RIDGE ROAD

Located in the heart of the Vosges mountains, the famous Route des Crêtes is a magnificent tourist route linking Cernay to Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines. It was created during the First World War by the French High Command, who wanted a supply route for their troops fighting on the Vosges front. Parallel to the Wine Route, the Route des Crêtes runs alongside the highest peaks in the Vosges, passing from north to south over the Col du Bonhomme, the Col de la Schlucht, the Hohneck massif, the Markstein, the Grand Ballon and the Vieil Armand. Its highest point is 1,343 m at the Grand Ballon pass. Winding sometimes along the Alsatian side of the Vosges, sometimes along the Lorraine side, it becomes exclusively Alsatian from the summit of the Rainkopf. Although there are many forests on this route, the Route des Crêtes crosses mostly pastures that culminate at the top of the balloons, giving them their characteristic bald appearance. In summer, these meadows are home to cows of the Vosges breeds, whose tinkling bells provide a pleasant rhythm to the hikes, while when the snow covers the meadows, the cattle give way to winter sports enthusiasts. Adapted to the automobile in the 1920s, it can now be explored on foot, by bike, camper van or car, to take in the breathtaking views. Its panoramic views allow you to admire the most characteristic landscapes of the Vosges mountain range: its balloons, lakes and passes. On a clear day, you can see the Alsace plain and the Black Forest from its peaks, as well as Liechtenstein and Mont Blanc. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing and even hang-gliding over glacial cirques - the area is ideal for outdoor sports. The only downside for those who prefer silence: it's a paradise for bikers in summer and skiers in winter! Shuttles to the summits are available all year round. Nature lovers will be on the lookout for chamois, reintroduced in the 1950s, which now roam the Hohneck, Markstein and Grand Ballon massifs. In spring, when the daffodils bloom in the pastures, amateur botanists can go in search of the magnificent and rare martagon lily. In winter, the Route des Crêtes is closed to skiers to the north between the Col de la Schlucht and the Col du Calvaire, and between the Col du Bonhomme and the Col des Bagenelles, and to the south between the Grand Ballon and the La Bresse-Kastelberg ski slopes.