The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura

Schirmeck to Lac Léman, and the GR53

By Les Smith, Elizabeth Smith

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.

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
ISBN
9781852848125
Availability
Published
Published
18 Apr 2017
Edition
Second
Pages
208
Size
17.20 x 11.60 x 1.25cm
Weight
230g
Overview
Guidebook to a principal north-south long-distance walking route through eastern France, traversing the Vosges and the Haut-Jura plateau along the GR5/GR53. The 687km (427-mile) waymarked path traverses the entire length of the Vosges, and then climbs up onto the plateau of the Haut-Jura before dropping down to Nyon on the shores of Lake Geneva. The GR5 is one of the great walking routes across Europe, crossing the continent from the Dutch coast to the Mediterranean, and the route described here is the central section (518km) from Schirmeck down to Lake Geneva. In addition, the GR53 in the Northern Vosges from Wissembourg to Schirmeck (169km) is described as an offshoot of the GR5 that allows walkers to complete the entire chain of the Vosges.

The route is presented 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.

Two further Cicerone guidebooks cover the remaining sections of the GR5; 'The GR5 Trail - Benelux and Lorraine', and 'The GR5 Trail' which covers the route from Lac Léman to the Mediterranean.
Table of Contents
Maps
Updates
Reviews
Downloads

Les Smith

Les and Elizabeth Smith live in Perthshire and, after following sensible careers as scientist and geographer respectively, have embraced a more flexible outdoor life, pursuing their love of Scotland, wild places, wild life and photography. Enthusiastic walkers and campers, they have backpacked along many long-distance routes, both in the UK and more widely in Europe. This is their first guidebook.

View author profile

Elizabeth Smith

View author profile