told by Elise, our local expert
As a long-distance hiking enthusiast, last summer I set myself the challenge of hiking from Lac Blanc to the summit of Grand Ballon in a single day, covering 41km.
It’s a very straightforward route, tracing a direct line along the ridge of the Vosges massif, passing through some of the most well-known summits and passes: La Schlucht, Hohneck, Markstein, Hahnenbrunnen, and more.
41km in one go — sounds a bit crazy, right? It’s true that such a distance is no small feat and requires some training. You’re probably thinking it’s not for you. But what if I told you that a shuttle runs parallel to this route every day during the summer? And that every 10km, you can decide whether to continue or stop? Suddenly, this challenge seems more accessible, doesn’t it? This summer, I invite you to take on this same challenge.
My adventure along the ridge
I set out early in the morning on a sunny August day. It was around 5:30 a.m. when I began. My first steps were in the dark. As I climbed towards the summit, and after encountering a few chamois and ticking off a few kilometres, I was greeted by a stunning golden light from the Alsace plain. My first reward: witnessing a magnificent summer sunrise from the ridge.
As the first rays began to warm up the air, I continued at my own pace, admiring the high-altitude landscapes, passing Vosgienne cattle and farm inns along the way. By the time I reached Hohneck, after already covering 15km, I enjoyed a backpack breakfast, just as I later had my lunch, along with a few snacks for energy. Breaks were kept short, as 41km demands several hours of walking. And of course, I needed to reach my goal before the last shuttle if I wanted to be back in my own bed that night.
Finally, around 4 p.m., I reached the summit of Grand Ballon, where the panorama made all the effort worthwhile!
After a well-deserved refreshing drink on a terrace, I hopped on the Navette des Crêtes shuttle to take me back to my starting point. On the way back, I watched the landscape fly by in reverse, exhausted but proud of the ground I’d covered. I was also amused at how quick the return journey seemed compared to the long hike out.
By sharing this experience, I hope to inspire you to try this challenge on a beautiful summer day. The goal is to push your limits by covering a long distance in one go, but it’s really all about enjoying the fresh mountain air of the Vosges summits and soaking in the breathtaking views, without worrying about the effort of returning.
Don’t forget to check the Navette des Crêtes shuttle schedule (currently unavailable)
