A quick tour of the Ballon d'Alsace

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The ultimate Sunday outing for Belfort residents! In good weather, this short circuit allows you to get a breath of fresh air accompanied by a magnificent view of the Vosges, the Jura and the Alps (you can even see Mont Blanc on a very clear day!).

Details

n°2012
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 76 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 76 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,247 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,171 m
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Photos

Ballon d'Alsace
Ballon d'Alsace
Joan of Arc
North side

Description of the walk

Park next to the Ballon farmhouse inn.

(S) Follow the path that winds its way up to the summit.

(1) After walking along a sparse forest, you will arrive at the statue of the Virgin Mary. A little further on is an orientation table.

(2) After the orientation table, continue your journey along the summit ridge. You will walk along the steep slopes on the east and north sides of the Ballon d'Alsace.
You will pass the Jumenterie ski lifts

(3) At the statue of Joan of Arc, descend towards the road until you reach the monument to the bomb disposal experts.

(4) Finally, return to your starting point via the path that runs alongside the road and passes over the Savoureuse (spring on the left) (E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,171 m - Car park next to the Ballon farmhouse inn
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 1,241 m - Vierge du Ballon
  3. 2 : km 0.73 - alt. 1,247 m - Ballon d'Alsace
  4. 3 : km 1.64 - alt. 1,238 m - Statue of Joan of Arc
  5. 4 : km 2.2 - alt. 1,173 m - Monument des démineurs
  6. S/E : km 2.65 - alt. 1,171 m - Car park next to the Ballon farmhouse inn - Savoureuse (rivière)

Notes

This hike is easy and can be done in light footwear.

Information panels explaining the history and flora and fauna of the Ballon d'Alsace are installed along the route. Take the time to read them, as they contain lots of interesting information.

In winter, pay attention to the orange signs: they indicate the presence of snow cornices several metres high that are just waiting to break away under your weight. In addition, the circuit is sometimes groomed, even if the snow is generally hard and blown.

More generally, due to its location, the Ballon d'Alsace is very exposed to bad weather (strong winds, fog). So avoid days when the weather is bad! But the days after a winter storm can offer some splendid landscapes!

Worth a visit

There are several places to eat at Ballon d'Alsace and even a hotel.

You can also go cross-country skiing and downhill skiing there.

In addition, there is a tree-top adventure course near the Gentiane slopes.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 22 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Azimut71
Azimut71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Admittedly, there were a lot of people, but the scenery was worth the initial effort.
The end of the route along the road is no problem: there is a footpath.

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JacCre
JacCre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, easily accessible, with superb views.

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User 875511

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

beautiful views covering almost 360°

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Pierrot -26
Pierrot -26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful view

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FANFAN LA TULIPE
FANFAN LA TULIPE

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant walk, we had a picnic at the top in the sunshine

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kalmar90
kalmar90

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

a short, unpretentious walk with beautiful views of the surrounding valleys

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PASCAL Gérard
PASCAL Gérard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

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bob25
bob25

hike not completed

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you, you and me
This hike is indeed described as being "on foot". Now, everyone is free to choose...

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toi et moi
toi et moi
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

To be done on foot...

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Maurice7006
Maurice7006

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

To be done on foot... on snowshoes... Baekoffen at the Auberge du Ballon... at Michel's. Fitness circuit after hip surgery...

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marwan
marwan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

In good weather, this walk offers us a panorama of incredible beauty. It is very easy to do and allows you to relax afterwards on the terrace of one of the many inns in the area. However, do keep children on the path bordering the precipices!

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BENBAST
BENBAST

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, pleasant walk in hot weather.

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BENBAST
BENBAST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very beautiful, well-shaded walk

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marion.bertagnolio
marion.bertagnolio

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant family walk, accessible even for little legs.
To enjoy the superb view on a clear day, check out the Ballon d'Alsace webcam.

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