Col du Grand Ballon 2.64

The Col du Grand Ballon is a mountain pass situated close to the summit of the Grand Ballon in the Vosges Mountains of France. It connects Cernay with Le Markstein winter sports station.Details of the climbsThere are several different directions from which the Col du Grand Ballon can be climbed:From Cernay (south-east), the total distance is 23.3km at an average gradient of 4.5%, gaining 1046m in height. This route follows the Route des Crêtes over the Col de Herrenfluh (835m) after 9.5km. After a short descent, the road climbs again to the Col de Silberloch (906m) before descending to the Col Amic (828m). From here, there remain 6.8km at an average of 7.6%. In the forest on this final section, there are two short paved stretches. 3km from the summit, the gradient increases to over 8%.From Willer-sur-Thur (south), the ascent (via D138) is 16.0km long, climbing 974m at an average of 6.1%. This route joins that from Cernay at the Col Amic.From the south it is also possible to climb on minor roads from Saint-Amarin or Moosch, both on the N66; these routes join together at Geishouse. Both routes are approximately 12.5km long at an average of over 7%, with a kilometre section near the summit at 12%.