Ballon d'Alsace

Ballon d’Alsace is a 1,247 metre peak on the southern fringe of the Vosges mountains in northeastern France, lying at the historic junction of Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté. It is a well-known regional high point and outdoor recreation area.

Marked trails lead to the summit providing panoramic viewpoints across the Rhine valley, the Black Forest and the Jura on clear days; the area also supports downhill and cross-country skiing in winter. A paved mountain pass and parking make the site accessible to walkers and cyclists, and the route is often included in major cycling events.

The Ballon has long been a local landmark and a route across the Vosges; recreational infrastructure developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as mountain sports became popular. The site has cultural significance in regional tourism and outdoor recreation.

The peak sits in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, near the borders of the present-day departments of Haut-Rhin, Vosges and Territoire de Belfort, and is reachable from nearby towns and regional roads.

• Elevation: The summit elevation is 1,247 metres above sea level and it sits on the southern edge of the Vosges mountain range.
• Recreation: Popular with hikers, cyclists and winter-sports visitors, the area has marked trails and seasonal ski slopes and facilities.

What to See #

• Summit: Summit area - The peak reaches an altitude of 1,247 metres and offers panoramic views over the southern Vosges, the Rhine plain and on clear days the Jura and Black Forest.
• Col du Ballon d'Alsace: Col du Ballon d'Alsace - A roadside mountain pass and trailhead used by cyclists and hikers, with established paths leading to the top and surrounding ridges.