La Tournette Mountain

Address: La Tournette summit area, near Annecy, Haute-Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Admission: Free (parking/transport fees may apply for nearby facilities)

La Tournette is a mountain in Haute-Savoie, France, standing at about 2,351 metres and forming the highest peak immediately above Lake Annecy.

Hikers and scramblers visit for the panoramic summit views over Lake Annecy and the northern Alps; routes include steep alpine paths and exposed ridgelines that require sure-footedness. The mountain is a prominent local landmark and is frequently climbed as a day hike in summer and shoulder seasons under stable weather.

La Tournette is a natural feature of the Bornes Massif and has long been used for grazing and mountain recreation; its prominence above Lake Annecy has made it a noted local topographic reference.

The peak sits on the eastern side of Lake Annecy, above the towns and cols that link the lake to the surrounding Alpine valleys, and is easily visible from Annecy and neighbouring villages.

• Summit views: The summit provides panoramic views over Lake Annecy and the surrounding Aravis and Mont Blanc massifs on clear days, making sunrise and late-afternoon weather windows especially popular for hikers.

From Annecy: drive toward the Col de la Forclaz and continue on D41/D34 toward parking at the base of the trail (approx. 25-40 minutes). Several trailheads and marked paths lead to the summit; local shuttle options operate in summer.

• Start early to avoid afternoon gusts and to secure parking in summer; the ascent can be busy on good-weather weekends.
• Use the Col de la Forclaz route for the classic Annecy view - the ridge trail is exposed in places, so bring windproof clothing.
• Photographers should aim for late afternoon for softer light on the lake and the western face.