Walk up Petit Ballon Peak from Munster Valley

By Vicky · Published Apr. 3rd, 2024

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Take a lovely hike up Petit Ballon Peak from Munster Valley on this one-way walk from Metzeral to Munster, returning on the train.

Location

This walk up Petit Ballon Peak starts from Metzeral Train Station in Munster Valley. It ends at Munster Train Station, 10 minutes train ride away. The train from Colmar to Metzeral takes 44 minutes, or a similar time driving. You can buy tickets from a machine at any of the train stations.

Tips for the Walk up Petit Ballon Peak

The Ferme Auberge Rothenbrunnen is a lovely restaurant near the top of the Petit Ballon. Ferme Auberge Buchwald is another restaurant on the way down, though it’s only open in summer. There are no other refreshments available on this walk, so bring enough food and water.
Check the train timetable on the official website. You can buy tickets online in advance, or just buy them from the machines at the station.
It’s better to walk this route from Metzeral to Munster rather than the other way round because there’s 100 metres less climb and it means the way up is more interesting.
Check out Hohneck Peak, the Best Walking Routes in Alsace, or our France Walking and Hiking page for a nearby walk.

Walking Route up Petit Ballon Peak from Munster Valley

Walking up Petit Ballon Peak from Metzeral and over to Munster in Alsace

From Metzeral Train Station, follow the road through the village around to the left. Take the lane signed to the right, and then take the first on the left on the path into the woodland. The route climbs upwards and you’ll soon be above a granite quarry that covers the hillside to your left.

Shortly after, the path bends right and into the open. Turn right past the fence, just inside some woodland. Keep on following the hiking signs, and take the path to the right into the semi-open. Continue onwards, admiring the views of the Munster Valley to your right. The path leads around the corner, heading gently upwards.

Walking past rock formations on Steinberg near Petit Ballon Peak, Vosges, Alsace, France

Rocks at the top of Steinberg near Petit Ballon Peak

Stay on the main track, until a path branches off to the left up to the ridge. It’s signposted to the Petit Ballon via Steinberg, and it’s the most scenic route to walk. You’ll soon be on the top of the ridge in a large grassy open area with views to either side.

The scenery gets better and better, with some cool rocks at the top of Steinberg (Stony Mountain in German). From here you can see the town of Munster, wild valleys and across Hohneck Peak on the other side of the valley. Continuing onwards, the path leads slightly down to Petit Ballon Col where there’s a small car park. There’s also a restaurant a short distance to the right.

Walking to the top of Petit Ballon Peak

Views from near the top of Petit Ballon Peak, Vosges, Alsace, France

Head onwards, and walk straight up the grassy slope to the top of Petit Ballon. There are more great views from her, including the Grand Ballon to the right and if you’re looking, a panorama of the Alps in the distance straight ahead. Once you’ve admired the view, turn left along the trees.

Follow the hiking signs downwards, on the small path that bends left above some rocky cliffs. You’ll then head into the trees and further down to a road. Follow this track as it zigzags downwards before taking the path leading left to reach Ferme Auberge Buchwald.

Waking down to Munster from Metzeral in Vosges, Alsace

Walking through a field down to Munster in Alsace

As the track bends after this farm, the path to Munster leads off to the right along the edge of the trees. There’s a small uphill to a rocky little viewpoint before the path continues downwards and back into the forest. The rest of the walk leads downhill towards Munster. You mainly follow the crest of the ridge, though sometimes the main hiking trail takes a slightly gentler option zigzagging to the right.

Once you reach the small road at the bottom, turn right. Follow it as it bends left towards the centre of town. Munster train station is in a short distance on your right. From here you can take a train back to Metzeral. This is the end of the Walk up Petit Ballon Peak from Munster Valley.