- Plenty of places to refuel in Soultz (S/E)
- For overnight accommodation, remember to book at the Chalet-hotel du Grand Ballon
- You can eat at La Vue des Alpes or the Ferme Auberge du Grand Ballon: in both cases, remember to book in advance.
- There are numerous tables and shelters along the route, particularly during the second stage
The Grand Ballon from Soultz loop
The Grand Ballon is a legendary peak in the Vosges. It is easily accessible by car. More experienced hikers can reach it on foot via various hiking trails. One of the longest routes starts from Soultz. The climb is steady on the first day and the descent is steady on the second. The more athletic can complete this hike in a single day, but to fully enjoy the scenery, it is better to do it over two days. This hike will leave you with lasting memories of the view from the summit at over 1,400 metres above sea level.
Technical sheet
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 28.26 km -
Average duration: 2 days -
Difficulty: Difficult -
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Back to start: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 1,282 m -
Vertical drop: - 1,281 m -
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Highest point: 1,423 m -
Lowest point: 276 m
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Country:
France
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Area: Vosges mountains -
District:
Soultz-Haut-Rhin (68360) -
Start/End: N 47.883048° / E 7.225401° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Step by step walk
This route needs several days, find the details below:
Practical information
In the nearby area
Things to see:
First day:
- Soultz
- Stork park at the start of the route
- Gros Chêne
- Panoramic view of Sudel
- Sudel Chapel
Day two:
- Redslob monument
- Monument to the Blue Devils
- Grand Ballon and its viewpoint
- Fuchfelsen viewpoint
- Nez de Soultz viewpoint
- Soultz
Other walks in the area
The heights of Jungholtz
Visorando member 
10.45 km
+432 m
-430 m
4h 15
Moderate
Departure from Jungholtz (Haut-Rhin)
The hike starts in Jungholtz and crosses the communal forest of Guebwiller to take you to the Col de Peternit. Hike between the Guebwiller and Rimbach valleys, among conifers and deciduous trees.
The hike can also be done by mountain bike.
Ascent of Hartmannswillerkopf
Visorando member 
10.96 km
+661 m
-662 m
5h 00
Moderate
Departure from Jungholtz (Haut-Rhin)
A beautiful hike on Hartmannswillerkopf mountain, also known as "The Man-Eater", where a battle took place during the First World War.
You can discover various historical remains (old cemeteries, old shelters, ruins, trenches) and a magnificent view of the Alsace Plain.
A short walk to the Croix de la Mission above Guebwiller
Visorando member 
2.71 km
+113 m
-113 m
1h 05
Easy
Departure from Guebwiller (Haut-Rhin)
A short walk from Guebwiller will take you through the Alsatian vineyards to the Croix de la Mission, where you will have a beautiful view of Guebwiller, the Grand Ballon and, above all, the Alsace plain.
The Heidenbuckel menhir and the Dietrichstein sacrificial stone
Visorando member 
6.18 km
+275 m
-275 m
2h 35
Moderate
Departure from Guebwiller (Haut-Rhin)
An easy walk full of discoveries that passes through the beautiful Grossberg clearing (look for its totem tree!). Nearby is the Heidenbuckel menhir, which was once used as a ceremonial site. Further on, we arrive at Dietrichstein, which was probably a place of sacrifice in the 8th century BC.
Bollwiller and its surroundings
Visorando member 
6.00 km
+10 m
-10 m
1h 45
Easy
Departure from Bollwiller (Haut-Rhin)
This route starting from Bollwiller will allow you to discover the village and its surroundings. Starting from the castle, visit the village centre and then set off to explore the rural hillside with its breathtaking view of the Vosges mountains. On the way back, pass through Cité Sainte-Thérèse, a former mining town typical of the region.
The northern trenches of Hartmannswillerkopf
Visorando member 
9.23 km
+597 m
-595 m
4h 20
Moderate
Departure from Soultz-Haut-Rhin (Haut-Rhin)
The Hartmannswillerkopf (HWK, Viel Armand in French) was the scene of fierce fighting throughout 1915. Like the "South Trenches of the HWK" hike, this hike pays tribute to the combatants by following part of their trenches and shelters. It begins with an ascent of the northern slope of the massif and the German side to the summit, followed by a descent via the French side before passing by the Sicurani Chapel.
Tour of Rimbach-près-Guebwiller via the Glasshütte farmhouse inn
Visorando member 
12.51 km
+536 m
-535 m
5h 05
Moderate
Departure from Rimbach-près-Guebwiller (Haut-Rhin)
A pleasant circular on the heights of Rimbach-près-Guebwiller in beautiful forests, passing through Münsteraeckerle and Judenhut. Halfway through, why not stop off at the very friendly and cosy Ferme Auberge du Glasshütte?
The vineyard on the Rouffach side and the hills of Zinnkoepfle and Bollenberg
Visorando member 
16.18 km
+431 m
-426 m
5h 50
Moderate
Departure from Orschwihr (Haut-Rhin)
The route takes us to the Bollenberg hill, then winds its way through the vineyards on the Rouffach side. Beautiful views of the Alsace plain, the Black Forest and the Jura mountains. We then cross over to the other side, into the Vallée Noble vineyards, interspersed with the limestone hill of Zinnkoepfle. On the way back, we pass through the village of Westhalten.
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