3-day summer hike on the north of the GR5
Clara, from the Wildroad blog, hiked part of the GR5 in the northern Vosges Massif.
A keen hiker and lover of the great outdoors, she shares her adventure and her greatest discoveries with us here.
Coming from the southern part of the Vosges massif, I've already had the opportunity to hike the Thann to Belfort section of this long-distance trail. To satisfy my thirst for adventure and to discover the northern part of the massif, which was unknown to me, I set off from Wissembourg, in northernAlsace and just a few kilometres from the German border.
The GR5: an itinerant hike in the Vosges mountains
What a joy it was, at the end of July, to be able to enjoy a bit of fresh air in this northern part of the Vosges massif - when the rest of France was on heatwatch. It was like a pocket of fresh air returned by the Vosges forests that stretch as far as the eye can see.
As soon as I left the station, I followed the direction of the GR5, marked by the distinctive sign of the Vosges hiking club: a red rectangle! These geometric shapes on tree trunks are essential for finding your way around the many trails in the Vosges massif, without them it would be easy to get lost.
Conquering pink sandstone castles
Pink sandstone is a distinctive stone in the north of the Massif, and I was able to see that here it was the main material used in the construction of the fortified castles that once defended the valleys. Although it was difficult for me to remember the correct pronunciation of each of them, I remember the Château de Fleckenstein the most. Open to visitors for a fee, I loved the maze of staircases carved into the rock where you play at finding the way to the keep, from which you overlook the medieval fortress.
As the afternoon light fades and the day draws to a close, the pink sandstone fortresses light up. Then, along the ridges, the forgotten keeps rise up, reflecting the golden light like an echo of the sunset.
Obersteinbach and the Wachtfelt natural arch
One of the highlights of my adventure was discovering the small Alsatian village of Obersteinbach. Perhaps the warm welcome I received when I checked into Antonio's hotel had something to do with it. Or perhaps it was the charm of this natural arch made of pink sandstone overlooking this small village with its fountains scattered around the corners of the streets.
It was in the early hours of the morning, after a 20-minute walk, that I was able to reach this window onto Obersteinbach. Off the route of the GR 5 trail, this remarkable rock - known as the Wachtfelt - is one of the detours we like to make when we embark on this type of touring adventure.
The heritage of the Vosges club towers
On my second day walking the GR5, I found myself at the top of the panoramic Grand Wintersberg tower, which, like the Wasenkoepfel tower a little further along the route, was built by volunteers from the Club Vosgiens.
Much more than just an association of enthusiasts, the Club Vosgien has my admiration for its ongoing investment in local heritage. I love the idea of people giving up their time to improve the signposting and offer a panoramic view of the Vosges massif!
Oh my üte! Shelter or work of art?
On the third day of the walk, I found a üte at the foot of the remains of Wasenbourg castle, overlooking the town of Niederbronn-les-Bains. These little red buildings were a welcome addition to my itinerary, providing me with a place to take shelter between showers and a source of information about the local flora and fauna.
Newly installed on the trail, the ütes also show the boom in hiking among the younger generation, who love this type of Instagrammable installation and are well placed for taking pretty pictures.
After counting the milestones that marked the boundaries of the feudal estates, I arrived at the fortress of Lichtenberg, which marked the end of my hike through the northern Vosges massif, which once again allowed me to recharge my batteries in one of the most beautiful forests in the Grand-Est.