If there is one route that can be the ideal mix between 'being a tourist' and motorcycling, then this route is definitely recommended.
A three-hour motorcycle trip is interspersed with a very interesting yet haunting visit to the only German concentration camp in French territory, followed by another three-hour (and very fun!) return ride on roads to be explored in the Vosges.

The route starts near Motohotel Col de Bussang and first follows (because of time savings) the nice smooth main roads until past Gerardmer. It is therefore only after the first 50 kilometers that the smoother main roads are deviated from and the more quiet, but still smooth driving and excellent roads are sought.

After the refueling and the passage along La Bresse, the Col de Grosse Pierre and the Col du Haut de la Côte (really nice to drive – very nice curls…) you will see the Lac de Gérardmer appear. Gérardmer is a nice town and there are nice markets on Thursday and Saturday in the summer, but otherwise you can safely pass Gérardmer. You really won't miss a lot – apart from the cozy markets.

In Xonrupt-Longemer we leave the wider roads and dive into the Forêt Domaniale de la Haute-Meurthe, a sub-area of the forests in the Vosges.

After a short 'touch' with the D415 we choose back in Fraize for nice natural twists through the Forêt Communale de Mandray. It would lead us too far to mention again and again the names of the various forests through which this route leads you…. Just remember that almost the entire route runs through the overwhelming nature of the Vosges and with this route you not only visit a historically important artefact, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy the nature in the Vosges. Perhaps it is best to digest the bleak history of the Natzweiler Struthof….

After 125 kilometers you will reach the goal of this journey... the Natzweiler Struthof Concentration Camp....don't underestimate the impact this camp will have on you....

Natzweiler-Struthof was a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. The main camp is located about fifty kilometers outside of Strasbourg near the town of Natzwiller (German: Natzweiler) in Alsace, France. It was the only concentration camp set up by the Germans on present-day French territory.
The camp is located approximately 55 kilometers southwest of Strasbourg, at an altitude of 700 meters. The site was chosen after geologist SS-Obersturmbannführer Karl Blumberg (1889–1948) discovered an occurrence of rare red granite there in September 1940. On behalf of Albert Speer - who wanted to use the granite in the construction of the new capital Germania - Heinrich Himmler and Oswald Pohl, it was decided to set up a camp for 4,000 prisoners. The main camp was in use from 21 May 1941 to 23 November 1944.

A total of 52,000 people (from France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Norway, Germany and the Soviet Union) were detained at Natzweiler-Struthof, about 17,000 of them in the base camp and about 35,000 in the side camps. Most of the inmates arrived in 1944 and the vast majority of inmates were male. There were people of about 30 different nationalities. The first prisoners were mainly so-called 'antisocials' and political prisoners. Soon, Soviets, Poles and people from the annexed territories joined them. In 1943 many Luxembourgers and political prisoners from all over Europe arrived (who had to disappear at 'Nacht und Nebel', so without anyone knowing about it..., not even the family...). From 1944, Jews were also held in the sub-camps of Natzweilier-Struthof.

The prisoners came from prisons, internment camps or other concentration camps from all over Europe. Upon arrival, they were registered and robbed of all their personal belongings. They were then deloused, disinfected and dressed in randomly selected clothing. After arrival, all days looked more or less the same. Every day, at least twice, outside roll call took place, with all prisoners being counted and assigned work. They worked in shifts of 12 hours, a day shift from 6 am to 6 pm or the night shift from 6 pm to 6 am. Work was mainly done in quarries and on aircraft engines.
In the morning the prisoners were allowed to wash at a very small number of sinks and were given a cup of 'coffee', a thin slice of bread and a piece of sausage. In the afternoon they got a cup of soup and in the evening another piece of bread. Once a week the prisoners were given 50 grams of jam.

About 22,000 prisoners died in Natzweiler-Struthof. The mortality rate averaged 40% and could reach 80% in some side camps. Natweilier-Struthof therefore belongs to category three labor camps. Usually no people were gassed or shot, except when trying to escape. Yet there was a gas chamber in the camp, where people were murdered. There was also a crematorium where the bodies were burned. But especially the heavy physical labour, the food shortages and the poor sanitation led to many victims.

The Nazi anatomist August Hirt also worked in the camp and probably led horrific experiments. He also collected skeletons of Jews there to demonstrate their alleged inferiority.

In September 1944 the camp was evacuated by the SS because of the approaching Allies. On November 23, 1944, Natzweiler-Struthof was officially liberated by the Americans.
In addition to the much more gruesome Groß-Rosen, this camp was designated a Nacht und Nebel camp, where people had to disappear without a trace. The family should never be notified of the death.

After the visit to the concentration camp (still shivering...) we hope that you can experience the nice things in life again on the drive back to Col de Bussang.
It's best to put your focus back on the road now, because the 140 km long winding road (delicious!) will more than demand your attention....

The way back from the north of the Vosges to the south is not on the well-trodden Route des Crêtes, but slightly more to the east... Pleasant, green and above all very winding Michelin roads lead you back to the hotel. The route heights vary from 300 to 1200 meters, so that says a lot about the course to be covered and the technical class to which it belongs.

Via the Col de la Charbonnèire and Col de Fouchy you descend to Lièpvre. You then take a short break in the bends on the D416, after which the curves course resumes in full glory. Several cols (Col du Haut de Ribeauvillé, Col de Fréland, Col du Wettstein, Col du Platzerwasel, Le Breitfirst) lead you to the famous 'Le Markstein', after which you start the last descent to the Kruth-Wildenstein Lake. From there, the route then leads directly – not to mention a gas station – back to the Hotel in Col de Bussang.

Both the route and the historical visit are absolute highlights in the Vosges range. Best to do for all types of riders, considering that the necessary breaks are taken. The road surface is excellent and the fun accordingly.

Enjoy!