At no more than 600 kilometers from Utrecht are the Vogezen as part of the well-known region the Elzas. It is a true paradise for cyclists here. This is becoming increasingly clear due to the growing number of events. The enormous attention given by the stages of the Tour de France We are happy to help with that. We have also been able to enjoy this area several times and would be happy to share our experiences with you. That is why we have created this trilogy in which we discuss the three major ‘bubbles’ of the region. Cycling in Alsace: Col du Petit Ballon takes you back to another classic.

In the The first blog is the Ballon d’Alsace discussed extensively. Here are number two, Col du Petit Ballon. When we talk about the big three, this may sound a bit misleading, but that is far from the truth. In our opinion, the Petit Ballon is one of the great balloons of the Vosges.

Small or not?

The top of the Petit Ballon It is located at 1272m and is therefore one of the highest peaks in the region. The name is therefore relatively similar to its larger brother the “Grand Ballon”. This big brother is located a few kilometers south of the ‘small mountain’. Cycling in Alsace and the Vosges offers many possibilities.

So don't be surprised by the name because the facts don't lie. Unfortunately, you can't reach the absolute top by bike. The road ends at an altitude of 1163 meters. If you feel like taking a nice walk to the actual summit, this is the perfect day for a relaxing day off! The summit lends itself wonderfully for a nice hike. With good weather, you can see the big brother in the distance. So you can definitely reach the highest peak.

Up from Luttenbach

What a big difference when you cycle in Alsace compared to the high mountains? In the Vosges, almost all roads are ‘main roads’. That means they are definitely not busy roads, but they are always roads that can take you further than the top. In fact, many mountains have more than two roads up to the top, so you’ll never get bored. This allows you to create endless routes from A to B, with beautiful and challenging ascents along the way, such as the Petit Ballon.

We are the Petit Ballon from Luttenbach near Munster It is also the starting point for many hikes towards the top. With a total length of 9.7 kilometers, you might want to sit down for a while. And very likely you will have to stop occasionally with quite a few patches above 10%. The average is around 8 percent, but that is mainly due to a slightly flatter stretch after climbing up for 4.5 kilometers. There is, by the way, a cozy hut for a snack and a drink for those who want to. 

Poor road conditions

While the road surface in the Vogeens is generally very good, here it was less so. The climb from Luttenbach isn’t very nice. There’s no problem with climbing, but when descending you have to be very careful. Here and there are some gaps, lots of twigs, leaves and loose gravel on the road. That’s why it’s no wonder that this col isn’t included in the big tours. That doesn’t make it any less beautiful!

After we leave the village, the road immediately starts to climb steeply. The first kilometers are through dense forest, with occasional glimpses of the outside world. It feels like hard work here. Due to the dense vegetation, the steep sections of the road and the poor road surface, it’s seriously uphill without too much distraction. During the entire climb, we didn’t encounter anyone, which makes it possible to enjoy the bike and the surroundings in your own world. Especially in the forest, you have the feeling that you’re alone in the world.

Suddenly there was light

As so often, sunshine comes after the rain. And now, at about 4 kilometers below the summit, a beautiful reward awaits. The trees give way to meadows, and the tree trunks give way to beautiful views. On a sunny day, you can see for miles. It becomes truly fantastic when you cycle up at sunset. Due to the location of the mountain, you can look out to the rolling landscape of the Vosges on one side and into a vast valley with the city of Colmar in the other.

The final kilometers to the top are definitely worth it, but they are definitely not to be underestimated. You can see the road leading up to the top, making it seem as if you are almost there. The sign at 2 kilometers indicates a lot. You have to work a little before you can truly enjoy your performance and the view above.

Arrived at the top and after taking a few photos, we started the descent towards Sondernach. This side is much friendlier than the one we came up from. Not only up but also down, because it’s not quite as steep. What makes this route extra fun? You can take a nice little ride and climb a real col with about 30 kilometers on the odometer. Delicious as a dessert after dinner!

Cycling in Alsace: Col du Petit Ballon

Of Col du Petit Ballon is an absolute ‘must do’ in the Vogezen. With this climb you’ll reach one of the more difficult climbs in the area. The reward is worth it too. Check the starting point in advance so you can maybe make a nice round there. There are plenty of cycling routes anyway.

Hotels nearby

Below you will find a selection of hotels near the Petit Ballon and in the Vosges region.