France - Vosges

The Vosges mountains west of Colmar

 

Scrambles and Alpine climbs

The arete des Spitzopf is a long, enjoyable and exposed ridge on excellent granite in the heart of the Vosges. The views are magnificent. Although never very difficult, most people will be glad of a rope. However, only a minimum of gear is necessary, making this, in good weather, an excellent lightweight scramble. Take a rope betweeen 30m and 50m , a few long slings, and a couple of large nuts or friends, there are no bolts. It is also a worthwhile winter climb, when conditions allow.

Difficulty
III - long steep sections. Use of technical equipment necessary
Time required
1 hour to descend, allow 2 to 3 hours for the ridge.
Crag

Gueberschwihr is a beautiful little village in the middle of the vineyards on the edge of the Vosges. Just above the village is a sandstone escarpment with some very pleasant climbing and bouldering. It is easily accessible from the Rhine Valley, and s very popular, especially on sunny Sundays. The climbing is of good quality, very well bolted, with a bit of something for everyone crammed into a few small cliffs.

Number of routes
100
Range of Routes
3 - 8c
Rock Type
Sandstone
Sun
In the morning
Crag

An interesting granite crag in a beautiful location with multi pitch routes up to 70m in length. The routes are well bolted and finish on the top of the large pinnacle "Rocher Hans" that overlooks Lac Blanc. A couple of friends and wires may still be useful, depending on the route. The area is a popular tourist destination, with bathing in the lake when it is hot enough in the summer. The routes themselves are rarely crowded.

Number of routes
20
Range of Routes
5a - 7c
Rock Type
Granite
Crag

One of the best and most popular crags in the North of the Vosges. Langenfels has many excellent, well bolted routes on a number of towers.  A beautiful place with some excellent climbing. In the heat of summer, the small lake just down the road offers ice cream, beer,  sunbathing and swimming.

Range of Routes
5c - 7c
Rock Type
Sandstone
Sun
Depends on the sector, you can move around to get more or less sun as necessary.
Crag

A friendly crag just above the village of Philippsbourg. It has two faces, an overhanging East side with some hard, strenuous routes, and a vertical south side with some mid grade routes. Not a huge number of routes, but all of excellent quality, well bolted and ease of access

Number of routes
20
Range of Routes
5c - 8b
Rock Type
Sandstone
Sun
The north east side is well shaded, the south side gets the sun most of the day
Crag

A very interesting crag with a long history and some fine routes. The topology of Vieux Windstein is complex with tunnels, walkways and two major towers, but once you orient yourself you will find something to suit your taste.

Number of routes
50
Range of Routes
5b - 8b
Rock Type
Sandstone
Sun
Choose your sector according to the season and the time of day
Climbing Area

The Vosges national park is a large and beautiful area of sandstone west of the Rhine, between Mulhouse in the south and the German border in the north. Thee are three main climbing areas. In the south there are a few isolated outcrops, around the village of Gueberschwir. In the middle several outcrops west of Strasbourg. In the north the climbing area is on towers of sandstone, and geologically is an extension of the German Rheinland Pfalz. Unlike the Pfalz the routes are well bolted. 

Number of routes
1000
Crag

A pleasant crag with some excellent, well bolted routes in beautiful surroundings. The Etang de Hanau offers swimming and camping in the summer months

Number of routes
60
Range of Routes
5a - 7c
Rock Type
Sandstone
Sun
There is always somewhere in the sun or shade