Le Petit Ballon without too much climbing

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The aim of this hike is to reach the Petit Ballon with as little climbing as possible. Due to its position, away from the other peaks of the Vosges, the view stretches far into the distance.

Details

n°680203
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.28 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 109 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 109 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,272 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,155 m
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Photos

Le Grand Ballon
Panorama from the summit of Petit Ballon
Vierge
Vosges cow

Description of the walk

Via the Munster Valley, take the Petit Ballon road and park at the pass a few hundred metres from the summit.

(S/E) Take the wide forest path on the left, which starts off flat in a forest (markings: red disc).

(1) Before the path descends, climb up to the right onto the trail (red cross). Wind your way through the trees. When you reach a carriage road, turn left, then very quickly right. Follow the steep north-eastern slope of the Petit Ballon.

(2) You will soon reach the summit. Go through the fence and descend opposite to reach the refuge visible below. At the refuge, turn right to reach the pass (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,163 m - Car park at the pass - Col du Petit Ballon
  2. 1 : km 0.72 - alt. 1,155 m - Ascent on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.46 - alt. 1,272 m - Opposite - Petit Ballon
  4. S/E : km 2.28 - alt. 1,163 m - Car park at the pass - Col du Petit Ballon

Notes

Avoid this hike in winter, as the section before the summit can be very dangerous due to snow. Instead, take the direct ascent from the starting point.

Wear sturdy footwear and bring some water with you.

There are several farmhouse inns nearby.

Worth a visit

From the summit, you can see much of the Vosges mountains, as well as the Alsace plain and the Black Forest.

Le Petit Ballon is home to many remnants of the First World War: bunkers, trenches and even the arrival station of a cable car (access prohibited).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 10 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
G. Philippe
G. Philippe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful walk with no particular difficulties and magnificent views.

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virgule
virgule

Hello,

I passed by the summit of Petit Ballon and the pass this morning. This route is indeed a good walk for children who don't like walking too much.
My comment concerns the number of visitors: at the Petit Ballon pass, at 10 a.m. on a weekday, outside of school holidays and in terrible weather, there were already more than a dozen cars parked there. When you come from another region, it's surprising.

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GRP2016DABO
GRP2016DABO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely little hike to do in good weather.
Surprised by a large herd of goats lost on the road to the Petit Ballon pass: did a hiker forget to close their enclosure?
You can stop for a bite to eat at the Rothenbachkopf farmhouse inn or at the refuge above.

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François et Mireille
François et Mireille

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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Netra
Netra ★
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The "without too much climbing" in the title is justified for this hike, which is well suited to families (we did it with children aged 4 and 8). The setting is superb and the panoramic views extensive.

The route is completed by a return trip to Steinberg from the Col du Petit Ballon (no difficulty).

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alcha79
alcha79

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant woodland route on the first part up to the summit of Petit Ballon, especially when the sun is beating down, as the shade is very welcome! The vegetation allows you to admire the landscape, with breathtaking views over the Alsace plain and the German hills.
It was a pleasant surprise to find a group of model aircraft enthusiasts as we left the woods, and we were able to admire the aerial prowess of their machines. The descent offers a nice view, although less attractive than the first part.
This route is great fun to do with children.

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19490209
19490209

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The climb was pleasant, even varied, and at the summit there was a view of different peaks. We will do it again as a family.

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cedetsev
cedetsev

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A really enjoyable hike with magnificent views.
Picnic stop at the "Les amis de la nature" refuge, superb view.

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DENISEFABIENNE
DENISEFABIENNE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

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Val Géant
Val Géant

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant little walk, without any difficulty.
However, be mindful of the weather, as at altitude the weather can change quickly and the wind can blow strongly.

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reveillo
reveillo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 02, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Short hike, very shady during the ascent
The description is good, but there are no markings on the ground
The free flight site for model aircraft enthusiasts offers a spectacular view

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Other walks in the area

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The starting point for this hike in the Petit Ballon massif is at Wassmatt, at an altitude of over 800 m, which reduces the elevation gain. After reaching Buchwald with its hundred-year-old beech trees and panoramic view of the Wasserbourg valley, the Alsace plain and the Black Forest, the route takes us to the peaks and then plunges through the forest to Boenlesgrab. The return journey, which is more peaceful, passes through Dreischoepf and Hanspen before reaching Wassmatt again.

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The Petit Ballon tour starts at the Wasenmatten farmhouse inn. A challenging start (+300 m) precedes a gentle descent with superb views of the surrounding mountains - the Vosges, the Black Forest, the Jura and, for the lucky ones, the Alps.

Walking The tour of the stubble fields of the Petit Ballon

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Departure from the Col de Boenlesgrab, passing by the Refuge de la Schellimat, near Hilzen, via Bockswasen, then by the Refuge des Amis de la Nature below the summit of the Petit Ballon, then continuing after the summit along the ridges via the Col du Petit Ballon, Steinberg and its megaliths, then Grothkopf.Return via the farmsteads of Kahlenwassen (near the Virage Pinot) and Buchwald, the former intermediate station of the German cable car, then via the Strohberg farmstead before descending via Brudermatt to the Col du Boenlesgrab. This hike takes you across magnificent high-altitude stubble fields and offers numerous 360° views of the Vosges peaks and nearby Alsatian valleys.

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A hike with very varied landscapes and paths: small hiking trails, forest paths and exceptional views of the surroundings of the Munster Valley, the Grand Ballon and the Alsace plain from the summits of the Petit Ballon and Steinberg.

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