BR99 From the Val d'Argent to the Climont

The tour starts in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, the famous mining town of the Val d'Argent, with its unique cultural heritage linked to the textile industry and the extraction of minerals (silver, copper, lead). After a visit to the Tellure mining park, located directly on the route, head for the Bagenelles resort, a perfect introduction to the region's riches. The tour continues on a beautiful mountain road, climbing several passes: Col des Bagenelles, Col du Pré de Raves, Col de la Séboue, Col de Mandray, which mark out your route on the Vosges side. After passing close to La Croix-aux-Mines and Le Ban-de-Laveline, you reach a number of towns to the east of Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, not far from Provenchères-sur-Fave. Then cross the Col d'Urbeis into Alsace and the welcoming Vallée de Villé, before climbing the Climont, a famous Alsatian peak from which several rivers flow, including the Bruche and Giessen. At Fouchy, the road twists and turns as you climb the Col of the same name. This takes you back down to Lièpvre at the entrance to the Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines valley. Then take the Val d'Argent cycle route back to the starting point.