VOSGES ROUTE DES CRÊTES, FRANCE

The Vosges Route des Crêtes is one of France’s great mountain driving experiences. Running along the ridgeline that separates Alsace from Lorraine, this historic road was originally constructed during the First World War for military purposes. Today, its purpose is altogether different. It offers drivers a remarkable ribbon of tarmac through dense forests, sweeping mountain pastures and some of the most spectacular elevated scenery in eastern France. It may not carry the international reputation of the great Alpine passes, but for those who appreciate a road that flows with the landscape, the Vosges will be your next hidden gem.

This one-day New Roads adventure begins in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, climbing steadily into the mountains before joining the famous Route des Crêtes. 

The journey begins at Place du Prensureux, where the D416 and D459 establish an inviting rhythm as the road begins to climb away from the valley. The D48, D148 and D61 introduce a more technical character, with changing direction and elevation keeping you engaged as the landscape transitions from small mountain communities to increasingly remote woodland.

Eventually the D417 brings you towards the Col de la Schlucht, one of the Vosges’ most celebrated mountain passes. Sitting at approximately 1,139 metres above sea level, this is where the scale of the landscape becomes apparent. 

From here, the driving takes on a different character. The D430 marks the beginning of the route’s central chapter, with the road tracing the mountain ridge through a sequence of flowing bends and magnificent open scenery. Gone are the more enclosed woodland sections of the morning. In their place are broad views across the Vosges, rolling highland pastures and the sense of space that makes driving at altitude so memorable.

Lunch comes at Ferme Auberge Breizhousen, a traditional mountain stop that offers the chance to experience the region beyond the driver’s seat. The Vosges is famous for its ferme auberges, where hearty regional food and mountain hospitality have long been part of the landscape. It’s the perfect opportunity to slow the pace and enjoy the surroundings before returning to the road.

The afternoon continues along the D430 towards Le Markstein, where the road settles into a beautifully composed rhythm. The corners flow naturally between short straights and gentle elevation changes, demanding enough attention to remain engaging without ever feeling relentless. It’s this balance that makes the Route des Crêtes so special. Rather than delivering one dramatic hairpin after another, it encourages smooth, considered driving, rewarding those who appreciate the satisfaction of linking bends together.

And then comes the final mountain chapter. The D430 and D431G carry the route towards the Grand Ballon, the highest summit in the Vosges Mountains at 1,424 metres. where wide horizons, high mountain scenery and sweeping bends combine to create a fitting climax. On a clear day, views can stretch across the Alsace plain towards the Black Forest and even the distant Alps. It’s an extraordinary setting and one that deserves more than a fleeting glance through the windscreen.

A stop at La Maison de l’Abeille et du Pain d’Épices offers the perfect excuse to park up, enjoy the mountain air and capture a photograph of the car against the landscape. After all, any car against the backdrop of the Vosges is a sight worth remembering.

The final leg descends towards Uffholtz via the D5 and D505, leaving the open ridgeline behind as the scenery gradually softens into the foothills of Alsace. There’s something particularly satisfying about this last section. The intensity of the mountain driving gives way to a more relaxed rhythm, with the sense of a day well spent settling in as the valley approaches.

Ending up at Restaurant Pizzeria Da Giu’ provides a fitting conclusion, a chance to reflect on a journey that has delivered far more than its relatively modest mileage might suggest.

I believe us, this is a road you will dine out on for years to come!