6-day tour without luggage on the GR53 - from Wissembourg to Saverne

5 (13 Reviews)

719 € 699 € per person

(13 reviews)

Book

Duration

6 days and 5 nights

Minimum

1 person

Level

Intermediate

About this getaway

La belle Randonnée: Massif des Vosges GR53 - First section - approx. 110 km

Discover the GR53 Northern Vosges from Wissembourg to Saverne on a 6-day itinerary. You'll encounter fortified castles and sandstone citadels on France's only "Leading Quality trail Best of Europe"!

This itinerary is available in 2 comfort and catering versions (see options).

Walk lightly at your own pace through the wonderful forests of the Vosges du Nord on an exceptional itinerary 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.

Practical information

For groups of hikers (more than 10 people), contact us for full-board rates.

All our itineraries can be shortened or lengthened, depending on your level and wishes, contact us for adaptations and prices.

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 pack at certain stages, when you'll be relaxing 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 Traces' control (closed sections, drought....).

This route runs from Wissembourg station to Saverne station.
If you are alone, please select the Single supplement option, including the option for additional nights on arrival and/or departure.

Year-round, depending on the weather, but ideal from March to November.

Program/Itinerary

It's a gentle start, so take the opportunity to visit the charming border town of Wissembourg. Then it's off on the 1st leg of our escapade from Wissembourg to Lembach via the GR 53. Passage over the Col du Pigeonnier, Pfaffenschlick and Soultzerkopf. Once in Lembach, you can visit the lime kiln, a former Maginot Line fortress. 4H30 to 5H walk excluding breaks | 15km | Déniv + 420 m | Déniv - 380 m

Continue on to the castles of Lowenstein, Hohenbourg and Fleckenstein, the jewel of the Northern Vosges (entrance fee included). Enjoy this magnificent route, more athletic than yesterday, winding its way through mixed forests and sandstone citadels. 6 to 7H walking | 19 km | Déniv + 600 m | Déniv - 550 m

This new stage takes you through the Steinbach valley, past Schöneck castle and up to the Grand Wintersberg (highest point in the northern Vosges at 581 m). Once you arrive in Niederbronn-les-Bains, you're free to visit this spa, renowned since Roman times, and enjoy the swimming pool and relaxing spa (depending on your choice of accommodation) 6H walk | 18 km | Déniv + 650 m | Déniv - 700 m

In pursuit of the red rectangle, you'll pass through fir forests, encountering astonishing castles and ending the day at one of the jewels of the Northern Vosges, the Lichtenberg, entrance included. 6H walking | 19 km | Déniv + 730 m | Déniv - 610 m

Today's program includes the Ochstenstall, a very special sandstone rock. Then you'll reach the small fortified town of La Petite Pierre with its castle, home to the Maison du Parc Naturel régional des Vosges du Nord. 4H30 walk | 16.5 km | Déniv+ 250 m | Déniv - 250 m

Off you go on your final leg, passing the Johannisthal rock and the Hunebourg castle, to reach the pretty town of Saverne, gateway to the Northern Vosges, in the late afternoon. Along the way, visit the troglodytic houses of Graufthal (entrance fee included) 6h walking | 21 km | Déniv + 500 m | Déniv - 330 m End of the first section of the GR53. Crossing the Vosges Massif. BRAVO! You've done it! When can we expect the 2nd section?

This price includes

5 nights in gîtes/chambres d'hôtes OR 3* hotels (based on 2 people per room).
5 breakfasts.
Transport of your heavy luggage (max. 13 KG per person) between the 6 stages.
The daily roadbook.
GPX tracks of the route with profile.
Entrance to Fleckenstein castle.
Entrance to Lichtenberg Castle.
Entrance to the Graufthal cave dwellings.
Detailed travel documents with addresses and telephone numbers of service providers
Traces 7/7 telephone hotline.

Plus

Repatriation insurance in the event of an incident.
Tourist tax for 5 nights (a few euros).
The outward journey to Wissembourg and the return journey from Saverne.
Picnics, dinners and extras (expect to pay around €30/€40 for a main course with dessert at a restaurant).
Additional options available on the site.

Level

Intermediate

Participants min

1 person

Frequently asked questions

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. 13 kg) will be waiting for you at the stage in the evening! A few snacks, bottle or flask of water (2 to 3 L/day, depending on the season/weather and your habits), small first-aid kit (disinfectant, blister plasters, painkillers, credit card + cash, survival blanket, whistle, Swiss Army knife or small pocketknife, your roadbook for the day, charged phone and camera.

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 a moderate, non-technical trail. There's very little elevation change on the 1st section, and not much altitude either (max. 581m). If you don't know, you can call us to discuss it, or check it out by taking 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.

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- 20 €

719 € 699 € per person

5 (13 Reviews)

Our trips are available on request for individuals or small groups, and on the dates of your choice.

Please allow 15 days for optimal preparation of your getaway.

Name of participants *

- Category 3* hotels with pool/sauna/spa depending on location (instead of B&B category), supplement per person for 5 nights(€80)
- Single supplement for 5 nights(€300)
- Supplement per dog for 5 nights (100€). The possibility must first be confirmed as some accommodations do not accept dogs(100 €)
- Customized wellness massage 1H (possible at certain stages), per person(€80)
- In Wissembourg the day before departure, additional night with breakfast included, in a 2 or 3* hotel, per person BASE 2 personnes(75 €)
- In Wissembourg the day before departure, additional night with breakfast included, in a 2 or 3* hotel, SINGLE(109 €)
- In Wissembourg the day before departure, additional night with breakfast included, in a gîte, per person BASE 2 personnes(55 €)
- In Wissembourg the day before departure, additional night with breakfast included, in a gîte, SINGLE(€59)
- In Saverne, additional night with breakfast included, in a 3* hotel, per person BASE 2 persons(€75)
- In Saverne, additional night with breakfast included, in a 3* hotel, SINGLE(109 €)

Total

719 € 699 €

Offer

Why book with us?

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation 30 days before the activity (except €40 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(more)