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On the Grand-Rue in Lautenbachzell, take the road that climbs diagonally just before the last houses, towards Gustiberg. Continue along the paved road, following the signs, until you reach a car park and the end of the road.
(S/E) From the car park, head towards Felsenbach by taking the path that continues from the car park and descends slightly. Cross a meadow and then join the Felsenbach stables. Follow the tarmac road for 200 metres before taking the path on the left that starts above the oratory.
(1) Follow the path through woods and meadows until you reach a small square bordered by a chalet, where you will have a slightly wider view.
(2) Continue along the path that branches off slightly to the right, then crosses a large meadow. After a few dozen metres through the forest, you will come to a wider forest path.
(3) Turn left. The path then climbs steadily.
(4) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead, climbing towards Lac du Grand Ballon. Stay on the path and follow the red and white markings.
(5) As you pass a concrete-reinforced embankment, you can reach the Seebach waterfall on your right by taking a small path that descends steeply. If you decide to visit the waterfall, bear in mind that you will have to climb back up to the path you left. Back on the path, continue climbing and leave a flat path on your right until you reach the dam that borders the Lac du Grand Ballon. Then climb the stairs to discover the lake.
(6) Cross the dam and you will reach the car park after about 100 metres. Walk along the lake until you come to a barely visible path on the right (red and white markings). Take this path. It climbs in switchbacks, which are fairly wide at first, then, after another forest path, in tighter switchbacks. The path then widens and descends a little before climbing again to the Col du Haag and its farmhouse inn. You will then see the bare summit of the Grand Ballon, which appears close. However, there is still a 200m climb to go.
(7) Follow the road for 100 metres and turn right, following the red rectangles. The path is quite narrow but very pleasant and takes you to the summit of the Grand Ballon via its south face.
(8) At the summit, climb the stairs that lead under the radome and admire the view. From here, you can see a large part of the Vosges mountains, as well as the Alsace plain, the Black Forest, the Jura mountains and, in good weather, the Alps (sometimes even as far as Mont Blanc). Go back down the stairs, stay on the ridge and head to the secondary summit to enjoy the view once again. Just before you get there, take the path on your left (in the direction of the radome = secondary summit) which will take you to the hotel and the road.
(9) Take the road on the left and follow it for 200 metres until you reach the hairpin bend. Then take the path that branches off to the right under the trees. You will quickly cross more meadows until you come to a wider path. Take the path opposite (or turn right and then very quickly left) until you reach the Roedelen farm.
(10) Continue downhill in the same direction. At the bend, ignore the main path and continue straight ahead until you reach the forest. The slope then becomes steeper. After a flatter section, you will reach the Gustiberg farmhouse inn.
(11) Turn right and continue straight ahead downhill. You will come to a flat area where you will see a picnic table. Continue straight ahead on the flat. The path will then take you to the top of the Felsenbach waterfall. Retrace your steps for about 100 metres and take the barely visible path on the right (blue cross). After a few hairpin bends, take the time to view the waterfall from below.
(12) Continue along the path, which levels out, then passes a water intake before widening. Leave a steep logging track on your right and take the narrow path on the right until you reach a much wider forest road. Turn right to continue downhill and finally return to your starting point (S/E).
Superb sporty hike
Visorando Member
Easy 
Moderate 
Tourist office
