From the Étang du Petit Haut to the Ballon d'Alsace Bomb Disposal Unit Monument

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This walk leads, without any major difficulty, to the Col du Ballon. It begins on a forest track leading to the beautiful Étang du Petit Haut, which makes a good spot for a break. Then, through the shady Fagnes forest, it leads to the ridge path at a place called Les Démineurs, where a monument dedicated to the bomb disposal experts stands.

Details

n°94979960
Creation:
Last update:
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.93 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 283 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 283 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,171 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 887 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the free car park located on a hairpin bend on the D465, at La Goutte des Œillets.

(S/E) Take the forest track towards the Étang du Petit Haut, which is about 800 m away.

(1) Follow the path marked with a Yellow Disc to the right, which is joined further on by a Blue Disc. You will reach a three-way junction.

(2) Go straight ahead, keeping to the left, and walk for about 150 m.

(3) Turn left onto a path marked with a Blue Ring, leaving the Yellow Disc behind.

(4) Keep to the right at this junction, cross the Savoureuse stream and continue climbing, following a hairpin bend.

(5) Continue straight on until the next junction, located on the ridge.

(6) Continue to the right, on the path marked with a Yellow Disc, and leave the path marked with the Blue Ring. Then head straight on to reach the Monument to the Bomb Disposal Experts (Ballon d'Alsace).

(7) Turn back and follow the same route in the opposite direction to return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 888 m - Car park. D465
  2. 1 : km 0.83 - alt. 921 m - Étang du Petit Haut
  3. 2 : km 1.43 - alt. 1,024 m - Three-way junction
  4. 3 : km 1.61 - alt. 1,035 m - Turn left
  5. 4 : km 2.48 - alt. 1,045 m - Junction, straight ahead
  6. 5 : km 3.37 - alt. 1,122 m - Crossroads, straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 3.52 - alt. 1,137 m - Junction on the ridge
  8. 7 : km 3.96 - alt. 1,171 m - Car park - Monument des démineurs
  9. S/E : km 7.93 - alt. 888 m - Car park. D465

Notes

Hostels and toilets at the Col du Ballon.

Worth a visit

Summit of the Ballon d'Alsace.

Other walks in the area

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