The Vosges…. once, together with the Black Forest, a huge mountain range. Until Italy found it necessary to collide with Europe some thirty million years ago. This created the Alps and the huge plate on which the old mountains lay broke and largely collapsed. In the enormous groove that was created then, the Rhine now separates the Western Vosges from the Black Forest in the East.

The ridge that remained formed the border between France and Germany from 1871 to 1918. 1918, you read that right. The end of the First World War. Afterwards, boundaries were literally shifted, but you can already imagine that the terrain of the Vosges during WW I was a particularly turbulent area…

With this North-Eastern XXL Vosges route you will dive into a side of the Vosges that (fortunately) is not yet flattened every day. In other words, here you can probably enjoy extensive roads through forests and forests without traffic jams, which have been given lyrical and promising names such as 'Dansant de la Fète'. If that's not an invitation to eagerly await, then I don't know what is….
The corners are dizzying at times and even a little presumptuous. Fortunately, they are equally varied by nice stretches of asphalt where you can let the arm muscles rest for a while, but not too long….
The departure is easy going and with a “laise faire” mentality you whirl towards La Bresse where it is best to fill the tank. You will not encounter many gas stations on this road. I think a notified motorcyclist is worth two…

You will be given a look at the Gérardmer twice before heading towards the smaller brother 'Lac de Langemer'. By way of warming up, you can already practice some load changes here. But don't worry, it's all still pretty good. This even up to the first crossing with the Col du Bonhomme. From there, you will notice a few small road demons here and there on these otherwise mainly 'green' Michelin roads.

The first official stop has been made at the Tellure silver mine. You are not yet halfway through the route, but you have already been on the road for almost 4 hours…. Maybe you didn't notice, but those little hidden devils are a bit sneaky… It all seems very simple, but still…. Don't underestimate those devils...
And if things are a bit disappointing, Saint-Marie-aux-Mines may offer you a worthy alternative. You can choose on the spot for a passage through the village where you can either take the almost 7 km long Maurice-Lemaire tunnel to the west, or the juicy D416 to the east, which cuts off 86 kilometers from the route.

However, we do not recommend either alternative. We recommend that you follow the route further, because the continuation route offers you a wonderful view of the 'Dansant de la Fête' forest and the wonderful region around it. It will be an absolute pleasure from the Col d'Urbeis where the curve buffet is served. Hot or cold, burgundy or rather simple, all kinds of curves pass your plate at this feast that lasts no less than (yes, you read that right…) 167 kilometers long. And it is only in the last kilometers that you are only allowed a breather. For that reason alone, this is not a route for soft-strapped wimps. As the end approaches, even several experienced hands give up, whether or not next to the worn rubber from which the vapor will come. The saga of the informed motorcyclist also applies here…
That is why we strongly recommend that you make use of the interleaved break points and certainly add more as needed. Ribeauville is definitely recommended! Ribeauville is not only a place where you will find several places to eat and drink in the famous 'Grand Rue', but also a place where you can see the splendor of the Alsatian half-timbered architecture and actually one of the reasons why we bring you to the Northeastern part of the Vosges have brought…. Particularly beautiful and stylish houses compete here for the highest honour.

From Ribeauville we meander to the Col du Bonhomme where we briefly touch the Route des Crêtes and leave it immediately. We pass the romantic Lac Blanc and we rub our wrists there again to start the journey to the Col de la Schlucht. Here we give the bands some rest while we enjoy a drink on the lovely terraces there.

On the way to Col du Bussang and the last refueling on the route, the cornering seems all over, but a last pinprick is given on the delicious Bramont. An absolutely delicious cornering finish.

The route, even if it runs on untrodden roads, certainly deserves a five-star rating, despite the mere remark that gas stations are rather scarce. Keep in mind.

You should also realize that this is not a soft-spoken route. 361 kilometers of which 167 kilometers of continuous and intensive cornering do not crawl into the cold clothes on the hillsides of the Vosges. Of course this is a playground, but one in which it is best played responsibly. Especially towards the end when fatigue can start playing tricks.

If you do pay attention to this, you will enjoy the delicious meal that is served for you in motor hotel Col du Bussang, tired but satisfied.