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 curve route in the 'small' version, you not only cross the most important part of the famous Vosges, you also pass the most important highlights while the route actually remains quite 'small', both in kilometers and in time. But this is precisely why you get all the extra opportunities you need to take those turns again (Bramont…) or to socialize for an extra long time at the many pleasant stops where there is also a lot to see!

This Small version of the curve route again departs from Motorhotel Col de Bussang. Immediately after the start, a few nice squeezes quickly warm the tires towards the Grand Ballon, the highest mountain in the Vosges and the first stop, if you don't count the gas station 9 kilometers after the start.

The Grand Ballon is the highest mountain (1424 m) in the Vosges, a medium-high mountain range in northeastern France. The mountain is located in the southern part of the ridge. The radar station at the top is iconic.
The Grand Ballon is located in the Ballons des Vosges Natural Park. The top of the mountain is just above the tree line, from there there is a wide view of the area. Much further south you can see the Alps, including Mont Blanc, which is 230 km away.
The Grand Ballon is one of the peaks over which the famous Route des Crêtes leads. This road connects all the heights of the Vosges massif.

So we will drive north from the 'Ballon' on the Route des Crêtes, or literally translated as the 'ridge route'. The route connects Cernay with Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines in the north and spans 73 kilometers of pure beauty. Characteristic landscapes from the Vosges alternate with unique vistas that reach into the Alps and take your breath away at times.
The road was built in 1914 by the French army on the western side of this ridge in the Vosges. This ridge still forms the border between the regions of Alsace and Lorraine, but in the period 1871-1918 the ridge was also the border between France and Germany. After the first world war, the borders were shifted and today the Rhine forms the new border between the two countries. The road built over this ridge served to supply French troops during the First World War and you can imagine that it was the scene of many bloody battlefields in this war.

After the 'Balloon', which should not be missed when visiting the Vosges, you drive slowly via the Route des Crêtes in the direction of the Valhalla der Vosges bends where you can finally drive off those old knee pads… If desired you can socialize beforehand on the terrace of the hotel 'Sommet de Hohneck', a very nice view point also in the direction of the imposing Rhine and – in good weather – even the Black Forest. And the ride there is also quite nice.

Pretty soon after the Hohneck, near the Col de la Schlucht, we leave the Route des Crêtes again to pull out all the stops (and the throttle) on the most beautiful kilometers of this route. The knee pads mentioned above are professionally sharpened here. But not only your knee pads will receive an appropriate treatment here, your 'chicken strips' or 'pubic strips' can also take you to the next 'appreciation level'.
Of course within your own possibilities and safety framework, but it is certain that this 60 kilometers long winding mecca will leave an indelible impression on you. Motorcycling takes on a different, let's say, higher dimension between the Col de la Schlucht and the Lac Blanc….

You can either catch your breath at the Lac Blanc (wonderful, romantic legend…) or the Col du Bonhomme and admire your new chicken strips with a smile. The frequency & sequence of the bends around the famous 'Gazon du Faing' will indeed claim their share of your rubber, but that will probably not pose any problem for you…

After the Col du Bonhomme, the novice can take a breather. This passage is almost exclusively on so-called 'green', beautiful roads and is a wonderful cool-down in the run-up to the tasty Bramont dessert that is served a little later.

A number of playful curves are the announcement of the Lac de Gérardmer a little further away. This lake is the largest natural lake in the Vosges and a great tourist attraction, both in summer and winter. In winter, the view of the lake from the ski slopes must be truly sublime…
Shortly after Gérardmer you pass La Bresse. It is nice to know that just after La Bresse you drive for a while along the 'little Moselle', a tributary of the 'larger' Moselle, which you may know well.

Crossing the Moselette you will immediately enter the bends Valhalla again. The next series of clothespins presents itself in preparation for the very cozy 'Bramont', which should of course not be missed in a curve route through the Vosges.

The Bramont is a great topper, especially if you as a beginner want to brush up on your techniques. The Bramont is not (yet) overly busy as many - ignorant of this gem - stick to the Route des Crêtes. But the Bramont does require some technical skills to be ridden well. The corners are sharp and they follow each other really quickly at times. Your load switching technique can be adjusted here, if necessary.
After the Bramont, a very pleasant 'cool down' follows a nice winding route through the Forêt Communale d'Oderen that takes you back to the hotel.

You will arrive back on the route from which you left and, if desired, you can refill the tank at the same gas station that you passed just after the start of the route. To do this, turn left instead of right when you arrive back on the original road where you started this route.

Like the other routes in this curve collection of the Vosges, this route is a gem in terms of better cornering. Although many are in favor of longer routes, this route is perhaps the ideal curve route in the Vosges. It is suitable for the beginner, but also allows experts to enjoy it to the fullest. There is plenty of time to repeat a col to enjoy it even more, or you can relax extensively on one of the many breaks with a view that this route has to offer.
That is why this route is more than worth its five stars. And then we haven't even weighed in on the excellent asphalt, the nature and the breathtaking views, as well as the opportunities this route offers to strengthen the bonds of friendship.

So it's not because 'it' is 'small' that you can't have fun with it, say our female colleagues… It seems size doesn't matter at all…