The Best Road Cycling Routes in Vosges

Les Trois Ballons Granfondo has been a favorite on the calendar for years, and while it’s known for the big cyclo event, you can take on the route any day you want. It’s 178 kilometers with a hefty 4,060 meters of climbing. You roll out from Filatures de Ronchamp, and the ride wraps up with a brutal finish atop the legendary La Planche des Belles Filles. Along the way, you’ll tackle the Ballon de Servance, the Col d’Oderen, Le Markstein, the Grand Ballon, the Ballon d’Alsace, and of course La Planche des Belles Filles.

The route starts out easy, rolling gently toward Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle. That’s where the climb to the Ballon d’Alsace kicks off. The descent is beautiful, so keep an eye out for traffic on the way down. At the bottom, you’ll find yourself right at the base of the Col du Hundsruck. Another stunning descent drops you into the valley before you head up the Grand Ballon via Geishouse. Make sure you’ve saved something in the legs. It's nearly 940 meters of climbing to the top. From the summit, you’ve got a long, flowing smooth past Le Markstein and all the way down to Lac de Kruth. The final challenge is the Col de Bramont, then it’s a smooth ride down into La Bresse to finish the day.

A tough string of climbs that takes you deep into the heart of the Vosges. This route is packed with inspiration, perfect for mapping out your own big day in the mountains or planning a full-on bikepacking adventure. It crosses many of the region’s greatest climbs: La Planche des Belles Filles, Ballon de Servance, Ballon d’Alsace, Col du Hundsruck, the Grand Ballon via Geishouse, Le Petit Ballon, Hohrodberg, Le Linge, Col du Calvaire, Col de Fouchy, and a proper summit finish on Champ du Feu.

A spectacular point-to-point ride, this one follows the Route des Crêtes from Cernay to Col des Bagenelles. Right out of Cernay, you’ll take on the climb to Grand Ballon, which is the toughest part of the day. After that, it’s smooth riding along the ridgeline for about 50 kilometers. You'll pass Le Markstein, Col de la Schlucht, Col du Calvaire, and Col du Bonhomme before reaching the finish. Depending on where you are staying you can use the eastern valley to head back home. It’s best to ride this one midweek, as weekends and holidays can get busy on these roads. Route des Crêtes was built during the First World War by the French military to run along the ridge of the mountains. It gave troops faster access to the valleys on both sides, improving movement and supply routes.

This route takes you past several powerful World War I sites that are well worth a short stop. After climbing Col du Wettstein, you’ll roll by a number of memorials, including the Le Linge Battlefield Memorial. Not long after, you’ll pass a German military cemetery that adds a quiet, reflective moment to the ride. Along the way, you’ll take on some solid climbs: Col du Firstplan, Petit Ballon, and Col du Wettstein.