Navette des Crêtes – I tested the Crest road without a car!

How the Navette des Crêtes works

Dates 2024

The Navette des Crêtes runs from June 1 to September 29, 2024:

• daily in July and August
• Saturdays and Sundays only in June and September

Shuttle routes and times

There are a total of 9 lines on the Navette des Crêtes:

• 8 bus routes departing from Colmar, Munster, Mulhouse, Thann, Remiremont, Epinal and Saint-Dié stations to take you up to the peaks.
• 1 bus line running between Col du Calvaire (Lac Blanc) and Grand Ballon (Soultz Haut-Rhin)

The shuttles all leave from the stations, which is perfect for combining train and shuttle and making the whole journey by public transport. The Navette des Crêtes timetable allows you to go in the morning (earlier or later) and come back in the middle or late afternoon. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re going for a long hike or a shorter one. The Crest road line is very regular throughout the day, so you can discover several different places on the same day if you like. Really nice!

Ticket prices and purchase

You can book your ticket online or buy it directly on board the coach. The ticket is valid for 4 hours, including connections. The rates are as follows:

• Single ticket: €4
• Reduced-rate single ticket: €2 on presentation of Fluo card
• Free if you take the train on the same day. Simply present your train ticket with the day’s date.
• Group/family day pass (2-5 people): €10
• Free for children under 4

Bikes and dogs

Bicycles are allowed within the limits of available space (about 8 places per coach). Please note: electric bikes are not accepted. Reservations must be made with LK Kunegel by 4pm the day before your trip:

• On routes 68R013, 33, 43, 44 and 68 (Crêtes shuttle): call 03 89 24 65 59
• On routes 1C, 3, 17 and 29: call 03 29 38 63 70

Dogs are allowed on board provided they are muzzled, subject to the number of passengers and the driver’s approval. Small animals must be able to be taken on their owner’s lap. Guide dogs can travel without conditions.

A day on foot or by bike in the Massif des Vosges

Leaving Strasbourg, I was keen to go for a bike ride around Lac Blanc. Accompanied by my bike, I took the TER from Strasbourg to Colmar, then the Crêtes shuttle from Colmar station to Lac Blanc. A total journey time of 1h30 (30min TER, 1h coach), more or less the same as by car, but much more comfortable! I found the system for attaching bikes to the back of the bus to be well-designed, and my bike was secure and stable.

I had spotted a cycling circuit called the Circuit des 6 Cols. So I set off from Lac Blanc, where the Navette dropped me off, and off I went for a lovely drive along the roads of the Vosges mountains! This 40km tour with 1,000m elevation gain takes in the Cols de Bermont, des Bagenelles, du pré de raves, du Bonhomme, de Louchpach and du Calvaire. A magnificent tour that allows you to cycle part of the Crest road, and enjoy the beauty of the panoramic views. It’s a sight to behold! I was a little afraid of the traffic, but on this stretch and going there in the morning, it wasn’t a problem at all. It has to be said that I don’t think this is the busiest part.

After the effort, the comfort… The program included a picnic on the banks of Lac Blanc, followed by the inevitable blueberry tart (brimbelles for our Vosges friends) eaten in a small restaurant. For a lighter version, don’t hesitate to go and have a meal in a farm inn, it’s a typical experience too 😉 All that was left to do then was stroll around before catching the Navette back to Colmar and then taking the train back to Strasbourg after this wonderful day out in the Vosges Massif!