Within 600 kilometres of Utrecht lie the Vosges as part of the well-known region of Alsace. It is a walhalla here for cyclists. This is becoming increasingly evident with the growing number of events. Also the huge attention by the stages of the Tour de France helping with that. We too have had the pleasure of enjoying this region multiple times and are happy to share our experiences with you. Hence this triptych in which we discuss what we believe to be the three main ‘balloons’ of the region. Cycling in Alsace: Col du Petit Ballon takes you to another classic.
In the first blog is the Ballon d'Alsace covered extensively. Here's the second, Col du Petit Ballon. When we talk about the big three, it might sound a bit misleading, but nothing could be further from the truth. In our opinion, Petit Ballon belongs to the great balloons of the Vosges.
Small or not?
The top of the Petit Ballon lies at 1272m and is therefore one of the highest peaks in the region. The name is therefore relative to its bigger brother the “Grand Ballon”This big brother lies a few kilometres south of the ‘little mountain’. Cycling in Alsace and the Vosges offers many possibilities.
So don't be fooled by the name, because the facts speak for themselves. Unfortunately, you can't reach the very top by bike. The road ends at a height of 1163 metres. Should you fancy a nice walk to the actual summit, this is one for a rest day! The peak is excellent for a beautiful hike. In good weather, you can see its bigger brother lying in the distance. This way, you can make it to the highest peak.
Up from Luttenbach
A big difference when cycling in Alsace with the high mountains? In the Vosges, almost all roads are ‘through’ roads. This certainly doesn't mean they're busy roads, but they are roads that can take you further than the summit. In fact, many mountains have more than two roads leading to the top, meaning you'll never be bored. This allows you to draw endless routes from A to B with beautiful and challenging climbs along the way, such as the Petit Ballon.
We are the Petit Ballon from Luttenbach near Munster Drove up. This is also the starting point for many walks towards the summit. With a total length of 9.7 kilometres, it’s quite a challenge. And you’ll most likely have to get out of the car from time to time, as there are quite a few sections with gradients above 10%. The average gradient is around 8% per cent, but this is mainly due to a slightly flatter section after 4.5 kilometres of climbing. Here, incidentally, there’s a cosy hut where you can grab a bite to eat and a drink if you fancy it.
Poor road surface
Whereas the road surface in the Vosges is generally very good, it was less so here. The climb from Luttenbach is not very nice. No problem for the climb, but on the descent you have to be careful. Some holes here and there, lots of twigs, leaves and loose gravel on the road. That is why it is not surprising that this col is not included in the big tours. That does not make it any less beautiful!
After exiting the village, the road immediately climbs fast. The first kilometres turn through a dense forest with occasional views. It mostly feels like hard work here. The dense forestation, steep sections of road and inferior road surface make it serious pedalling without too many distractions. Throughout the climb, we didn't encounter anyone, which makes you wonderfully in your own world enjoying the bike and the surroundings. Especially in the forest, you have the feeling of being alone in the world.
Suddenly there was light
As so often, after rain comes sunshine. And once again, a nice reward awaits about 4 kilometres below the summit. The trees give way to meadows and the tree trunks give way to beautiful vistas. On a sunny day, you can see for kilometres. It gets really fantastic when you cycle up around sunset. The mountain's location means you look out over the rolling landscape of the Vosges on one side and into a vast valley containing the town of Colmar on the other.
So the final kilometres to the summit are to be enjoyed, but are certainly not to be underestimated. You can see the road running up to the summit making it seem like you are almost there. The 2-kilometre sign gives a lot away. You have to work at it before you can really enjoy your achievement and the view at the top.
Arriving at the summit and after the necessary photos, we set off downhill towards Sondernach. This side is a lot friendlier than the side we came up. Not only up but also down as it is a bit less steep. What makes this route extra fun? You can ride a nice little loop and climb a real col with about 30 kilometres on the counter. Delicious as an after-dinner dessert!
Cycling in Alsace: Col du Petit Ballon
The Col du Petit Ballon is an absolute ‘must do’ in the Vosges. With this col you hit one of the tougher cols in the area. The reward is accordingly. Take a good look at the starting point in advance so you might be able to make a nice round of it. Plenty of cycling routes in any case
Hotels nearby
Below you will find a selection of hotels near the Petit Ballon and in the Vosges region.
