Vosges: North (Route des Crêtes)

Last updated: 13 July 2016, 9:36

The track descends to the Moselle valley. Via the asphalt cycle path on the old railway in this valley (Voie Verte), the track goes to Ramonchamp. The area north of Ramonchamp is dotted with very quiet narrow roads and passes and passes. In this area, you can chain climbs, but they are not the highest peaks. The first of these passes is the Col de Morbieux. The descent takes you to Saulxures-sur-Moselotte. Then you immediately go up to the top of the Col des Hayes, again on a very quiet road. Then the track heads towards La Bresse. The track now heads towards the highest Vosges peaks above 1100 meters above sea level. First of all, the Rothenbachkopf is climbed. And then the Route des Crêtes is followed for more than 10 kilometers: a road on the ridge at an altitude of about 1200 meters. This ridge is full of wind, which gives trees less chance of growing. The result is a very scenic route! Then they descend to Lake Kruth-Wildenstein. Then comes the easy but very aesthetic ascent of the Col de Bramont, with 12 hairpin bends. Unfortunately, the ascent remains almost entirely in the woods. After the summit, the trail climbs further, with a short descent to finally reach La Chaume de Grand Ventron, a popular spot for weekend getaways with locals. To the west, you have beautiful views from the Grand Ventron massif. In the first kilometer of the descent, there are five transverse iron gutters in the road surface (so be careful to avoid a bump leak). After the first kilometer, it's wonderful to go down. After the descent, it passes through the Col du Page to Bussang. In the Moselle valley, the greenway is again followed to avoid the busy N66. But also the Route de la Haitroye can be taken or the Rue des Champs Colnots as an alternative to the N66. These secondary roads on both sides of the Moselle valley go up and down a little unlike the Voie Verte. Finally, it comes back to the night address.