Belvédère du Crêt du Maure
Most visitors photograph the lake from the shore; the few who hike 45 minutes up to the Crêt du Maure viewpoint are rewarded with a panorama that puts the entire lake, the town and a wall of Alpine peaks into a single jaw-dropping frame. It is the best free view in the region.
The Hike Up
The trailhead starts at the top of Rue du Crêt du Maure in the Annecy-le-Vieux suburb, easily reached by bus line 2 from the town centre (stop: Belvédère). The path climbs steadily through mixed forest for about 3.5 km, gaining 280 metres of elevation — manageable for anyone reasonably fit in trail shoes.
The route is well-signed with yellow hiking markers. In spring the forest floor is carpeted with wild garlic; in autumn the beech trees turn amber and gold, making the walk itself as rewarding as the destination.
What You See at the Top
At 956 metres the belvedere opens onto a wide grassy plateau with a wooden viewing table engraved with the names of the peaks opposite: the Tournette (2351 m), the Dents de Lanfon, the Aravis range and, on clear days, Mont Blanc floating above everything to the south-east.
Lake Annecy stretches below in its full 14-km length, its water shifting from jade near the shores to deep cobalt at the centre. The town looks like a toy village tucked between the water and the forested hills — a perspective that makes you understand instantly why this lake is called the cleanest in Europe.
Sunset visits (accessible in summer when days are long) turn the water pink and the peaks violet. Bring a headtorch if you plan to descend after dark.
Combining with a Longer Walk
The GR96 long-distance trail passes through the Crêt du Maure and connects south toward the Col de Bluffy and the village of Bluffy, where a bus returns to Annecy — making a satisfying 12-km loop possible without retracing your steps.
Several paragliders launch from the plateau on weekend mornings; watching them spiral down over the lake while you eat a sandwich is its own kind of entertainment.
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