Reaching the high ridge road of the Vosges above Kruth and Wildenstein, Le Markstein is a winter sports station turned regular Tour de France finish, best known for its long, easy-going approach.
A long climb with a mild gradient
From Oderen, via Kruth and the Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein, it’s 20.5 km for 720 m of elevation gain, averaging a gentle 3.5% with a steepest section around 8%. The road tops out around 1,180 m on the Route des Crêtes.
A recurring Tour de France finish
Le Markstein has featured in the Tour de France several times, most recently at the end of stage 20 in 2023, when Tadej Pogačar soloed to victory on the way from Belfort — the race is scheduled to return here again in 2026.
Getting the ride right
The gentle average gradient makes this a good climb to push a bigger gear and build rhythm, though the final kilometre past the Kruth-Wildenstein lake picks up noticeably.
When to go
April to November — the ridge road stays rideable for longer than most Vosges summits, though early and late season mornings can be cold at altitude.
Good to know
The Lac de Kruth-Wildenstein, passed partway up the climb, is a popular stop for a break, while the Route des Crêtes at the top offers sweeping views over the Vosges toward the Grand Ballon.
