If this is your first time cycling in the Vosges, don't be mistaken. The soft rounded tops of the mountains are deceptive. On the last Sunday in June, participants in L’Alsacienne will discover this as they climb the mountain greenway that leads to the Col du Haag. The climb lasts for 11.2 km.
The foot of the pass: the heart of the matter
The very first kilometre sets the tone. There is no gradual warm-up. The road rises sharply with a gradient of over 10% and even a section at 19%! Riding out of the saddle (read our article) is often not a choice by a necessity to climb the first slopes just after the Saint-Amarin feed zone. In any case, standing on the pedals will enable you to avoid excessive strain on your quadriceps right away, as reaching the top of the Col du Haag, still out of view, has to be earned. It will be a long climb.
There is a slightly less steep section after the last houses in the village of Saint-Amarin. The road surface is good and you may find the coolness refreshing as you enter the forest. But a word of advice, even if still have energy in your legs: take advantage of this let-up to get your breath back and pedal smoothly. If you are over-optimistic, the next part of the climb will be punishing.
The right pace: listen to your body
After a climb of 2.5 kilometers you will reach the first hairpin bend. You must now :
- Find your pace,
- Ajuster son braquet,
- And above all not give in to the temptation keep up with someone else.
Pay attention to how you feel and watch your breathing rather than your neighbour’s derailleur! The road continues to climb steadily with a perfect surface, but the gradient now remains over 10%. After the third bend, at the Mehrbaechle junction, there is again a steeper gradient of over 15% for 300 meters, up to the sign for Geishouse.
Geishouse: a short rest
As you leave the forest, the mountain village of Geishouse offers postcard scenery and above all a short but welcome rest. It is the ideal time to relax your thighs and back, and have something quick to eat. A carbohydrate supplement is sensible here, just before starting the second part of the Col du Haag. Stay vigilant however and hold onto your handlebars, as the surface of the charming village streets is sometimes uneven.
You will see a magnificent panorama as you leave Geishouse. A sign will tell you that there are still seven kilometres to the top of the pass. You are now on the Le Haag Greenway, inaugurated in 2023. It will become legendary as the 14 stage of the 2026 Tour de France.
At the start of the cycle path, you will see the iconic outline of the Grand Ballon, easily recognisable by its radome, the white dome watching over the Alsatian sky.
The Greenway: manage your energy up to the Col du Haag
The key to successfully finishing the climb is to manage your energy. Only cyclists able to do that will conquer the Col du Haag, taking advantage of the few less difficult sections to pedal more smoothly again. You will have a chance to recover a little and stop fighting the gradient when you see the Grand Ballon for the second time.
Higher up, a final 500 metre section, almost flat this time, means you have nearly reached the top. The whole of this second part of the climb is on the Greenway. Even if the parallel white lines make you feel like a 400 metre runner, the rule to remember throughout the climb is to save your strength for the final section.
The last two kilometres: the hardest part
The totem standing on the final bend tells you that you have reached the hardest part. The final section of the Greenway is amazing. Forget the calculations and specific instructions: on the last two kilometres, just do your best with the strength you have left. For randonnée cyclists who have opted for electric assist on the 56 km or 75 km circuits, now is the time to warm up your motor.
The Vosgienne cow bells ringing mark the end of the climb. ... phew!
The Le Haag farmhouse inn is above you. The Greenway opens onto the famous Route des Crêtes. Before joining it, have one last look at the Grand Ballon, clearly visible on your right. But you will still have to wait for the descent, and follow the Route des Crêtes for five kilometres to the Markstein resort.
