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

5 (22 Reviews)

€899 per person

(22 reviews)

Book

Duration

6 days and 5 nights

Minimum

1 person

Level

Intermediate

The getaway starts now!

Travel light—we'll take care of the rest!

Explore the GR53 trail from Wissembourg to Saverne at your own pace! Accommodations are booked, your luggage is transported between each stage (eco-friendly transport), and a roadbook and GPX tracks are provided: make the most of your 6-day hike in the Northern Vosges, at your own pace and with the support of our local team.

From gourmet stops to a warm welcome and exploring local heritage

As you wander along the trails, discover fortified castles, pink sandstone cliffs, and Alsatian villages. After all that exercise, it’s time to relax! Savor the regional specialties, the warm welcome from your hosts, and the pleasure of a cozy night’s sleep, before setting off again after a hearty breakfast.

Packages tailored to your preferences

Choose from two accommodation and dining packages, depending on your preferences for comfort and fine dining.

Want to shorten or extend your hike on the GR53? We’ll tailor your trip to your pace (select this option). Groups of more than 10 people: contact us for a personalized quote, with the option of full board.

Program / Steps

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

Following the red rectangle, you’ll walk through pine forests, discovering amazing castles along the way, and end the day at your lovely lodging. 6 hours of walking | 20 km | Elevation gain: +730 m | Elevation loss: –610 m

Today’s short hike includes a visit to one of the gems of the Northern Vosges, Lichtenberg Castle, followed by the Ochstenstall, a very distinctive sandstone rock formation. You’ll then reach the small fortified town of La Petite Pierre, home to the Maison des Paiens and its castle, which houses the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park Visitor Center. 4.5-hour hike | 16.5 km | Elevation gain: +250 m | Elevation loss: –250 m

Let’s set off on your final leg, passing by the Johannisthal Rock and Hunebourg Castle, before arriving in the late afternoon at the charming town of Saverne, the gateway to the Northern Vosges. Along the way, visit the cave dwellings of Graufthal (admission included) 6-hour hike | 21 km | Ascent: +500 m | Descent: –330 m End of the first section of the GR53. Crossing the Vosges Mountains. WELL DONE! You did it! When’s the second section? Longer stages can be shortened upon request using the dedicated option.

This price includes

5 nights in bed-and-breakfasts OR 3-star 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
With financial backing from ATOUT France.
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 about 40€ for a hearty meal with dessert at a restaurant).
Additional options available on the site.

Level

Intermediate

Participants min

1 person

Frequently asked questions

TRACES provides you with a list of shops, restaurants, and places to restock along your route, tailored to your dates and hiking days. For your picnic, be sure to choose local products and reusable containers! In the Northern Vosges, leave no trace of your visit: take all your trash with you—even biodegradable waste—and sort it into the appropriate bins at each stop along the way. It’s a small gesture to help preserve the magnificent landscapes you’re passing through!

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; however, a sprain or a fall can still happen. Stay calm, and depending on the severity, call 112 and your insurance company. Notify the Traces Hotline.

Call Traces, or send us a WhatsApp message with your location, and we’ll arrange for a taxi (at your expense) to pick you up wherever it’s accessible and take you to your lodging for the night. Be sure to pinpoint your exact location so we can tell you where to go to meet the taxi.

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/

Of course, your four-legged friend can enjoy the adventure too! Hotels are generally more accommodating toward dogs than bed-and-breakfasts, where other animals may live. Be sure to let us know when you make your reservation so we can select suitable accommodations (see the option when you book). Bring their food bowl, water, and some kibble for the day—we’ll transport the rest of their belongings along with your luggage!

Be sure to fill your water bottles before each outing and plan on 1.5 to 2 liters of water per person—more if it’s hot. Along your route, look for the Water Bottle Refill Stations in the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park —partner establishments that welcome hikers to fill their water bottles with drinking water for free. It’s a simple way to hike light while reducing plastic bottle waste!

Pack technical clothing suitable for the season and all weather conditions, hiking boots you’ve already broken in, and hiking poles. A comfortable backpack is all you need for your daily essentials, since we’ll transport your luggage between stops. A quick tip: pack a swimsuit! Some accommodations have a pool or sauna. A detailed packing list will be provided before your departure.

The GR53 is also a journey through history! Our itinerary includes visits to must-see historic sites in the Northern Vosges. Depending on how many photo stops you make, plan on spending between 15 and 30 minutes at the rock-cut houses of Graufthal, and about an hour at Lichtenberg Castle and Fleckenstein Castle. These cultural stops are an integral part of your adventure: take the time to discover the region’s treasures between hiking stages!

The GR53 can be hiked year-round, depending on weather conditions, but we particularly recommend the period from March through November. Each season offers a different atmosphere: lush green forests in the spring, the cool shade of the woods in the summer, and magnificent fall colors. However, in the fall, we share the forest with hunters, which may affect your route.

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€899 per person

5 (22 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, 1 hour (available at certain stages), per person (€90)
- 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 night before departure, an additional night with breakfast included at a 2- or 3-star hotel, SINGLE (€115)
• In Wissembourg the night before departure, an additional night’s stay with breakfast included, in a guesthouse, per person (based on 2 people) (€65)
• In Wissembourg the night before departure, an additional night’s stay with breakfast included, in a guesthouse, SINGLE (€69)
- In Saverne, additional night with breakfast included, in a 3* hotel, per person BASE 2 persons(€75)
• In Saverne, an extra night with breakfast included at a 3-star hotel, SINGLE (€119)
• Itinerary change, price per person (plus any additional transportation costs to be determined) (30 €)

Total

899 €

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)