Ascent to Grand Ballon from Jungholtz

The starting and finishing point is at the car park of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Thierenbach

(S/E). Follow the road towards the Les Violettes spa hotel, following the blue cross markings. When you reach the hotel, continue along the road ascending to the right. When the road turns to the left, continue straight ahead, leaving this road to take the ascending path towards Sudelkopf. At the end of the climb, at the crossroads of several paths, take the one on the right and continue straight ahead. You will reach the Carrefour de l'Heure.

(1) Take the forest path ascending to the right, following the yellow disc markings. A few metres further on, in the^first bend, you will come to a trail junction.

(2) Follow the yellow disc markings to the left and continue until you reach a multiple crossroads at the Croix de Zimmermann.

(3) Walk along the road towards the bridge. Before reaching it, take the forest path ascending to the left, following the red triangle markings towards Kohlschlag. Walk along the Kaltenbach stream until you reach a Y-junction.

(4) Keep left on the red triangle markings and you will reach the Kohlschlag farm. Climb the hill to reach the Col Amic car park, where you will find the^GR®5.

(5) Turn right and follow the red rectangle markings. Continue uphill to reach the Firstacker crossroads.

(6) Turn left, still on the^GR®5, cross the Route des Crêtes twice and then reach the Auberge du Grand Ballon.

(7) Keep to the^GR® opposite, located on the main path going up the ski slope. This slope will be divided in two by a copse. Walk along this copse and turn left at the end of it. Follow this path and you will come out at the Parking de la Rose car park below the Ballon d'Alsace.

(8) Continue to follow the red rectangle markings, taking the path to the right of the information board. Pass by the Diables Bleus monument. At the^second crossroads, turn right and follow the red ring markings to reach the Grand Ballon radar station.

(9) Go down the paved path on the right to reach the Chalet-Hôtel du Grand Ballon.

(10) Go behind the chalet-hotel and take a path downhill to the left. Follow the red rectangle with a white stripe markings. You will easily reach the Haag Farm.

(11) Turn left onto the path marked with a yellow cross. Descend into the forest and reach the Oberer Sattel shelter.

(12) Take the road on the left, then the path at the^first bend, marked with a yellow disc. Continue through the forest until you reach a clearing and a crossroads.

(13) Leave the yellow disc markings here and take a path downhill to the right. Continue along this path until you reach the Firstacker crossroads.

(6) Take the path opposite, marked with a blue cross, and continue uphill until you reach the Sudel Refuge crossroads.

(14) Continue downhill, following the blue cross markings, to reach the multi-directional junction at the Holzwasen shelter.

(15) Take the path on the right towards Soultz. The trail is still marked with blue crosses. After following the trail for a long time, when you reach a forest path, continue straight ahead, veering slightly to the left. Shortly afterwards, at the three-way junction, take the path downhill to the right with yellow disc markings. At the three-way junction, continue on the path downhill until you reach a hairpin bend. Take this bend to the right and, a few metres further on, take the path downhill to the left. This will take you back to the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(2) Turn left and follow the same route as on the way there, passing Carrefour de l'Heure again, and follow the red ring and blue cross markings to return to the car park at Tierenbach Basilica (S/E).

This route requires a good level of fitness as the climb is long and continuous up to the Grand Ballon.
During the winter season, remember to call the farms to find out their opening dates.
The route is accessible on snowshoes (rated Very Difficult).

(5) and (9) Viewpoints from Col Amic and Grand Ballon.
Before (5) Kohlschlag farmhouse inn.
(7) Grand Ballon farmhouse inn.
(8) Chalet-Hôtel du Grand Ballon restaurant.
(11) Haag farmhouse inn.
(12) Oberer Sattel shelter.