Freeride World Tour champion Marion Haerty still has the goggle tan from snowboarding on her face, yet already the cycling tan on her legs. Here she recounts her camper trip through the Massif des Bauges in France with her road bike and three friends. Hidden gem alert!
The Massif des Bauges spans the départements of Haute-Savoie and Savoie, framed by the three cities of Chambéry, Albertville and Annecy, and perfectly nestled between the Lac du Bourget and the Lac d’Annecy. It’s not as imposing, steep or high as the high alpine terrain further east – and that’s exactly what makes it perfect for road cycling: stunning scenery, great routes, and above all, no crowds.
It was (unfortunately) just a short trip with three friends. On day one we rode a fairly flat route around the Lac du Bourget, the largest and deepest lake in France, with a few detours on either side. One of them took us to the small village of Chanaz, northwest of the lake. It’s an incredibly beautiful, picturesque spot on the Canal de Savière, also known as the little Venice of Savoie.
On day two we headed into the Bauges mountains for some proper pass riding. Our loop started with the Col de Plainpalais, which has even featured in the Tour de France Femmes. It is a true dream of a climb at 13 kilometres with an average gradient of 6.3%. From there we continued to the Col de la Forclaz above the Lac d’Annecy, a pass the men’s peloton has tackled multiple times in the Tour de France.
The fact that the Tour keeps returning to the Massif des Bauges says it all. There are countless routes we’ve already added to our list for next time.
What makes this region so special is the combination of mountains and lakes, the relaxed atmosphere, its secluded corners and the sense of quiet.
A few more tips: on the northern shore of the Lac du Bourget, the beach at Chindrieux is a wonderful spot for a swim. Aix-les-Bains is a beautiful town (a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire) with extraordinary architecture and a rich historical character.
And two things you absolutely have to try: the local cheese, Tome des Bauges, and the Myrtille Limonade, especially in the little village of Lescheraines.
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