Cycling loop: Tour des Voirons
Direction of travel: clockwise
Landmarks and connections: Ville-la-Grand (shared departure with Balcons d'Annemasse no. 26, Circuit de la Vallée Verte no. 28 and the Annemasse / Thônes link route no. 23); Machilly (leave Balcons d'Annemasse no. 26); Brens (leave the Annemasse / Thonon-les-Bains link route no. 23); Bons-en-Chablais (leave Circuit de la Vallée Verte no. 28); Boëge (return route shared with Circuit de la Vallée Verte no. 28); bridge at Morand (leave the RD20 main road, don't miss the turn-off) Regional rail network stations: Machilly, Bons-en-Chablais
Description: To complete the circuit of this modest cluster of mountains in the foothills of the Alps, which is completely covered in forests (summit 1,480 metres), you must ascend the Col de Saxel. But there's no need to worry: the gradient is very steady and never exceeds 5% over a distance of 8 km. Added to that, it's well shaded and faces north-east, so the sun is never overpowering; you could say that this is a "mountain pass training school" for learner mountain-bikers! The route itself is not difficult to follow, nor is it particularly dangerous. One way and another, this route has a lot to recommend it. But make sure you don't miss the turn-off from the RD20 main road when you reach the bridge at Morand, at the bottom of the descent from the valley. The mini balcony route that is suggested to get back to La Bergue and then Cranves-Sales keeps you off busy main roads until you reach the outskirts of Annemasse.
