Grande Traversée du Jura on foot: From Culoz to La Borne au Lion
ChampfromierA propos
This Grande Randonnée (GR®) trail runs through the Jura Mountains from Mandeure, near Montbéliard in the Doubs in the north, through the Jura to Culoz in the Ain in the south.
The GTJ crosses the entire Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, with a foray into neighbouring Switzerland. Inaugurated in 2004, the GTJ on foot follows the Grande Randonnée GR® 5 and GR® 9 trails, as well as the GR® de Pays.
With the Grande Traversée du Jura on foot, lovers of nature and wide-open spaces will experience intense moments in a gentle mountain environment. Undulating over ridges, spanning cluses, emerging from a forest to skirt a lake, this is a gentle itinerary with no particular difficulties, taking in the most beautiful paths in the Jura Mountains.
Accessible to all, it offers a total of 400 km of trails and a multitude of different landscapes and atmospheres.
To meet every hiker's needs, the trail can be adapted to suit every taste: from 2 to 3-day hikes well-suited to families, to walks for hikers in search of rejuvenation, to more physically demanding hikes, and why not ... the complete route, to be completed in 15 or 20 days.
The route runs through the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, and part of it passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve: a protected, unspoilt area that should be explored with respect.
Good to know - Protected area
Part of the route passes through the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, which is subject to special regulations:
Dogs are not allowed, even on a lead.
Camping in tents is prohibited.
Please respect these rules to preserve the richness of this exceptional environment.
Infos générales
- Dénivellation positive : 4222m
- Dénivellation négative : 3169m
- Précision balisage : The marking of the GTJ on foot complies with the national marking charter drawn up by the Fédération Française de Randonnée. As such, the GTJ benefits from the GR® designation - sentier de grande randonnée - with its famous white and red markings. Directional signposts are gradually being installed at the main crossroads. They can bear both the GR® marking and the GTJ pedestrian visual. The maintenance and marking of long-distance footpaths is the responsibility of the Comités Départementaux de Randonnée Pédestre. The latter sign agreements with hiking associations or, in some cases, with the trail maintenance departments of communes, communities of communes or tourist offices.
- Altitude moyenne : 1300
- Distance : 96km
- Durée itinérance : 20 jour(s)
Complément accueil
▶ This route crosses the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve. Please respect the regulations. The rules include the following: Dogs are strictly forbidden, even on a lead. Plant picking and mineral collecting are also prohibited. ▶ Before setting off : Check the general and local weather forecast, and make sure there's no precipitation. Find out about the approach route, the height of the itinerary, the time it will take to complete the climb, and any possible escapes (IGN map, GPS, topo-guide, etc.). Evaluate possible risks by asking mountain professionals, mountain huts and gîtes. Inform someone close to you of your objective, and contact them again in the event of any changes: departure and return times, number of participants with telephone numbers for each, vehicle(s), parking, etc. Avoid setting off alone, and use equipment that is suitable for the activity, adjusted and in good condition: headlamp, complete first-aid kit, survival blanket, etc. In the event of a problem, call 112 (European emergency number). ▶ The Patou or guard dog: what attitude should you adopt? When out hiking, it's not uncommon to come across flocks of sheep or goats guarded by guard dogs known as patous. These dogs, formidable against predators such as wolves, bears and lynxes, can frighten hikers with their barking. The patou protects flocks in total autonomy. Its main role is to deter intruders and alert the shepherd. Raised among the ewes from an early age, he learns to protect them at all times, often in groups. ▶ To avoid problems with a patou: Identify grazing areas before setting off. Keep your distance and go around flocks if possible. In the event of an encounter, stay calm, turn back slowly or stop to let the dog sniff you out. Don't try to pet or feed the animals, avoid sudden movements, don't run, and avoid taking photos. ▶ For runners: Do not run when approaching a herd. Take off your headphones to hear the dog's barking. By adopting these behaviors, you'll be able to cohabit serenely with guard dogs on your hikes.
