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Park at La Jumenterie. You can get there via the road leading from Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle up to the Ballon d’Alsace.
(S/E) Go round the buildings on the left and follow the Blue Ring marked trail towards the Birkel viewpoint. Depending on the season, you’ll need sure-footedness and constant vigilance until you reach the Col de Ronde Tête.
(1) Pass the Birkel viewpoint and continue along the ‘Blue Ring’ marked trail to reach the Col de Ronde Tête.
(2) Carry on along the Blue Ring – Red Rectangle trail towards the Col des Charbonniers until you reach the start of a downhill path on the right marked Blue Ring – Red Saltire.
(3) Turn right and head for a four-way junction (elevation 1044). Continue along the Red Saltire trail, which branches off to the left.
(4) Turn left and follow the Red Saltire markings.
(5) Ignore the Red Rectangle with a white cross on the left and carry on straight ahead.
(6) Take a short break, if you wish, at the Chalet Hutte du Schaling and continue along the Red Saltire trail.
(7) Head towards “Wasserfall” on your right, following the Red Saltire signposts, and reach the waterfall, where you’ll need to climb a small ladder to get to it and take some lovely photos.
(8) Carry on to the Alfeld Lake dam, built in 1883 by the Germans.
(9) Keep the dam on your right, carry on for a few dozen metres, then turn left, following the Blue Rectangle signposting. Head straight on to the Sewen waterfalls.
(10) Continue to follow the Blue Rectangle signposts: be careful, as the path can be slippery depending on the weather.
(11) Stay on the Blue Rectangle path, ignoring the Blue Triangle on your left. You’ll reach the wayside shrine and Lake Sewen, where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the lake.
(12) Continue along the path until you reach Sewen, a few metres from the bridge over the Ruisseau de l’Alfeld. Cross the bridge, then turn immediately left towards the church.
(13) Turn right, walk past the church and turn right again into Rue Elbach. At number 28, turn left and cross the small bridge over the Doller.
(14) Turn right to leave the village, continuing to follow the Blue Rectangle.
(15) Turn right onto the bridge to cross the Doller again and follow the road to the left: Red Triangle and Red Cross signposts.
(16) At the junction, stay on the road and continue following the Red Cross markings, ignoring the Red Triangle on the right.
(17) Just before the farm, follow the path that climbs to the right and leads onto the dirt track to Grand Langenberg.
(18) Take the path opposite, cross another forest track and continue to follow the Red Cross signposts. The climb is long but steady.
(19) Carry on straight ahead until you reach the Wissgrut farmhouse inn, where you can have a bite to eat when it is open.
(20) Turn right, follow the path marked with a Red Rectangle and head for the Vierge du Wissgrut: a beautiful view of the Ballons of the Vosges.
(21) Follow the markings to reach the Plain de la Gentiane and then La Gentiane: a picnic area where you can enjoy your packed lunch.
(22) Continue straight on, following the ‘Red Rectangle’ markings, cross the D466, carry on straight ahead and rejoin the path at a place called La Chaumière.
(23) Pass the inn on the left by the roadside, then a picnic area. Follow the D465 for a short distance, then turn off to the right. You’ll reach a crossroads at the edge of the forest, not far from the Auberge du Ballon d’Alsace.
(24) Begin the climb leading to the Ballon d’Alsace: Red Rectangle. Reach the Vierge du Ballon (1,247 m): orientation table and lovely views of the surrounding area.
(25) Continue on to the Ballon d’Alsace.
(26) Turn left: follow the Yellow Disc markings. Head towards the statue of Joan of Arc.
(27) Turn right onto the Red Disc path, which is situated slightly above the statue. Head straight down to return to La Jumenterie (S/E).
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