Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein
Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein
4.9
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343
hikers
Blue Devils Monument – Grand Ballon loop from Le Markstein
05:02
16.3km
460m
Hiking
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 22, 2026
Tips
Temporary access restrictions
Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.
After 11.7 km for 60 m
Closed: • November-April (otherwise open)
Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
Get Directions
6.92 km
View of the Grand Ballon
Highlight • Other
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7.08 km
Haag Pass
Highlight • Mountain Pass
Originally, it was laid out by French troops as a supply route during the First World War. Today, in the snow-free months, it is mainly visitors to the Vosges who travel on it. It runs for 75 km from Col du Bonhomme in the north via Col de la Schlucht, Hohneck, Markstein, Grand Ballon and Cernay to Thann in the south.
The route passes several sites from the First World War and touches the highest mountain in the Vosges, the Grand Ballon.
Mostly deciduous and mixed forests line the road, or there are wonderful views of the wooded slopes of the Vosges, the Rhine plain and the Black Forest opposite. On a clear day the view extends as far as the Swiss Alps and Montblanc.
On nice days it is very popular with bikers with and without motor, and hikers get their money's worth on the left and right of the road.
Many convertible tours are also made here, which come from all regions of Europe.
The Ferme, (cozy Alsatian country inns), which can be found along the entire route, offer refreshment opportunities.
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7.10 km
Beautiful trail to the Grand Ballon
Highlight (Segment) • Trail
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8.34 km
Blue Devils Monument
Highlight • Monument
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8.47 km
Grand Ballon
Highlight • Summit
In 1927, a monument to the Blue Devils (French: Diables bleus), a mountain infantry battalion during World War I, was erected. It was destroyed by the Germans in September 1940 and reconstructed by the sculptor Bouret in October 1960. A radar station has stood on the summit since 1997, serving civilian aviation during approaches to the airports of Strasbourg and Basel-Mulhouse.
On clear days, you can see far into the Rhine Valley and the Alps.
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8.58 km
Way to the observatory
Highlight • Other
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8.58 km
Grand Ballon Civil Aviation Radar
Highlight • Other
Under the radome, visitors can access an orientation table offering superb views.
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8.84 km
View of the Grand Ballon
Highlight • Viewpoint
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16.3 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
9.24 km
3.59 km
2.27 km
1.13 km
< 100 m
< 100 m
Surfaces
13.2 km
1.46 km
818 m
701 m
< 100 m
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Elevation
Highest point (1,410 m)
Lowest point (1,160 m)
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Weather
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Saturday 16 May
12°C
1°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.