Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein

Hiking trails & Routes

Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein

Hard

4.9

(51)

393

hikers

Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein

05:02

16.3km

460m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 7, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 11.7 km for 60 m

Closed: • November-April (otherwise open)

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

6.92 km

View of the Grand Ballon

Highlight • Other

Here you can see everything, no wonder it's the highest point of the Vosges (1442m).

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7.08 km

Haag Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

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 …

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7.10 km

Beautiful trail to the Grand Ballon

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The path that leads to the Grand Ballon is absolutely essential. First for its destination, but above all for the variety of landscapes you cross: dense forests, ridge paths, balconies. Pure hiking as we like it!

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8.34 km

Blue Devils Monument

Highlight • Monument

beautiful landscape

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8.46 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.

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8.58 km

Way to the observatory

Highlight • Other

very beautiful 360° view

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8.84 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.

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9.43 km

Haag – Grand Ballon area

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pleasant part of the loop around the crest of the Grand Ballon. Plus beautiful views.

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16.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.24 km

3.59 km

2.27 km

1.00 km

179 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

13.2 km

1.70 km

818 m

459 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (1,410 m)

Lowest point (1,160 m)

Weather

Sunday 11 October

12°C

2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 4.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 7, 2024,Vogesen-Wanderung Le Markstein - Grand Ballon

Great mountain hike to the highest mountain in the Vosges.👍⛰️🌞

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August 23, 2025,Le Grand Ballon, Wanderung.

Today we're heading to the highest peak in the Vosges Mountains. We're climbing the "Grand Ballon." With an elevation gain of about 500 meters, this tour is moderate.

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April 28, 2025,GR 5: Van Ranspach naar Grand ballon

From the Refuge it is a leisurely walk for a long time. Just before Col de Haag it goes uphill to finally arrive at the top of the Grand Ballon.
From the top a little downhill to the col where a restaurant/café is open. On a field behind the restaurant I see 2 campers. I ask in the restaurant if …

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