Climb to the Grand Ballon (start)

Grand Ballon - Actual start of the eastern climb
(Quiet roads through the forest, little traffic)

The ascent along the eastern side of the Grand Ballon, which starts just outside Soultz-Haut-Rhin, is the steepest of the four possible climbs. The summit is at 1343 meters and from here 1072 meters altitude must be overcome.

The climb is 19 kilometers long to the top of the Grand Ballon. It runs along the flanks of the 'Col Amic'. About 7 km from the top of the Grand Ballon, it connects to the eastern main road to the Grand Ballon.

The first kilometers through the forest are not steep. The very first kilometer the climb percentage is 8%, but afterwards it is rather moderate with about 5%.
Along the way you will also pass a campsite. From here, the average goes up again. This is now about 6%, up to the top of the Col Amic (825m).

Here you connect to the (south) eastern climb.

From here the climb takes another 7 km. These 7 km are the toughest of the entire route.
The rate of increase is between 8% and 10% on average.
You also have to take the wind into account here. You are now on the flanks of the highest mountain in the Vosges, and you are usually no longer sheltered by the trees. So don't forget to bring a windbreak.

A few bends before the end of the climb you can already see the sphere of observation station.
From here it goes less steeply uphill, and the end of the climb now announces itself!

(VCD)

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