Cicerone The GR5 Trail – Vosges and Jura

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Guidebook to a 687km (427 mile) trek through eastern France, traversing the Vosges and the Haut-Jura plateau. The route follows the GR53 from Wissembourg to Schirmeck, before picking up the central section of the GR5 from Schirmeck to Nyon on Lake Geneva, taking in wooded and grassy hills, river gorges and fascinating castle ruins

Cicerone says

This guidebook describes a long-distance walking route through the delightful Vosges and Jura. Situated in France near the eastern border, the three regional parks of the Ballons des Vosges, Northern Vosges and Jura Mountains boast verdant forests, striking rock features and low rounded summits offering spectacular views. Yet, in spite of their extensive network of well-maintained paths, they are not high profile tourist destinations. This walk offers a chance to uncover the hidden secrets of this fascinating area, from its rich wildlife to ancient ruins.

Starting in Wissembourg at the northeastern tip of France, the route follows the GR53 southwest to Schirmeck, before picking up the central section of the much-celebrated GR5 (which runs from the Hook of Holland to Nice) between Schirmeck and Nyon on Lake Geneva. The scenery is as varied as it is beautiful, from the tranquil forests of the Northern Vosges to the impressive river gorges of the Jura, from long-forgotten castles to the charming half-timbered villages of old Alsace. Well within the capabilities of any moderately fit walker and clearly waymarked, the entire trek takes five to six weeks, although it could also be walked in stages.

The guide presents the route in 11 chapters, which in turn are broken into short sections of a few hours each, allowing for a flexible itinerary and easy route planning. There are also suggestions for shorter circular routes making use of sections of the GR53/GR5, as well as an overview of other long-distance routes in the region. A summary of local history, plants and wildlife and delicacies can be found in the introduction and appendices offer details of facilities on route and full accommodation listings. With clear route description and a wealth of information to help plan your trip, this comprehensive guide is an ideal companion to discovering this interesting and varied route

Our Verdict

For nearly 50 years Cicerone have been producing guidebooks on recognised treks, regions, areas and general tips for hikers.

We have used them countless times and they’ve always provided excellent insight and knowledge that you only get through experience, giving you the edge to make your trip a success and more enjoyable too.

If you’re a gram counter you can easily remove sections of the book to take with you making your own ultra-lightweight guidebook with only the essential sections that you require.

– Reviewed by Ultralight Outdoor Gear

Features

• Seasons: Spring to Autumn, although a late spring may see snow lingering on some of the higher stretches.
• Centres: Wissembourg, Saverne, Schirmeck, Ribeauvillé, Villers-le-Lac, Les Rousses, Nyon
• Difficulty: A well-waymarked route, suitable for any reasonably fit walker. On some stretches, it may be necessary to drop off-route a short distance to obtain food or accommodation.
• Must See: The quiet Northern Vosges, with castle ruins on rocky pinnacles; the enchanting winemaking villages of Alsace; the hilltops and glacial lakes of the Vosges; the tranquil gorge of the Doubs, and the spectacular Saut du Doubs waterfall; outlook points over the expansive Jura plateau; the impressive cliffs of Mont d’Or

Specifications

• Edition: Second
• Number of pages: 208
• Size: 17.2 x 11.6 x 1.3cm
• Weighs 230g

Contents

Introduction
Why visit the Vosges and Jura?
Landscape
History
Wildlife
When to visit
Access
Local transport
Accommodation
Camping
Food and drink
What to take
Maps
GR system and waymarking
Safety and health
Language
Money
Telephones and internet
Using this guide
The GR53 Wissembourg to Schirmeck
Section 1 GR53 Wissembourg to Niederbronn-les-Bains
Section 2 GR53 Niederbronn-les-Bains to Saverne
Section 3 GR53 Saverne to Schirmeck
The GR5 Schirmeck to Nyon
Section 4 GR5 Schirmeck to Ribeauvillé
Section 5 GR5 Ribeauvillé to Mittlach
Section 6 GR5 Mittlach to Thann
Section 7 GR5 Thann to Brévilliers
Section 8 GR5 Brévilliers to St-Hippolyte
Section 9 GR5 St-Hippolyte to Villers-le-Lac
Section 10 GR5 Villers-le-Lac to Les Hôpitaux-Neufs
Section 11 GR5 Les Hôpitaux-Neufs to Nyon
Short walks along the GR5/GR53

Appendix A Long distance routes in the Vosges and Jura
Appendix B Route summary tables
Appendix C Facilities table
Appendix D Useful websites
Appendix E Accommodation