Hiking from Guebwiller to the Grand Ballon

My summary

Hiking map and GPX

The basis of this hike is the route proposed by the Guebwiller tourist office, to which I’ve added the ascent to the summit of the Grand Ballon (the original circuit only went up to the pass). I’ve mapped out the route for you on Komoot, so you can see the map and elevation profile as well as download the GPX file. I recorded a little more distance and elevation gain on my watch than what appears here (23km and 1,200m of positive elevation gain), so the truth is probably somewhere in between 😉

Video summary

On the way up from Sandgrube!

This Alsatian hike starts from the Sandgrube fitness trail parking lot in the hills above Guebwiller. You get into the swing of things as soon as you start walking: it’s uphill! The itinerary takes you up and then down, so don’t worry, you know what to expect 😉 That said, it’s not as difficult as the profile might suggest: you alternate between slightly steep climbs and flat stretches, perfect for catching your breath.

It’s a pleasant climb, through typical Vosges scenery: the Vosges forest in all its beauty! There’s plenty of shade, which is very pleasant in summer. On the whole, the landscapes are really forested, but as you go along you can see the surrounding Vosges peaks through the trees.

After passing the Col du Peternit and the Munsteraeckerle, we reach the Col du Judenhut (973m). Here you’ll find a Vosges club shelter, picnic tables and the Schlumberger fountain. Time to fill up on water before the last part of the climb! I particularly liked this last part, with a more open forest: you can feel that the summit is approaching!

Col du Grand Ballon

The finish at the pass was a little disappointing for me at first sight. This pass is a classic for bikers and car drivers alike. For the cyclists too, but they don’t make any noise, so it’s much less annoying 😛 The arrival at the pass contrasts with the calm we’ve just had all the way up: there are lots of people and lots of noise!

There are several restaurants at the pass, which can be a good option for refreshments, in addition to the picnic tables available. Personally, I opted for a picnic followed by pie and coffee at the Maison de l’abeille et du pain d’épices de la Famille Riche, which doubles as a store and café. Everything is homemade and the store’s products are of the highest quality, so it’s a good time to stock up on honey, royal jelly or gingerbread…

The views from the pass are stunning: the Alsace plain, the surrounding Vosges peaks and even the Alps on a clear day!

Grand Ballon summit

I really recommend climbing to the top of the Grand Ballon (1424m) if you do this hike. I think it would be a real shame to have come this far and not gone on, as it adds 80m of positive ascent alone, with an incredible view to boot… And a much calmer atmosphere! What’s more, it would be a shame not to have climbed to the highest peak in the Vosges Massif, wouldn’t it? 😉

Once you’ve reached the pass, there are two ways up: the one on the right (red rectangle with white stripes) or the one on the left (panoramic path, red ring), which allows you to make a loop.

The huge civil aviation radar, with its remarkable architecture, soon comes into view! Walk to the Diables Bleus monument, erected in tribute to the Alpine troops who conquered the Vosges peaks during the First World War. The view from here is insane! I find it more beautiful than from the pass, as you can see almost 360 degrees without moving much.

Descent via ski slopes and forest

After returning to the pass, the descent takes in the ski slopes of the Grand Ballon resort. We’ve got wide-open spaces, and once again a great view! After passing through the Ferme-Auberge du Ballon, you enter the Vosges forest once again. The route descends for most of the way, with the exception of a short climb to the Col du Peternit (yes, the same as on the outward journey – it’s the only point where the loop passes twice). And we’re back at the Sandgrube parking lot!