This route from the Motorcycle Tour Guide France part 1 is a tour along Ballon d'Alsace

Bert Loorbach, the author, is an avid motorcyclist himself and lived in France for a year and a half. During that time, he dedicated himself to mapping France's lesser-known and beautiful back roads specifically for motorcyclists.

This is the fourth route in the book. It starts in Gérardmer and ends in Chernay. There are hotels and campsites nearby, which are listed as points of interest. This route includes several beautiful cols, such as the Col du Haut de la Côte, Col de Grosse Pierre, and Col La Gentiane.

The ride starts in Gérardmer, nestled among mountains covered in dense pine forests on the largest lake in the Vosges, Lac de Gérardmer. It's a great base for several rides, and this is one of three routes that start here.

The first part of the route goes to La Bresse, where we cycle over the Col de Grosse Pierre and through a beautiful valley.
From La Bresse, we follow the D486, which runs along the Moselotte River to Cornimont. From Cornimont, we drive through a beautiful valley to Le Thillot, where you can stop for a coffee in one of the cafés.

From Le Thillot, we ride 6 km along the N6 to the turnoff that marks the beginning of the circuit that cuts through the Ballons des Vosges Regional Park and takes you past the famous Ballon d'Alsace. This road is considered one of the top 10 most beautiful roads in France by French motorcyclists. So take your time to enjoy this road and the beautiful panoramas. There are plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the surroundings.

The 1,247-meter-high Ballon d'Alsace is a mountain in France in the southern Vosges Mountains. From the summit, Mont Blanc can be seen in clear weather. The road, which connects the Moselle Valley in the north with the Savoureuse Valley in the south and the Doller Valley in the east, passes over a pass at an altitude of 1,171 meters. The Ballon d'Alsace is also very popular with cyclists, so be aware that it can be busy and drive at a reasonable speed.

The first section immediately includes a number of nice hairpin bends and along the way you pass the Hotel du Sommet where you may be staying that evening, so it is an option to stop and check in and leave your luggage.

You'll ride clockwise along Rue de Ballon d'Alsace, the first section being a scenic descent through a wooded area. The route offers beautiful panoramic views along the way.

The first place to stop and take photos is Lac d'Alfeld, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Vosges Mountains and truly stunning. Hiking is also possible.

In Masevaux-Niederbruck there is the possibility to have a drink and/or something to eat in one of the small restaurants and cafes.

The route continues via Masevaux, Rougemont le Château, Grosmagny, Petitmagny and Giromagny. This is also a very beautiful road, also known as La Trouée de Belfort, and is a narrow passage between the Vosges and the Jura mountains.

At Rougegoute, you deviate from the original route for a short distance to follow the D24, a beautiful winding road. From Giromagny, you follow the original route again, which climbs to the finish at the Ballon d'Alsace with some very beautiful hairpin bends.

At the top of the mountain, you'll arrive at the Hôtel du Sommet, where you can stay overnight. Alternatively, there's a campsite near the village of Oberbruck.

Take your time on this route; you can occasionally deviate from the road and take a small, off-road path. Be careful, though, as some roads can be very narrow and gravel.