Col de Chantoiseau (920m) walks

A very beautiful hike with a stunning view from the summit of Ballon d'Alsace over two other ballons. This hike takes us to the remarkable sites of Saut de la Truite, Rummel Waterfall, Étang du Petit Haut and Vierge du Ballon.

A very pleasant walk in the foothills of the Vosges.The walk follows mostly wide, gently sloping paths.Beautiful views over the valleys.Several picnic spots with shelter.The route is marked by a Red Ring.

This is a moderate hike on a path that crosses a magnificent Vosges forest. Between the trees towards the Col du Chantoiseau, there is a view of the Swiss Jura. Experienced hikers can take a detour from the Chantoiseau to Tremonkopf for a 360° view. The descent from Chantoiseau reveals a view of Planche des Belles Filles and Ballon d'Alsace. The end of the route crosses the pretty village of Planche le Prêtre.

A lovely walk in the Southern Vosges with beautiful panoramic views, the Wissgrutt pastures and the chance to explore distinctive rocks and boulders (Grande Roche, Pierre Écrite, Roche du Serpent).

The walk is a bit of a challenge at the start with a significant climb, but it’s along a shaded forest track with a gentle gradient. The magic happens again when you emerge from the forest and reach the stubble fields, where you can enjoy a different atmosphere.

A lovely walk with plenty of magnificent views over the valley.

The route starts in the village of Lepuix, situated at the foot of the southern slope of the Ballon d’Alsace. A pleasant climb through the forest towards the scree slopes of the southern ridges of the Ballon d’Alsace and La Gentiane in the Les Plaines and Wissgrut area, offering magnificent views of the neighbouring mountain ranges: the Grand Ballon, the Black Forest, the Jura, and as far as the Bernese Alps with their legendary peaks (Eiger, Mönch, Jungfrau, etc.) ⚠️Dog kennel between 14 and 15 – best avoided if you have a nervous dog; see comment dated 5 May 2025.

A lovely circular walk that allows you to enjoy superb beech forests whilst offering numerous views of the Southern Vosges. The panorama from the Vierge du Chaume du Wissgrut and the mystery of the Pierre Écrite add some remarkable points of interest. It’s not difficult, but may seem long to some: you can omit the eastern section, which loops via Baerenkopf, reducing the distance by more than 5 km and the elevation gain by 300 m, whilst retaining virtually the same attractions.

A day’s walk; it’s long but not difficult. The steepest section is the climb to the Planche des Belles-Filles from Lepuix; after that, it’s mostly a ridge walk between Haute-Saône and the Territoire de Belfort, all the way to the Ballon d’Alsace. On the return journey, you’ll descend into the valley to the starting point via theGR® 5.

A long walk starting from Lamadeleine Val des Anges, 20 km north-east of Belfort. Along the way, you’ll enjoy the coolness of the forest and superb views from the heights. You’ll pass the shelters at the Col des Sept Chemins and the Col de Chantoiseau. On the ridge, just after the Refuge du Baerenkopf, you’ll be treated to a superb view of the Vosges mountains.

A lovely walk that alternates between pastures, woodland and views over the Savoureuse and Riervescemont valleys, as well as the surrounding hills. You’ll pass through enchanting spots, sometimes in the shade, sometimes with unobstructed views, along paths and forest tracks.

This hike takes you down from Ballon d'Alsace to Giromagny. It is the continuation of the Vosges crossing, proposed by DNA, Passion Vosges and the Journal d'Alsace (see practical information). The first few kilometres are along the ridges, with views of the Black Forest, the Rhine Valley and even the Alps. During this same section, you may come across several ski resorts, such as La Chaumière and La Gentiane. A farmhouse inn at Wissgrut offers lunch. Further on, a shelter at the Col du Chantoiseau provides a place to picnic. The descent then continues, sometimes more steeply than others. The arrival in Giromagny offers views of the city of Belfort.

This long circular hike will take you through or past a large number of remarkable, picturesque and spectacular spots, and you’ll have the satisfaction of having climbed the Ballon d’Alsace with a significant elevation gain – something not everyone gets to do. The route can be completed in a long day’s walk, provided you are in good shape and set off early in the morning. It is very manageable over two days at a more leisurely pace, with an overnight stay at the Ballon d’Alsace.