The GR5 Trail - Vosges and Jura. Elizabeth Smith

      Les and Elizabeth Smith originally trained as a scientist and a geographer, and spent many years pursuing sensible careers. Their outdoor interests encouraged them to adopt a less secure but more flexible lifestyle, which allows more time for exploring the Scottish hills and travelling further afield.

      Enthusiastic walkers and campers, they have backpacked along many long distance routes, both in the UK and more widely in Europe. Their trips often take them to less publicised areas, where a walking trail can provide an excellent way of seeing the country and meeting local people. They firmly believe that travelling and enjoying the outdoors does not depend on a generous budget.

      © Les and Elizabeth Smith 2017

      Second edition 2017

      ISBN: 978 1 85284 812 5

      First edition (Trekking in the Vosges and Jura) 2006

      Printed by KHL Printing, Singapore

      A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

       The routes of the GR®, PR® and GRP® paths in this guide have been reproduced with the permission of the Fédération Française de la Randonnée Pédestre holder of the exclusive rights of the routes. The names GR®, PR® and GRP® are registered trademarks. © FFRP 2017 for all GR®, PR® and GRP® paths appearing in this work.

      All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated.

      Acknowledgements

      We would like to thank the many people we met along the route who provided companionship and useful information. Walking these trails would be much harder without the efforts of the many volunteers who maintain the waymarking: to them, our thanks.

      Updates to this Guide

      While every effort is made by our authors to ensure the accuracy of guidebooks as they go to print, changes can occur during the lifetime of an edition. Any updates that we know of for this guide will be on the Cicerone website (www.cicerone.co.uk/812/updates), so please check before planning your trip. We also advise that you check information about such things as transport, accommodation and shops locally. Even rights of way can be altered over time. We are always grateful for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground, sent by email to [email protected] or by post to Cicerone, 2 Police Square, Milnthorpe LA7 7PY, United Kingdom.

      Front cover: Approaching Belacker (Section 7)

      CONTENTS

       Map key

       Summary map of the GR5/GR53 route

       Route profile for the GR5/GR53 route

       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