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Excursions around Gérardmer/Xonrupt

Two suggestions of discovery routes by car

Route des Crêtes and Hohneck - Grand Ballon

Round trip of about 140 km.

Only possible from May to October because the 'route des crêtes' is closed during the winter period.

74km long, the 'route des crêtes' runs between the Col de Bonhomme and Cernay. Constructed to supply the troops during the 14/18 war, this strategic road has now become a tourist road.

• Departing from the Lake Valley, we suggest you discover the southern part, the longest and most spectacular. You will find several farm-inns along this route.
• Take the D 417 in the direction of Colmar, you will go under the ' Roche du Diable ' (Devil's Rock) parking and magnificent view of the Lake Valley about 200m before the Col de la Schlucht, turn right in the direction of ' Route des Crêtes,le Hohneck '

On the trip :

• We suggest stops at the 'Jardin d'Altitude du Haut Chitelet' (see opposite information),
• the Hohneck (access to the summit by road or on foot) superb view,
• the 'Markstein' small ski resort and take-off for paragliding,
• the 'Grand Ballon' or 'Ballon de Guebwiller' 1424m high, highest point of the Vosges mountains (memorial to the 'Red Devils' of the 152nd Infantery Regiment).
• Continue towards Cernay where you can visit the Hartmannswillerkopf:Vieil Armand, national cemetery and former 1914-1918 war battlefield (free visit).
• Return via Cernay and Colmar (fast road).
• Once at Colmar, go in the direction of Epinal Munster and the Col de la Schlucht.

Haut-Koenigsbourg - Route des Vins (Wine road) - Haute-Meurthe valley

Round trip of about 150 km.

• Departing from Gérardmer, take the direction to Saint Dié, then the dual carriageway towards Strasbourg,
• then the dual carriageway towards Strasbourg, take the Col de Sainte Marie (or the Sainte Marie tunnel if weather conditions are bad).
• When in Lièpvre, take the D48 on your right.
• Go towards Haut-Koenigsbourg, (you could visit the castle),
• then go down to St Hippolyte, Bergheim and go up the wine road towards the well-known villages of Ribeauvillé, Riquewihr and Kaysersberg where you will take the road towards the Col du Bonhomme.
• If the weather conditions (in winter) are good, in Plainfaing go towards Habeaurupt (visit of the High Vosges sweetmaker's), le Valtin pretty little village in the Haute Meurthe valley and return to Gérardmer via Xonrupt. If road conditions are bad ,risk of black ice or snow, the return via Anould is a better option