The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura

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.

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This trekking guide from Cicerone has, as usual, all the comprehensive information about long distance trails that this publishing house is well known for.

This trekking guide from Cicerone has, as usual, all the comprehensive information about long distance trails that this publishing house is well known for. The trail itself is divided into eleven sections and there follows a useful section of short walks along the GR5/GR3, being eight in all, and varying in length from six to twelve miles.

The route commences in the Northern Vosges Regional Park, north of Strasbourg, and finishes in the Haut-Jura Regional Park bordering Lake Geneva. The note on camping commends French sites generally, but warns that wild camping regulations vary be-tween different communes. There is the usual proviso that wild pitching, even outside restricted areas, should be discreet and away from roads and houses.

The guide lists the relevant maps required at the beginning of each section and, help-fully, there is a list of possible stockists in the Appendix. Each of the eleven sections of the walk is divided into bite sized chunks with detailed descriptions of the route and things to note along the way. Each chunk varies between two and five miles or so and, of course, should be read in conjunction with the map. The sections seem to be between thirty and forty miles each and are accompanied by the relevant guide map in the book. An ascent chart is included at the beginning of the book.

For those interested, there is an Appendix showing the other long distance routes in the area of the Vosges and Jura, which include the GRs 31 and 32, the GTJ and the GR 39. Other appendices give a route summary table and a facilities table together with a list of useful websites.

The prose is easy to read and set out in a straightforward way, the route details kept separate from incidental information. The book is the normal Cicerone guide size of 12x17cm.

Sean Putnam, Backpack