The Vosges are an XXL playground for mountain biking: deep forests, panoramic ridges, flow and technical singletracks, more than 2,000 km of waymarked routes in the department.
1. Tour of the Hohneck (expert)
55 km, 1,800 m of climbing, 6 to 7h. La Bresse, Schlucht, Hohneck, Rainkopf, Col du Bramont, return. For confirmed riders, a legendary day.
2. Four-lakes loop (intermediate)
38 km, 1,000 m of climbing, 4h. Corbeaux, Lispach, Blanchemer, Retournemer. Mix of forest tracks and flowing singletracks.
3. Enduro La Bresse-Ventron (expert)
Shuttles or e-MTBs, 4 to 5 committed descents in a day. Training spot for local competitors.
4. Vagney-Gérardmer via the ridges (intermediate)
45 km, 1,200 m of climbing. Build it as you wish via the greenway then climb up to the pastures.
5. Family discovery loop (easy)
12 km, 200 m of climbing. Around the Lispach peat bog and Lac de Retournemer on wide tracks. Ideal with kids aged 10 and over.
Waymarking and GPS apps
MTB routes in the Vosges are waymarked by the Club Vosgien and local cycling committees. The system uses:
- Yellow diamonds for recreational MTB routes (accessible level)
- Orange triangles for intermediate to expert-level trails
- Special markings on enduro pistes and in-resort singletracks
For precise navigation on ridges or in dense forest areas, three apps are particularly recommended:
- Komoot: community-validated tracks, detailed elevation profiles, excellent for planning stages. Most Vosges circuits are free to access.
- Wikiloc: large GPS trace database uploaded by local riders. Reliable for finding little-known variants.
- Vosges Rando (Vosges departmental council app): official topoguides, up-to-date waymarking, real-time condition info in certain seasons.
Always download tracks offline before setting out: network coverage is unreliable on the chaumes and in valley bottoms.
MTB with children
The Vosges are not reserved for technical off-road specialists. Several options suit families with children aged 10 to 14:
- Lac de Retournemer loop (circuit 5 above): wide well-packed tracks, minimal elevation, perfect for first MTB outings.
- Vologne valley greenway: partly surfaced cycle path linking Gérardmer to Épinal, flat or gently rolling, suitable from age 8 to 10.
- La Bresse Bike Park: the Pump Track and blue beginner piste are accessible from age 10 to 12 when accompanied.
- For longer loops with elevation, an adult e-MTB is an excellent solution for keeping up with children on the climbs.
Renting an e-MTB for parents means tackling the climbs while staying at the children’s pace. Most La Bresse rental shops offer family deals with graduated pricing.
Road cycling and gravel
The Vosges also lend themselves well to road cycling and gravel riding:
- Gravel bikes: hybrid road/off-road bikes, perfect for the Route des Crêtes (D61 between Cernay and Thann, with unsurfaced forest variants) and the panoramic roads of the Hautes Vosges.
- E-MTB: for Vosges elevation gains (often 1,000 to 1,800 m per day), the electric bike erases the difference between riders of different fitness, making it the ideal option for mixed-level groups or families.
The Route des Crêtes by gravel (85 km from Cernay to Grand Ballon) is a legendary day for experienced cyclists, with 360° views over both slopes.
Field repair kit
A mechanical failure deep in Vosges forest can turn a great outing into a long walk. Basic kit to always carry:
- Spare inner tube (check diameter and width before leaving, often 27.5 or 29 inches)
- Tyre levers (2 or 3 plastic levers)
- CO2 cartridge pump: lightweight, re-inflates a tyre in 10 seconds, carry 2 cartridges
- Tubeless repair kit if your bike runs tubeless (Dynaplugs or similar)
- Multi-tool: 4/5/6 mm Allen keys, screwdriver, chain breaker
- Quick link (KMC or Shimano) to repair a broken chain
- Small rag and degreaser spray to clean the chain after a muddy section
Rental shops and sports stores in La Bresse can assist with heavier repairs on site.
Best season
The ideal window for MTB in the Vosges runs from mid-May to mid-October:
- May-June: cool forests, spring flowers, trails not yet busy. Watch for some still-damp zones after snowmelt.
- July-August: high season, everything is rideable, but heat can be intense on exposed ridges. Prefer early starts.
- September-October: the golden period for Vosges MTB. Ideal cool temperatures, autumn foliage, low footfall.
Avoid the 48 to 72 hours after heavy rain, especially on clay-heavy tracks on north-facing slopes. Vosges mud sticks to tyres and degrades singletrack berms. Check the forecast and favour gravel paths or rocky ridges after rain.
Rental and repair
Several rental shops in the village, day rental (€30 to €45) or weekly. Double that for e-MTBs. Express repair workshops in several shops.
Safety
- Helmet essential
- Always carry inner tube, pump, multi-tool
- Tell someone your route on longer loops
- Check the weather, summer ridge storms can be violent
Book your chalet in La Bresse with bike garage to leave and come back ready to ride.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an e-MTB to ride in the Vosges?
No, the Vosges stay accessible on a muscle-powered MTB if you're fit. An e-MTB does open up longer loops and chained cols though.
Are the loops waymarked?
Yes. The Vosges department has more than 2,000 km of waymarked MTB trails, with colour coding by difficulty. GPS apps (Komoot, MTB Vosges) round it out.
Where can you rent a bike in La Bresse?
Several shops rent bikes in the village, daily (€30 to €45) or by the week. E-MTBs roughly double that. Express repair workshops also available.
When is the best period?
May to October. June-September for dry trails and long days. Avoid heavy rain periods as some technical sections become dangerous.