5 days 4 nights
1 person
Intermediate
Discover the second part of the GR53 and the GR5 in the Alsatian Vosges from Saverne to Barr in 5 days of baggage-free touring. Admire castles, waterfalls and breathtaking panoramas on France's only "Leading Quality trail Best of Europe"!
Walk lightly at your own pace in this wonderful environment of the Moyennes Vosges, with the Alsace plain and the Rhine in the distance. You'll be taking an exceptional route, following the famous red rectangle! The daily roadbook will invite you to cast off and immerse yourself in these magnificent Vosges forests for a guaranteed renaissance! Your luggage will be waiting for you at the stage.
To find out more about the GR53 and GR5, you can read this article on the Traversée du Massif des Vosges.
Equipment required: Technical all-weather clothing, suitable for the season and in which you feel comfortable trekking. A good pair of shoes (not new) and walking poles. A more detailed list will be provided at the time of booking. A bathing suit can be packed in your day bag at certain stages, when you may like to relax in the sauna or swimming pool after a day's walking.
Supply of a roadbook with details of each day.
Recommended reading: Topoguide GR Traversée du Massif des Vosges FFRandonnée and/or Guide ROTHER Grande Traversée des Vosges en 36 étapes by Thomas Striebig.
The program may be subject to minor changes, depending on the condition of the route, the availability of accommodation or other factors beyond the control of Traces (closed sections, drought, etc.).
This route can be taken from Saverne station and the return from Barr station.
If you are alone, please select the Single supplement option.
A supplement of €80 per person is charged during the summer period (July 1 to August 31).
A supplement of €10 per person is charged on certain public holidays.
Departure from the beautiful town of Saverne for the 1st stage to Wangenbourg. Pass through the 12th-century Château du Haut Barr, built on gigantic sandstone boulders. Cross the Devil's Bridge to admire the panorama of the Northern Vosges. Via ruined castles, observation towers, the Rocher du Dabo in the distance and finally the Col de la Schleif, you arrive at your stopover in Wangenbourg.
6H - 7 H walking | 26km | Déniv + 500 m | Déniv - 140 m
Continue on to the Schneeberg 961 m (snow mountain). Enjoy this magnificent route which takes you to the Nideck castles and the famous waterfall of the same name, the highest in Alsace.
5 to 6H walk | 18 km | Déniv + 510 m | Déniv - 720 m
On your way to the majestic stone gate, don't miss the giant sequoia and the grotte du loup. The Mutzig rock offers a magnificent view of the Alsace wool, then at the Col de l'Engin you leave the GR53 to join the GR5 coming from Holland. The summit platform and the Celtic temple of Le Donon give you a panoramic view of the surrounding area.
6 to 7H walking/ 23 KM /Deniv. + 1035m - 550m
A day of remembrance tourism at sites such as the Schirmeck memorial, which retraces the tormented history of Alsace and Moselle. After the monumental Struthof national cemetery, you'll make your way via the Rathsamhausen rock to the small tourist resort of Champ du Feu.
6 to 7 H walk / 23 KM /Deniv + 752 m - 410 m
Your final stage takes you from Champ du Feu to the beautiful wine-growing town of Barr on the famous Alsace wine route, passing through the Hohwald, the Pagan Wall and the holy site of Mont St Odile. An excellent stage on the way back to civilization.
6 to 7 H walk / 25 KM
Traces will provide you with a precise list of refreshment points on your route, according to your dates and days of hiking.
The lighter you are, the more you'll enjoy your day. Your heavy bag (max. 15 kg) will be waiting for you at the stage in the evening!
The trail is very safe and there are few ravines or dangerous areas, but a sprain or fall can still happen. Remain calm and, depending on the severity of the accident, call 112, 15 or 18. Notify the Traces Hotline.
Call Traces, or text us your location and we'll arrange for a cab (at your expense) to pick you up and take you to your evening accommodation. Be sure to mark where you are so we can tell you where to join a pick-up route.
The GR 53 is an intermediate trail with no major technical difficulties. When you join the GR 5 at the Donon, you'll start to gain height and a few vertical drops, but it's a very accessible trail if you're well trained. If in doubt, call us or take the test on the following link (Canadian site): https://chinookaventure.com/randonneur-es-teste-niveau/
Call us if you'd like to go hiking with your dog.
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation 30 days before the activity (except €30 handling fee)
Eco-responsible
Travel from station to station without a car
A unique hike
The only French trail to be awarded the "Leading Quality Trail Best of Europe" label
Member Since 2024
Very nice experience