Tour of the Petit Ballon from the Col de Boenlesgrab

This walk or snowshoe hike offers superb views all around the Petit Ballon. Alternating between wide tracks and narrower paths, the route passes through both wooded areas and perfectly open ridges. Numerous farm inns (some of which are closed in winter) and mountain huts line the route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 356 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 356 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,221 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 865 m

Description of the walk

Start of the hike: Auberge du Boenlesgrab. Car park in front of the inn at the end of Route du Boenlesgrab, accessed via Lautenbach.

(S/E) Take the path to the left of the inn towards the Strohberg farmhouse inn and the Petit Ballon (Red Disc markings). Turn left at the junction and continue to a farmhouse inn.

(1) After the farmhouse, take the path climbing up to the left towards Kahler Wasen and Petit Ballon. When you rejoin the wide path, continue towards the Col du Petit Ballon (connecting path marked with a Red Saltire). Keep going until you reach the Col du Petit Ballon.

(2) Turn left (south, marked with a Yellow Ring) to the Amis de la Nature refuge.

(3) Turn left and immediately head up to the right onto the ridges, following the Yellow Rectangle markings. (An alternative route is available to reach the summit of the Petit Ballon and enjoy an exceptional view (see practical information).)
After a short stretch through woodland, cross the scree and arrive at the Schelimatt refuge (Dynamo).

(4) Continue on theGR® 532, Yellow Rectangle, along a path and then a wider, relatively steep track (downhill) to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 865 m - Auberge du Boenlesgrab
  2. 1 : km 1.93 - alt. 1,085 m - Strohberg Farm Inn
  3. 2 : km 3.12 - alt. 1,163 m - Col du Petit Ballon
  4. 3 : km 3.68 - alt. 1,206 m - Refuge des Amis de la Nature
  5. 4 : km 4.89 - alt. 1,131 m - Dynamo Refuge
  6. S/E : km 6.82 - alt. 865 m - Auberge du Boenlesgrab

Notes

(3) Optional detour + 500 metres: to enjoy an exceptional view, take a short detour along the Blue Diamond-marked trail which climbs to the summit of Petit Ballon. Descend via the same trail along the ridges until you rejoin the Yellow Rectangle.

Worth a visit

Remarkable viewpoint at Petit Ballon

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
JLS68
JLS68

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant hike with a superb view from the summit of Petit Ballon. Worth doing again.

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User 25812224

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great ride
The weather forecast is accurate.

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Nat68510
Nat68510
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and enjoyable hike with beautiful scenery
A short detour to climb to the summit, with a magnificent view
Did it in autumn with the perfect backdrop: orange colours and mushrooms of all kinds, and the stubble in all its glory
Worth doing again

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JCRietsch
JCRietsch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

To do and do again in all seasons

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