Le Semnoz

At a glance

Type

Mid-altitude plateau

Access

Free · Open

Best season

June – October (summer); December – March (ski)

Parking

Free (resort)

Animals

Allowed on leash on pastures

Stroller / Reduced mobility

Plateau suitable, summit not

Town

Viuz-la-Chiésaz (plateau across several communes)

Official source →

What is Le Semnoz

Le Semnoz is the northernmost mountain of the Bauges massif. At 15 km long, the plateau overlooks the western shore of Lake Annecy from the Col de Leschaux in the south to the city of Annecy in the north. Its highest point, the Crêt de Châtillon, reaches 1699 m and features an orientation table offering a 360° view over Mont Blanc, La Tournette, the Aravis, the Bauges, Lake Annecy and, in clear weather, Lake Bourget.

Le Semnoz sits entirely within the Bauges Massif Regional Natural Park. The Semnoz state forest and the Annecy communal forest cover more than 820 hectares of beech and fir, managed by the ONF. The ski resort was created in the late 1960s and has been managed by the Grand Annecy agglomeration since 2019. The site is freely accessible year-round.

A true natural balcony above Annecy, Le Semnoz appeals through its immediate proximity to the city (20 minutes by road) and the diversity of its activities: hiking and mountain biking in summer, alpine and Nordic skiing in winter, educational animal park, summer toboggan on rails, and numerous interpretation trails. It is also a privileged site for paragliding and alpine sunrises. The alpine pastures, where cows and goats graze between June and September, produce traditional mountain cheeses sold in the mountain chalets.

The plateau offers a preserved natural setting, both wild and welcoming, where forest meets pastureland and where deer, hinds and mouflons are regularly spotted in the Grande Jeanne park. Le Semnoz regularly features in regional sporting competitions, including the Annecy Maxi Race, and welcomes thousands of walkers, athletes and families each year seeking fresh air and exceptional panoramas.

Activities

What you can do here

Practical

Practical information

Address

Station du Semnoz, Route du Semnoz, 74000 Annecy (summit: Crêt de Châtillon, Viuz-la-Chiésaz) View on map

Coordinates

45.7887° N, 6.0838° E (Crêt de Châtillon)

Resort phone

04 50 01 20 30

Resort email

info@semnoz.fr

Altitude

Crêt de Châtillon 1699 m (highest point); Crêt de l'Aigle 1646 m

Opening hours

Plateau: free access year-round. Summer resort: July-August daily; May, June, September, October partially; closed in rain

Plateau price

Free

Resort activities price

Points card at the ticket office, valid all season. Rates on semnoz.fr

Parking

Large free car park at the resort (P1 Nordic, P2 Alpine)

Animals

Dogs allowed on leash on the plateau, especially near grazing cows and goats

Accessibility

Resort surroundings and plateau accessible; final path to the Crêt de Châtillon unpaved

Summit accommodation

Hôtel-restaurant Les Rochers Blancs in season; Éco-Bivouac (panoramic domes)

Access

How to get there

By car

From Annecy, ~20 min via the D41 from the roundabout near the Basilica of the Visitation. Other accesses via Quintal (D241) and via the Col de Leschaux (D110). In winter, snow tyres or chains mandatory depending on conditions.

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Public transport

Dedicated "Ligne du Semnoz" bus service operated by SIBRA from Annecy train station. Free shuttles in July-August from Annecy, the lakeside and Saint-Félix. Buses equipped for MTB in summer and skis in winter.

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By bike

Three recognised cycling climbs: from Annecy (17.4 km / 7%), Quintal (11.3 km / 8.2%), Col de Leschaux (13.4 km / 5.7%). The climb from Annecy featured in the 1998 Tour de France.

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When to visit

Le Semnoz is accessible year-round. Each season has its own appeal: <ul> <li>June – September: alpine pastures in full activity, cows and goats on estive, cheese from the mountain chalets, clear trails.</li> <li>October: autumn colours in the forest, low attendance.</li> <li>December – March: alpine, Nordic and snowshoe ski season subject to snow cover.</li> <li>April – May: transition, some altitude areas still snowy, road conditions sometimes awkward.</li> </ul>

Events : Le Semnoz hosts several sports competitions. It is the first summit attacked by participants of the Annecy Maxi Race each year.

Nearby

Where to eat, drink, stay

A restaurant at Le Semnoz or in the valley?

You welcome walkers on the plateau or skiers at the resort? Appear here.

Become a partner

A bakery, a local shop?

Based in Annecy, Sevrier, Quintal or on the way to Le Semnoz? Appear here.

Become a partner

Accommodation near Le Semnoz?

Chalet, guesthouse, B&B, rental. Share your availability with visitors to the plateau.

Become a partner

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 Le Semnoz paid?

No. Access to the plateau of Le Semnoz, the Crêt de Châtillon and the orientation table is free year-round. Only the summer resort activities (toboggan, scooters, mini-karts) are paid via a points card at the ticket office.

How high is the Crêt de Châtillon, the summit of Le Semnoz?

The Crêt de Châtillon, highest point of Le Semnoz, reaches 1699 m according to the Lake Annecy Tourist Office. Some sources indicate 1702 m. An orientation table at the summit identifies the surrounding massifs 360°.

Can I bring my dog to Le Semnoz?

Yes, Le Semnoz accepts dogs on leash, especially on the alpine pastures where cows and goats graze between June and September. Leash is mandatory near grazing herds.

How do I get to Le Semnoz from Annecy?

From Annecy, Le Semnoz is accessible by car via the D41 in ~20 min from the roundabout near the Basilica of the Visitation. SIBRA runs a dedicated bus line and free shuttles in July-August, equipped for MTB in summer and skis in winter.

What can be seen from the Crêt de Châtillon at Le Semnoz?

From the Crêt de Châtillon at Le Semnoz, the view extends over Mont Blanc, La Tournette, the Aravis, the Bauges, Lake Annecy and, in clear weather, Lake Bourget. The orientation table at the summit identifies the whole panorama.

Can you ski at Le Semnoz?

Yes. The resort at Le Semnoz offers 15 km of alpine slopes (18 runs, snowpark), 35 km of cross-country tracks and snowshoe trails. A family resort, open in winter subject to snow conditions.

Is there parking at Le Semnoz?

Yes, a large free car park at the resort of Le Semnoz, split between P1 Nordic and P2 Alpine. In summer, the road continues up to the Crêt de Châtillon; in winter, parking at the resort is mandatory.

What can be done at Le Semnoz in summer for free?

Hiking, mountain biking, paragliding and walks on the plateau of Le Semnoz are entirely free. The plateau loop (8 km, +367 m), the climb to the Crêt de Châtillon from the resort and short loops on the pastures are freely accessible. The Grande Jeanne animal park on the road is also free.

When is the best time to visit Le Semnoz?

Le Semnoz can be visited year-round. June to September offers active pastures and clear trails. December to March is ideal for skiing. October delights with autumn colours. Avoid April-May transition period unless you enjoy late snow.

Can you sleep at the summit of Le Semnoz?

Yes, the hotel-restaurant Les Rochers Blancs offers 16 rooms at the summit of Le Semnoz, open in season. There is also the Éco-Bivouac with panoramic domes for a unique mountain night.

Sources