Montmin, Haute-Savoie. It connects the east shore of Lake Annecy from the village of Talloires to the Montmin valley descending towards Vesonne and Faverges. The word « Forclaz » derives from the Latin furca (« fork ») and designates in Savoyard dialect a mountain passage.
The pass is recognised for its panoramic viewpoint offering a sweeping view over Lake Annecy, with the Tournette alpine pastures and Bauges massif in the background. Accessible via the D42 departmental road, the site welcomes thousands of visitors each year to admire the landscape, hike, or watch paraglider take-offs. Several mountain-altitude restaurants are located at the pass.
Col de la Forclaz is also a world-renowned paragliding destination, known globally for exceptional flying conditions. The site hosted the Acrobatic Paragliding World Championships in 2016, as well as several stages of the Paragliding World Cup. Over 1,000 take-offs per day occur in summer. The pass has also been crossed five times by the Tour de France, classified as a first-category climb since 1994.
Activities
What you can do here
Practical
Practical information
Address
D42, Col de la Forclaz, 74210 Talloires-Montmin View on map
Coordinates
45.8083° N — 6.24472° E View on map
Altitude
1,147 m
Opening hours
Road open year-round (D42). Parking access paid May to November.Verified 14 May 2026
Fee
Free access to the pass. Parking charged May to November (rate not publicly disclosed).
Parking
Multiple car parks at the pass. Paid May to November. High season weekends attract significant traffic.
Animals
Dogs accepted on lead
Accessibility
Accessible by car. Viewpoint accessible from the car park. Hiking trails not suitable for pushchairs.
Restaurants
Several mountain-altitude restaurants at the pass: L'Edelweiss, Chalet la Pricaz, La Ferme. Panoramic terraces with lake views.
Contact
Lake Annecy Tourist Office — Talloires-Montmin Bureau: 28 rue André Theuriet, 74290 Talloires-Montmin
Access
How to get there
By car
From Annecy (20 km, 35 min), take the D909a towards Talloires, then the D42 climbing to the pass from Menthon-Saint-Bernard or Talloires. Second access via Vesonne (Faverges) and the Montmin valley. Winding road with tight hairpins in the final kilometres on the Talloires side. Paid parking May to November.
Open in MapsBy bike
Renowned cycling ascent (700 m elevation gain, 7 % average, sections at 11.5 %). Climb accessible from two sides: Talloires/Menthon-Saint-Bernard (north-west) or Vesonne (south-east, more difficult). Lake Annecy cycle route in the lower vicinity.
Open in MapsWhen to visit
When to visit
Col de la Forclaz is accessible year-round via the D42 road, but the best period to enjoy the panorama and activities extends from April to October. In summer (July-August), the site is very busy with over 1,000 paraglider launches per day — favour mornings or weekdays to avoid crowds. Spring and autumn offer magnificent light on the lake and quieter visitor numbers. In winter, the pass remains open but the paragliding launch area is less active; the small family ski station of Montmin (below the pass) welcomes beginner skiers on weekends and school holidays. The sunset from the pass is a renowned spectacle in all seasons.
Nearby
Where to eat, drink, stay
Bakery, shop
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Gallery
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is access to Col de la Forclaz paid?
No, access to Col de la Forclaz via the D42 road is free year-round. However, parking at the pass is paid from May to November.
What is the best time to visit Col de la Forclaz?
The best period to visit Col de la Forclaz extends from April to October, with optimal conditions from May to September. Favour mornings or weekdays in July-August to avoid high visitor numbers.
Can you paraglide at Col de la Forclaz without accompaniment?
Col de la Forclaz is a free-flying site open to autonomous paragliders. For a tandem baptism flight, several paragliding schools offer discovery flights (10–40 min) with qualified instructors, take-off from the pass and landing at Doussard.
Are there restaurants at Col de la Forclaz?
Yes, several mountain-altitude restaurants are located at Col de la Forclaz, including L'Edelweiss, Chalet la Pricaz and La Ferme. They serve Savoyard specialities with panoramic terraces overlooking Lake Annecy.
Can you hike from Col de la Forclaz?
Yes. Several hikes depart from Col de la Forclaz: Pointe de la Rochette (2 h, easy), Chalet de l'Aulp (1 h), Tournette (5–6 h, difficult), or the descent towards Verthier via the GR 96. The pass lies on the Tour of Lake Annecy route.
Is Col de la Forclaz accessible in winter?
Yes, the D42 road to Col de la Forclaz is open year-round, including in winter. The small family ski station of Montmin, below the pass, operates weekends and school holidays depending on snow conditions.
Sources
Sources & verification
Multi-source verification at publication date. Information may change — confirm with the official operator before travelling.
