THE GR5 TRAIL – VOSGES AND JURA
SCHIRMECK TO LAC LÉMAN, AND THE GR53
by Les and Elizabeth Smith
2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY
About the Authors
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.
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
Summary map of the GR5/GR53 route
Route profile for the GR5/GR53 route
Why visit the Vosges and Jura?
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
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