Vosges
The Vosges mountains in eastern France are a dream for road cyclists who love quiet roads, green forests, and steady climbs. For many riders in northern Europe, it’s the closest mountain range around. It’s not as high as the Alps, but what it lacks in altitude, it makes up for in charm. Think winding roads, charming villages, and climbs that show up in the Tour de France.
This is where legends like the Ballon d’Alsace, the Grand Ballon, and the (Super) Planche des Belles Filles test riders every summer. Expect smooth roads, light traffic on most roads, and some of the best bakery stops you’ll find anywhere. The scenery shifts from rolling Alsace vineyards in the east to thick pine forests and open ridgelines with sweeping views.
The Vosges are perfect if you want Alpine-style climbing without the intensity of the high mountains. It’s a region where you can combine great riding with hearty French food, peaceful landscapes, and a taste of Alsace wine country.
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Best time to ride
The Vosges have a mountain climate. Winters are cold with snow on the higher passes, so cycling is only comfortable from spring to autumn.
April to June bring mild temperatures and blooming landscapes. July and August are warm, sometimes hot, but never as extreme as southern France. September and October are often the best balance: quiet roads, cooler air, and golden autumn forests.
Where to stay
Base Towns
Gerardmer
Gérardmer is the largest town in the central Vosges, set beside a beautiful lake. It has plenty of restaurants, cafés, and bike-friendly hotels, making it one of the most practical bases. The location is ideal: from here you can reach almost all the classic climbs within a day’s ride. The lakefront adds a relaxed feel, so you can combine tough mountain days with an easy recovery stroll by the water.
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Accommodations (11)
Places in Vosges that welcome you and your bike.
Auberge La Haute Fourche
La Haute Fourche is another cyclist-run hotel in the Vosges, built by riders for riders. They offer simple, budget-friendly rooms and have three holiday houses that can host larger groups, up to 35 people. There's a breakfast buffet to start your day right and a shared dinner in the evening to wrap it up.
Camping Deux Hohnack
Camping Deux Hohnack offers both ready-to-stay accommodations and the option to bring your own gear. It’s a spot that draws all kinds of outdoor-loving folks who enjoy staying active outside.
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How to get there
- By car: Easiest way to get there. Coming from Strasbourg, hop on the A35 heading south. From the Basel-Mulhouse side, take the A35 north. If you're driving in from Paris or Belgium, follow the A5 or A31 toward Nancy or Épinal.
- By plane: Your best bets are Strasbourg Airport (SXB) or EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP). From either one, rent a car or jump on public transport heading toward the Vosges.
- By public transport: From Paris Gare de l’Est, catch a TGV or TER to Épinal, Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, or Remiremont. Then switch to a local bus to reach your final stop.
Bike Rentals (2)
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Shops (2)
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Cafes & bars (11)
Au Pied d'la Planche
Before tackling the climb to Planche des Belles Filles, this bar-restaurant is a smart place to pause. Grab a seat on the terrace, enjoy a drink, and fuel up with something to eat before the effort ahead.
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Popular Climbs (18)
Ballon d'Alsace
8.98km | 594m | 6.6%
Climbing the Ballon d'Alsace from Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle gives you a steady but tough climb, averaging 7%. The first hairpins are fully exposed, but after about a kilometer the trees start to offer some shelter. Around the 3 km mark, you hit a beautiful stretch of hairpins that guide you up to a large building used for French school trips. From there, the road runs more or less straight to the summit. At the top, you’ll find several options for refreshments, and just behind the tourism office there’s a toilet and a spot to refill your bottles.
Ballon de Servance
10.73km | 586m | 5.5%
The Ballon de Servance is often paired with the Super Planche des Belles Filles. It begins gently until the first hairpins, then settles into a steady 6–8% with the steepest ramps hitting 11.5%. The tarmac is in decent shape, and the forest cover gives plenty of shade, though you won’t get many views along the way. On the descent toward Thillot, watch out, as the road can get quite bumpy.
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Cycling Routes (12)
Col de Arrèntes - Coffee ride
46.8km | 710m | Easy
Starting from Gérardmer, this route heads north while skipping the big climbs in the area. It’s a perfect pick for a coffee ride. Stop in Corcieux if you’re feeling it, or wait until you’re back in Gérardmer.
Lac Blanc
97.4km | 2200m | Hard
Out of La Bresse, the ride starts with the climb to Col du Rothenbach, then rolls on toward Col de Breitfirst. From there, you’ll drop down the Col du Platzerwasel into Munster. The next climb up Hohrodberg takes you past Le Linge and several First World War cemeteries, adding some history to the ride. A smooth descent follows before the final push to Lac Blanc and the top of Col du Calvaire. From there, it’s a long descent all the way back to La Bresse.
Le Thilot climbing loop
71.3km | 1980m | Hard
Leaving from Thillot, this route is never flat, always up or down. Start easy with Col des Croix to get the legs going, then dig in on the steeper Col des Chevrères. After descending into Plancher-les-Mines, you're straight into the iconic (Super) Planche des Belles Filles. Cap it off with Ballon de Servance before dropping back down. The descent to Col des Croix can be rough in places, so keep your focus. From there, it's an easy roll back into town. If you don't feel like it you can skipp the Planche des Belles Fille and ride it another day.
Loop du France
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Loop du France
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Map of Vosges - 46 pins
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Reviews
Write a review Write a reviewExperiences from riders who have been here
Mathijs
The Vosges always delivers, I have been here several times and had some of the best experiences on the bike. Most of the times the road are quite, but it can be busy at times (especially on sunny weekends).
My favorite side of the Grand Ballon is via Geishouse, it's maybe the hardest ascent but there is no car traffic which makes it a special experience.
When you are in the area make sure to get some Kugelhupf at a bakery, they also make for a perfect snack on the bike.
