Gustiberg - Lac du Ballon - Grand Ballon circular route, starting from Firstacker

There is a car park on a left-hand bend on the Route des Crêtes (D431), about 1.5 km after the Col Amic in the direction of the Grand Ballon.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the Blue Triangle marked trail that climbs to the Firstaker trail junction.
The hike follows several trails marked by the Club Vosgien.

(1) From this junction, follow the red rectangle markings for^{the GR®5 trail}to the left, towards Auberge du Grand Ballon. The trail climbs steadily through the forest, crossing the Route des Crêtes for^{the first} time. Continue climbing, the landscape changes and the forest gives way to stubble fields and pastures. The^GR®5crosses the road a^second time to reach the Auberge du Ballon.

(2) Go behind the Auberge du Grand Ballon, on the right. Leave the^GR®5and follow the red diamond trail markers through pastures and undergrowth. Cross the ski lifts, cross paths and, for^{the first} time, the path marked with red-white-red rectangles (a variant of^{the GR®5}). Continue straight ahead towards the north, following the red diamond markings until you reach the red-white-red rectangle path for^{the second} time.

(3) At the crossroads, follow the Red-White-Red Rectangle marked path towards Gustiberg. The path leaves the forest and continues north.
At crossroads with variants of the same markings, keep heading north towards Gustiberg.
Enter the forest again, descending a fairly steep slope. When the descent levels off, the path leads to a large crossroads near the Gustiberg inn.

(4) Go behind the inn, turn left and follow the blue cross markings. At the three-way junction, turn right towards Lac du Ballon, and do the same at the next three-way junction.

(5) When you reach the lake (picnic possible), cross the dam on the right, climb the stairs and turn left, following the red-white-red rectangle markings towards Col du Haag / Grand Ballon. Walk along the lake for a few hundred metres towards the south.

(6) Before reaching the end of the lake, leave the path that goes around it and climb the path on the right that winds up through the forest, following the red-white-red rectangle signpost towards Col du Haag / Grand Ballon.

(7) At the junction with a wide path, continue straight ahead, following the red-white-red rectangle marker. After a few switchbacks and a large left turn, you will arrive at a junction with the^GR®532.

(8) Take it on the left, following the yellow rectangle markings towards Col du Haag. The path approaches the Route des Crêtes, joining it at Col du Haag.

(9) At the pass, cross over towards the Grand Ballon (visible on the left) via the^GR®5trail marked with red rectangles. There is a steep climb through pastures and then rocky terrain. After a few hundred metres, you will pass through areas of scree, which are dangerous and unstable, so take care. Enjoy the view of the mountains on your right.
The path goes around the summit to the west and south. Keep left, following the^GR®5.

(10) When you reach the Diables Bleus monument, then the radar station, take in the location and its exceptional panorama. Then take the footbridge to the right, still marked with a red rectangle.

(11) At the fork, continue left towards the Chalet du Club Vosgien. The long descent begins, with a view of Lac du Ballon on the left. The path leads to a crossroads near the Chalet-Hotel du Club Vosgien.

(12) Continue to follow the red rectangle markings, descend towards the road on the right, and follow the Route des Crêtes for a few hundred metres. This is not the most pleasant part of the walk, so be careful ofother people (pedestrians, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, camper vans).

(13) Just after a ski lift cabin on the left, the^GR®5descends to the left (red rectangle signpost), towards the Ferme-Auberge du Grand Ballon.

(2) Back at the Auberge du Grand Ballon, retrace your steps, cross the Route des Crêtes and continue on the^GR®5towards Firstacker.

(1) At the Firstacker crossroads, return to the car park via the Blue Triangle trail (S/E).

The hike is of medium difficulty, but there are a few steep sections both uphill and downhill: walking shoes are recommended.

Minuses: the climb to the Grand Ballon is mainly worthwhile (in my opinion) for the sporting achievement and the satisfaction of having climbed the highest peak in the Vosges. In high season, watch out for the many vehicles (motorbikes, cars, camper vans) that come from all directions and do not always pay attention to hikers. Be careful on the section that runs along the Route des Crêtes and its various crossings.

Pros: the entire hike and the climb to the Grand Ballon obviously offer magnificent views of various peaks and valleys. Apart from a few sections, the walk is shaded almost all the way, so from this point of view it is ideal in summer!