Grand Ballon – Superb panorama of the Vosges loop from Rimbach-près-Guebwiller

Hiking trails & Routes

Grand Ballon – Superb panorama of the Vosges loop from Rimbach-près-Guebwiller

Moderate

4.7

(39)

226

hikers

Grand Ballon – Superb panorama of the Vosges loop from Rimbach-près-Guebwiller

04:57

14.8km

680m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Last updated: August 26, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges

Waypoints

Start point

Restaurant

Get Directions

363 m

Glashütte Farmhouse Inn

Highlight • Other

1.85 km

Firstacker

Mountain Pass

6.11 km

Cave Entrance

6.42 km

The Route des Crêtes, or the Vosges ridge road, is one of the most impressive mountain roads in France. The scenic Route des Crêtes runs along the main ridge of the Southern Vosges almost entirely at an altitude of 1200 m.
Originally, it was laid out by French troops as a supply route during the First World War. Today, in the snow-free months, it is mainly visitors to the Vosges who travel on it. It runs for 75 km from Col du Bonhomme in the north via Col de la Schlucht, Hohneck, Markstein, Grand Ballon and Cernay to Thann in the south.
The route passes several sites from the First World War and touches the highest mountain in the Vosges, the Grand Ballon.
Mostly deciduous and mixed forests line the road, or there are wonderful views of the wooded slopes of the Vosges, the Rhine plain and the Black Forest opposite. On a clear day the view extends as far as the Swiss Alps and Montblanc.
On nice days it is very popular with bikers with and without motor, and hikers get their money's worth on the left and right of the road.
Many convertible tours are also made here, which come from all regions of Europe.
The Ferme, (cozy Alsatian country inns), which can be found along the entire route, offer refreshment opportunities.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.67 km

Blue Devils Monument

Highlight • Monument

beautiful landscape

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.80 km

Grand Ballon

Highlight • Summit

The Grand Ballon (German: Großer Belchen), at 1,424 meters above sea level, offers a magnificent panoramic view and is the highest mountain in the Vosges Mountains.

In 1927, a monument to the Blue Devils (French: Diables bleus), a mountain infantry battalion during World War I, was erected. It was destroyed by the Germans in September 1940 and reconstructed by the sculptor Bouret in October 1960. A radar station has stood on the summit since 1997, serving civilian aviation during approaches to the airports of Strasbourg and Basel-Mulhouse.

On clear days, you can see far into the Rhine Valley and the Alps.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.83 km

Grand Ballon Civil Aviation Radar

Highlight • Other

The radar was designed as an architectural masterpiece by its designer, Claude Vasconi, and was built in 1997.
Under the radome, visitors can access an orientation table offering superb views.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

7.91 km

Way to the observatory

Highlight • Other

very beautiful 360° view

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.17 km

View of the Grand Ballon

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Lac du Ballon, also Belchensee, is a karst lake. In the 16th century, Vauban converted it into a reservoir.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.2 km

Superb panorama of the Vosges

Highlight • Summit

Even on the way to the Grande Ballon, there are always magnificent views of the surrounding landscape.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

14.8 km

End point

Restaurant

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.80 km

5.52 km

1.78 km

598 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

6.36 km

5.80 km

1.60 km

506 m

491 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Thursday 15 October

24°C

7°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 11, 2026,Le Grand Ballon depuis la ferme Glashütte ⛰️

☀️🚶🏻‍♀️🐕 Ascent to the summit of Grand Ballon, 1,424 meters altitude, the highest point of the Vosges massif..
A beautiful route with a very gentle and constant slope..
Unfortunately this morning the sky was very milky so no grand views at the summit..

Showing Translation