Cycling Circuit No. 12 - Gérardmer

This route corresponds to the cycling event "Les Ballons Vosgiens," organized every two years alternating with "La Vosgienne." It is a long and demanding loop, reserved for experienced cyclists, with many passes and iconic views of the Vosges.
Starting from Gérardmer, head towards Xonrupt-Longemer, then climb the Schlucht pass (1139 m). Just before the pass, turn right onto the Crêtes road and follow it for 19 km. Leave it on your left towards Munster via the D27.
After descending the Platzerwaezel pass, turn right just before entering the village of Sondernach towards the Petit Ballon (1163 m). Climb to the summit, then descend into the valley passing through Wasserbourg. Before entering Soultzbach-les-Bains, turn right towards the Firstplan pass.
After the pass, descend through Osenbach and Wintzfelden, then just before Soultzmatt, turn right on the D40 towards the Bannstein pass. Continue through Saint-Gangolphe, Lautenbach, then Linthal. The road will lead you to a steep climb up to the Markstein (1180 m); admire the view.
From there, take the D27 to descend to the Kruth-Wildenstein dam, then turn right onto the D13bis towards La Bresse via the Bramont pass. After descending into the valley, turn right onto the D34D towards the La Bresse-Hohneck ski area, which you will pass to reach the Feignes pass (955 m).
Turn left into the Chajoux valley, descend for 5 km, then take the small road on the right that leads to the Grosse Pierre pass. At the bottom of the pass, turn immediately right after the bridge and follow the direction of the La Mauselaine ski area. From La Mauselaine, descend to Lake Gérardmer to complete the route.

Good plan: to shorten the route, go directly to the Markstein via the Crêtes road, without descending the Platzerwaezel pass. This variant corresponds to the short course of the cycling event, 90 km for 1500 m of elevation gain, more accessible for regular cyclists.