Gare de Vieux-Thann walks

A challenging route to explore the highest peak in the Vosges. Reach the Grand Ballon d’Alsace from the Huttopia campsite via the Vosges massif, the Vieil Armand, the Col Amic and the Route des Crêtes.

Return to the Hundrunck Pass via the summit of the Vogelstein.

For this lovely new stage, which will take you from Belacker to the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges, follow the Club Vosgien route, marked with Yellow Rectangles. These markings indicate theGR®532, an iconic walking route across the Vosges linking Woerth in the Bas-Rhin to Belfort. Although the distance is shorter, this stage is by no means easy. After a descent towards Saint Amarin, with a 560m drop in altitude, don’t forget to save your energy, as a 1,000m climb then awaits you to reach the “roof of the Vosges”.

Enjoy a relaxing break at Lac du Ballon before setting off again along the Route des Crêtes. The route for this second day, starting from the Grand Ballon, includes a short detour to Lac du Ballon, so you can take in the scenery and the tranquillity of this little paradise. The walk continues along the Route des Crêtes to Markstein, with views of the Grand Ballon and the Thur Valley, and, if you wish, you can enjoy the leisure and outdoor activities on offer at the Markstein resort.

An easy route, gently undulating across the highest peaks of the Vosges, through stubble fields and forests. Magnificent views over the surrounding valleys.

Randonnée presque quasiment en montée qui permet de relier Soultz, sympathique village culturel, au Col du Grand Ballon où vous pourrez passer la nuit avant d'aller le lendemain matin au sommet. Bien que cette étape soit courte en kilomètres, elle comporte un important dénivelé à ne pas négliger. Mais que de beautés en revanche entre les forêts et points de vues remarquables dans la dernière partie du parcours.

First day of the 3-day Grand Ballon circuit. Starting from Guebwiller, the first day of this multi-day hike will take you to the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, which rises to an altitude of 1,424 metres. The ascent is quite challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Along the way, you can enjoy the varied landscapes and the flora and fauna of the Vosges, and on arrival, the exceptional panoramic views across the whole of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and, on a clear day, even the Bernese Alps.

Get straight to the heart of the matter with the ascent of the Grand Ballon, which will delight the fittest walkers! Starting from Guebwiller, the first day of this multi-day hike will take you to the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges mountains, which rises to an altitude of 1,424 metres. The climb to this pass is therefore quite challenging and requires a good level of fitness. Along the way, you’ll be able to enjoy the varied landscapes and the flora and fauna of the Vosges, and on arrival, the exceptional panoramic views across the whole of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and even the Bernese Alps if the sky is clear.

The Munster Valley, Hohrodberg, Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle – just how far will the Col d’Oberlauchen take your view? Setting off from Markstein, before crossing the resort’s ski slopes, you can stop off to visit the Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Chapel for a brief cultural break. Heading towards the Petit Ballon, this route crosses numerous passes and peaks, such as the Klintzkopf and the Hilsenfirst, not to mention the Col d’Oberlauchen, from which you’ll be able to spot many of the area’s distinctive features… Keep your eyes peeled!

From the Markstein, the sixteenth stage of the journey across the Vosges proposed by Passion Vosges magazine continues along the Great Vosges Ridge towards the massif’s highest point, the Grand Ballon. After a visit to the Hartmannswillerkopf battlefield (1914–1918) and a climb to the summit of the Molkenrain, a long descent through the forest begins, heading towards Thann and its famous Gothic collegiate church. Franck Buchy’s account of this sixteenth stage can be found in *Passion Vosges*.