Autour B d'A. E - Parc naturel régional des Ballons des Vosges

Aroundthe Ballon d'AlsaceThe Ballon d'AlsaceAround the Ballon d'AlsaceThe stubble fields at the summit of the Ballon d’Alsace form a succession of heathland,grassland and meadows conducive to summer grazing. With ahigh-altitude beech wood at its top, the site offers a variety ofviews and approaches to the surrounding valleys.Saut de la TruiteThe Ballon d'Alsace culminates at an altitude of 1247 metres at the point where the threeregions of Franche-Comté, Alsace and Lorraine meet.The term ballon, often given to thecharacteristic rounded shape of the Vosgesmountain peaks, would in fact seem to derivefrom Bel or Baal, the sun god of the Celts.Indeed, from the Ballon d'Alsace, you can seethe sun rise directly above the Belchensummit in the Black Forest during the springand autumn equinoxes, and directly abovethe Petit Ballon and the Bölchenfluch in theSwiss Jura during the summer and wintersolstices. We may therefore surmise that theCelts used the Ballon d'Alsace as a solar observatory.There are plenty of things to see and do in the region: nature sites, museums, monuments, ruralheritage, nature trails, footpaths, mountain-bike circuits, etc. And there is no shortage oforganised activities and events: nature expeditions, concerts,village fairs and festivals, country markets and so on. Youwill find full details of these and other activities in thecalendars published by the Ballons des Vosges RegionalNature Park or from the local Tourist Offices.This local heritage mini-guide includesa selection of over 80 sites tovisit and walks to enjoy.FoxgloveThe Doller Valley seen from the Ballon d'Alsace Plancher-les-MinesThe Haute-MoselleFashioned by ancient glaciers, the U-shaped Moselle Valley ischaracterised by the presence of glacial cirques. There arecountless walks to enjoy in the valley which is also notable forits cultural heritage.The Sub-Vosges AreaFrom the summit of the Ballon d'Alsace to theMalsaucey site, the Upper Savoureuse Valley combinesthe best of leisure and cultural activities. Water formsthe backdrop to a host of visits showcasing the humanactivities of the Sub-Vosges Area.The Rahin ValleyA vast woodland area where man and nature livetogether in close harmony, the Rahin Valley has, sincethe Middle Ages, thrived on the presence of forests andseams of argentiferous lead and coal. The towns andvillages contain many a cultural reference to the historyof mining.The Doller ValleyA land of river sources, lakes and legends, of orchards,meadows and forests. An ideal setting for quiet,relaxing walks.Source of the MosellePond fishing/ 1