Le Grimpeur de la Schlucht cycle route

From Gérardmer, drive along the lake towards Épinal. At the traffic circle at the end of the lake, turn left towards Ramberchamp. After the Espace LAC, swimming pool and tennis courts, turn right towards La Bresse.

Cross the Haut de la Côte - Les Bas-Rupts pass, then continue towards La Bresse via the Grosse Pierre pass. As you enter La Bresse, drive through the town towards the center. Then turn left and follow the Chajoux valley for 11 km.

At Col des Feignes, turn left towards Col de la Schlucht (1139 m). Take a break at the summit, then follow the Route des Crêtes north to the Col du Calvaire (1144 m). You pass through the Tanet - Gazon du Faing nature reserve, remarkable for its high stubble fields and open landscapes.

At Col du Calvaire, turn left towards Col du Bonhomme. Descend for about 2.5 km, then at the Col de Louschpach, take the small forest road on the left. Descend towards the Meurthe valley.

At Etang des Dames, turn left towards Le Valtin, then join Xonrupt-Longemer and Gérardmer via the Col du Surceneux to complete the itinerary.

Tip: from the Col du Calvaire, vary the route by descending to the right towards Lac Blanc, then the Col du Wettstein, Soultzeren and the ascent to the Col de la Schlucht. This variant offers beautiful views of the steep slopes of the Vosges mountains.