Between the GR 5 and GR 9, the aptly-named GR 59 links the Vosges mountains to the Jura mountains over a distance of five hundred and eighty-six kilometres, ninety-eight of which are in Haute-Saône. The route begins in the mountains, at the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace, near the Vierge, at an altitude of 1247 metres. This variant of the GR 5 passes through four départements and two regions, offering magnificent views, mostly on a clear day, of the Black Forest to the east, the Jura and the Alps to the south, and the Vosges peaks to the north. To the west lies the Haute-Saône region, which it heads towards on its first few bends.
Hiking signs at Ballon d'Alsace - GR 59 - Vosges du Sud
Signposting hiking routes at the top of the Ballon d'Alsace with a couple of hikers in the background - Vosges du SudWhile the statue of Joan of Arc, erected in 1909, serves as a reminder that the German border was close by, the GR 59 heads towards the Ballon de Servance, then Belfahy, the highest village in Haute-Saône and the Vosges Massif, perched at an altitude of 900m.
