Col du Grand Ballon, Mountain pass in Soultz-Haut-Rhin, France

The Col du Grand Ballon is a mountain pass in the Vosges range, located in the Soultz-Haut-Rhin area of Alsace, France. The road climbs through forest before opening onto open ridgelines near the top.

The pass lies on the Route des Crêtes close to the Grand Ballon, the highest summit of the Vosges at 1,424 m, which it skirts to the east. It is not a route of importance for transport, so the road is generally not cleared of snow in winter. The Tour de France first crossed it in 1969, with Lucien Van Impe leading over the top, and has done so nine times in all, most recently in 2026. The 2022 Tour de France Femmes climbed it on stage 7, where Annemiek van Vleuten passed alone in front.

The road is narrow and winding, so drivers should take care, especially on the steeper sections. The pass is most accessible from late spring through early autumn, as snow can make conditions difficult in winter.

The pass is not cleared of snow in winter, as it is not a key transport route. The Tour de France first crossed it in 1969, with Lucien Van Impe leading over the summit; it has been crossed nine times in total, most recently in 2026. Annemiek van Vleuten crossed it alone in front on stage 7 of the 2022 Tour de France Femmes.