The best walks and hikes around Les Clefs

Les Clefs offers a selection of 12 hiking routes, catering to various skill levels. You'll find 8 moderate trails and 4 more challenging routes to explore the Aravis massif.

Hiking around Les Clefs provides access to the dramatic Aravis mountains, with trails winding through serene forests, expansive mountain pastures, and rocky promontories. From higher elevations, you can often catch panoramic views, including distant glimpses of Lake Annecy.

Yes, many of the trails around Les Clefs are circular. For example, the moderate Mount Sulens via Postman's Path Loop is a popular option, as is the more challenging La Tournette Summit – Pointe des Frêtes loop.

The region is rich in natural beauty and historical sites. You can discover waterfalls like Angon Waterfall or Nanceau Waterfall. Hikers can also find historical elements such as the ruins of the 12th-century Château des Clefs or a 15th-century 'Roman bridge' spanning the Fier river. The iconic Col de la Forclaz also offers stunning views.

While Les Clefs is not directly on its shores, many higher elevation trails in the Aravis massif provide breathtaking views of Lake Annecy. These routes allow you to combine mountain hiking with the scenic beauty of the lake in the distance.

The region is excellent for hiking from spring through autumn. In spring, you might even spot the rare and protected lady's slipper orchid around Mount Sulens. Autumn offers the chance to hear deer roar in Belchamp. Winter also provides opportunities for snowshoeing and ski touring, particularly on Mount Sulens.

The hiking trails in Les Clefs are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 4600 reviews. Hikers frequently praise the dramatic mountain scenery of the Aravis, the diverse terrain from forests to alpine pastures, and the rewarding panoramic views from peaks like La Tournette and Mount Sulens.

Yes, for instance, the Auberge de Plan Bois, located at the Col de Plan Bois, is a convenient stop for hikers. It offers a place to rest, enjoy local products, and take in the views of the Aravis and La Tournette mountains.

Absolutely. Beyond traditional hiking, the trails around Les Clefs are also suitable for mountain biking and e-biking. In winter, the area transforms into a destination for snowshoeing and ski touring, especially on Mount Sulens due to its gentler slopes. Its proximity to Lake Annecy also allows for combining mountain adventures with lakeside activities.

Yes, Les Clefs serves as a gateway to Val Sulens, an area that offers multi-day hiking tours. These longer routes provide magnificent, extended views of the Aravis massif and allow for a deeper immersion into the region's natural beauty. Sections of the Grande Randonnée (GR) paths, such as the GR de Pays Tournette-Aravis and the GR96, also pass through the area.

For experienced hikers seeking a significant challenge, the La Tournette Summit – Pointe des Frêtes loop is a difficult 14.1 km path with substantial elevation gain towards the iconic La Tournette summit. Another demanding option is the Trail section – La Tournette Summit loop from Les Clefs.

A popular moderate option is the Mount Sulens via Postman's Path Loop. This 8.9 km trail takes about 3 hours 42 minutes and explores the varied landscapes around Mount Sulens, offering a great introduction to the area's beauty without extreme difficulty.