The Col de la Forclaz sits at 1,150 metres above the east shore of the lake, about 30 minutes' drive from Annecy. It is one of the great paragliding launch sites in Europe — the steep south-facing slope generates reliable thermals from late morning, and the landing field at Talloires below is wide and forgiving — and on any sunny afternoon the sky above the lake is full of canopies.
Tandem flights with qualified instructors are available from several launches at the col for around €100 — a 20–30 minute flight from launch to lakeside. For those who would rather stay on the ground, the col is also the start of fine ridge walks to the Dent du Lanfonnet and the Tournette, and there are a couple of mountain restaurants at the top with the best view of the lake you can get without leaving it.