Travel guide to the top of Col des Annes

# Col des Annes

Perched at 1,721 meters (5,646 feet) above sea level in Haute-Savoie in south-eastern France, Col des Annes is one seriously impressive alpine pass. The entire route is paved, which is great news—though fair warning, you'll encounter plenty of gravel scattered across the asphalt, so take it easy through the curves.

What makes this climb special is the scenery. The road winds through gorgeous alpine pastures as it climbs higher, delivering those classic French Alps views that'll make you want to stop every five minutes for photos. Starting from Le Grand Bornand, you're looking at an 11.96 km climb with 808 meters of elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.7%, but here's the kicker: the final stretch ramps up to a punishing 15% average. The good news? The road stays relatively mellow until you pass a golf course at 1,055 meters, where things suddenly get serious and the real climbing begins.

You can typically access the pass year-round, which is convenient, though winter storms do occasionally force temporary closures during particularly nasty weather. It's one of the highest paved roads in the region, so the views and the challenge are definitely worth the effort.