The Ballons des Vosges Nature Park, in northeastern France, boasts a breathtaking natural and cultural heritage. While the south is famous for its rounded mountain peaks, the north is less well known. While the panoramas here are rarer, it still has plenty of charm. Rather than stubble fields and pastures, the ridges here are covered in enchanting forests and strange rock formations. This is the face of the massif that I invite you to discover in this 83-kilometre (51 mi), 3,000-metre (10,000 ft) climb, divided into four stages.

Starting in Villé, the first day is devoted to crossing the Altenberg massif and its sandstone formations. On the second day, you’ll follow Val d'Argent to the east, crossing the two magical ridges of Taennchel and Brézouard. On the third day, you’ll traverse the idyllic western ridge of the valley. On the final day, you’ll return to Val de Villé to climb its iconic summit, Climont.

To make the journey even more enchanting, I suggest spending the nights in one of the many unguarded shelters dotted around this region. While these rudimentary huts are limited to the bare minimum, a roof, you don't need to bring a tent. Each stage ends at one of these huts but you can adapt the itinerary to your preferences.

If you want to sleep somewhere more comfortable, the only option is the commune of Lièpvre. For the other days, you’ll have to deviate from the route and descend into the valley. This experience immerses you in the heart of nature at all times.

Lièpvre is the only town on the route, so don't forget to stock up on food before setting off on the second day. After that, there are virtually no opportunities for refuelling. Bring a water filter or purifying tablets as not all springs are drinkable.

To spare your joints on the descent, I recommend bringing hiking poles. A good pair of hiking boots is essential, as is a rain jacket, and you’ll need to adapt your layers according to the season.

You can undertake this trek between April and November before the snow arrives. Summer affords the best experience as the nights outside will be milder and you'll appreciate the shade provided by the trees on hot days.

To get to the start, you can take bus route 510 from Sélestat to Villé. Sélestat is on the Strasbourg-Basel railway line for the longer routes.

All that's left for me to do is to wish you a wonderful hike around the Argent and Villé valleys.