THE "BALLONS" VOSGES MOUNTAINS
	THE "BALLONS" VOSGES MOUNTAIN NATURAL RESERVE spreads over various summits in four departments: the "Haut-Rhin", the "Territoire de Belfort", the "Vosges" and the "Haute-Saône". This region not only offers softly-rounded green mountains and steep rocky slopes but also shelters a preserved flora and fauna. Its dynamism is linked to agriculture, industry, and tourism. The park's vocation, far from its nature reserve vocation, is to consolidate an harmonious environment where the protection of the natural milieu uses the intermediary of economic activities. Strolls, hiking, VTT, downhill skiing... Here, nature is fortifying and sovereign. The various landscapes of fields, forests and lakes are exceptional. The way of life in this area is a little peculiar. Among the fields and on the field-plateaux, you can come across "marcairies". Some have long since been turned into bed and breakfasts. During the transhumances, the farmers would lead the herds around these "marcairies". The "Ballons" Vosges Mountains are criss-crossed by 6,000km (3720mi) of paths created by the "Club Vosgien"! THE MOUNTAIN RIDGE ROAD If the stroller thinks that this road was traced to allow people to better appreciate the landscape, he/she hasn't heard the real story. This path that helps visitors discover the "Hautes-Vosges" Mountains was created by the French during the 1914-1918 War. This strategic road follows very closely the mountain ridge. Today, it is more ecological and less tactical. This road allows the visitor to discover lakes, mountain passes, field-plateaux, steep slopes, forests and large open spaces (with numerous marked trails) from the Bagenelles Pass to Cernay. For more information on Petite Pierre and these sights, click here. Adaptation and Translation: Sarah BROSSART-TARDIVON

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