A tour of the Grand Ballon from the Glashutte

The trail starts from the Refuge de la Glashutte, accessible from the village of Rimbach-près-Guebwiller. The refuge is on the right at the top of the hill, before the road descends. There is a large car park on the right.

(S/E) At the foot of the refuge, take the main path marked with a red triangle and arrive at the large crossroads at the Col de Firstacker. The Chapelle du Sudel is visible higher up on the left.

(1) Take the Yellow Disc marked trail on the right, heading due west, which starts in open country before entering the forest. This leads to the D431.

(2) Cross it carefully and take the Yellow Disc trail opposite, which quickly leads to the old Gerstacker farm. There is a beautiful view of the Thur valley and the Rossberg massif opposite. You can take a break here.

(3) Turn right onto a path that climbs up the hill: there is a sign for "Ferme du Grand Ballon". Return to the D431 after joining a path marked with a red rectangle; the Ferme-auberge du Grand Ballon is just opposite.

(4) Cross the road with the same caution and follow the red rectangle trail that passes behind the farm and continues to climb up the heath towards the ski slopes. Walk a little less than 2 km and you will arrive at a crossroads of marked trails.

(5) Take the path that climbs to the left towards the Grand Ballon, following the red rectangle markings. After a short but steep climb, you will rejoin the D431. The restaurant "La Vue des Alpes" is on the right.

(6) Cross the road, climb up to the terrace of the now disused Châlet-hôtel du Club Vosgien, and follow the red rectangle with white stripes trail that leads to the Col du Haag. Reach the farmhouse inn: opposite is the summit of Storckenkopf, the second highest peak in the Vosges.

(7) Return to the road, cross carefully and then take the large Chemin du Roedelen opposite, which is almost passable by vehicle and the only one that is not marked.

(8) Look for the beautiful Refuge Roedelen on the left, turn right onto the path, which becomes a trail. Find the red rectangle crossed with white markings and follow them straight ahead until you reach an intersection.

(9) Continue straight ahead, following the markings, to reach the Col de Judenhut, with the shelter on your right.

(10) Cross the main path opposite to find a Blue Triangle marked trail on the right that leads back to the Glashutte refuge and the car park (S/E).

(3) At the Gerstacker farm, you can continue straight ahead, as the yellow-marked trail leads directly to the Haag Pass. This saves 1.5 km and, more importantly, 200 m of elevation gain. However, there are fewer beautiful views than on the route described above.

(6) You can climb to the summit of Grand Ballon instead of going directly to Col du Haag. The start of the well-marked trail is at the now disused chalet-hotel. Once at the summit, follow the signs to Col du Haag.

(7) In winter, the Chemin du Roedelen at Col du Haag is groomed for cross-country skiing. To use it, be sure to walk on the side and not in the tracks of the cross-country skiers. In case of heavy traffic, it is possible to bypass it by going up towards the Col du Ballon (Red Rectangle crossed out in White trail) opposite the Haag inn, and following the same markings on the left at the Grand Ballon car park, which leads back to the Refuge du Roedelen.

(3) Ferme du Gerstacker, where you can take a break; there is a table and benches.

(4) Ferme-Auberge du Grand Ballon: drinks and meals available, enquire for details.

(6) Col du Grand Ballon: drinks and meals available, two restaurants/bars.

(7) Haag Farm Inn, drinks and meals available, please enquire.

(9) Abri du Judenhut: rest stop available, possibly sheltered from the rain.

(S/E) Ferme-Auberge de la Glashutte, refreshments and meals available, enquire for details.