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The start and finish points are at the car park of the Notre-Dame de Thierenbach Basilica
(S/A) Follow the road towards the Spa Les Violettes hotel, following the ‘Blue Cross’ signposts. When you reach the hotel, continue along the ascending road to the right. When the road bends to the left, carry on straight ahead, leaving this road to take the ascending path towards Sudelkopf. At the end of the climb, at the junction 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 track leading uphill to the right, following the ‘Yellow Disc’ markings. At thefirst bend a few metres further on, you’ll come to a crossroads of paths.
(2) Follow the Yellow Disc markings to the left and continue until you reach a multi-way junction at the Zimmermann Cross.
(3) Walk along the road towards the bridge. Before reaching the bridge, take the forest track leading uphill to the left, following the Red Triangle markings towards Kohlschlag. Walk alongside the Kaltenbach stream until you reach a Y-junction.
(4) Keep left, following the Red Triangle markings, until you reach Kohlschlag Farm. Climb the hill to reach the Col Amic car park, where you’ll find theGR®®5.
(5) Turn right onto it and follow the Red Rectangle markings. Continue uphill to reach the Firstacker junction.
(6) Turn left, staying on theGR®®5, cross the Route des Crêtes twice and then head for the Auberge du Grand Ballon.
(7) Keep theGR®® signpost in front of you on the main path leading up the ski run. This path splits into two at a copse; walk alongside the copse and turn left at the end of it. Follow this path to reach 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 thesecond junction, turn right and follow the Red Ring markings to reach the Grand Ballon speed camera.
(9) Head down the paved path to the right to reach the Chalet-Hôtel du Grand Ballon.
(10) Go round the back of the chalet-hotel and take a path leading down to the left. Here, follow the Red Rectangle markings with a white bar. You’ll easily reach the Ferme du Haag.
(11) Turn left onto the path marked with a Yellow Cross. Descend through the forest to reach the Oberer Sattel shelter.
(12) Turn left onto the road, then take the path at thefirst bend; the markings here are a Yellow Disc. Continue through the forest until you reach a clearing and a path junction.
(13) Leave the Yellow Disc markings here and take a descending path to the right. Follow this path to reach the Firstacker junction.
(6) Take the ascending path opposite, marked with a Blue Cross, and reach the junction at the Sudel Refuge.
(14) Carry on and 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 markings are still the Blue Cross. After following the path for some time, when you reach a forest track, carry on straight ahead, veering slightly to the left. Shortly afterwards, at the three-way junction, take the path leading down to the right, marked with a Yellow Disc. At the junction, continue along the path that descends until you reach a hairpin bend. Take this bend to the right, and a few metres further on, take the path leading down to the left. This will bring you back to the crossroads you passed on the way out.
(2) Turn left to follow the route taken on the way out, pass the Carrefour de l’Heure again, and follow the shared Red Ring and Blue Cross markings to return to the car park at the Basilica of Tierenbach (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
Easy 
Tourist office
Difficult 
