Col du Grand Ballon


The Col du Grand Ballon is a mountain pass situated close to the summit of the Grand Ballon in the Vosges Mountains of France. It connects Cernay with Le Markstein winter sports station.

Details of the climbs

There are several different directions from which the Col du Grand Ballon can be climbed:
From Cernay, the total distance is at an average gradient of 4.5%, gaining in height. This route follows the Route des Crêtes over the Col de Herrenfluh after. After a short descent, the road climbs again to the Col de Silberloch before descending to the Col Amic. From here, there remain at an average of 7.6%. In the forest on this final section, there are two short paved stretches. from the summit, the gradient increases to over 8%.
From Willer-sur-Thur, the ascent is long, climbing at an average of 6.1%. This route joins that from Cernay at the Col Amic.
From the south it is also possible to climb on minor roads from Saint-Amarin or Moosch, both on the N66; these routes join together at Geishouse. Both routes are approximately long at an average of over 7%, with a kilometre section near the summit at 12%.
From Soultz, the route follows a minor road for the first at a steady average gradient of 4.6%, before joining the other routes at Col Amic. In total, the climb is long, climbing at an average of 5.6%.
From Kruth, the climb is long gaining 853 m in height at an average of 3.7%. This climb joins the D431 at Le Markstein.

Tour de France

The Tour de France first crossed over the Col du Grand Ballon in 1969, when the leader over the summit was Lucien Van Impe. It has been crossed on a further six occasions, the most recent in 2014.
YearStageCategoryStartFinishLeader at the summit
201493GérardmerMulhouse
20052GérardmerMulhouse
1997182ColmarMontbéliard
1992111StrasbourgMulhouse
197673NancyMulhouse
197353NancyMulhouse
196963MulhouseBallon d'Alsace

Amateur cycling

The Col du Grand Ballon is also used by amateur cyclists on the "Trois Ballons" sportive ride held in June.