6-day luggage-free itinerary on the GR 53

Looking for adventure? Join Traces Vosges du Nord for a 6-day itinerant hike on the GR53 through the Massif des Vosges! From Wissembourg to Saverne, this 110 km route will take you through the majestic landscapes of the Northern Vosges!

Ride through the forests of the Vosges du Nord at your own pace, following the route marked by the red rectangle. Let yourself be guided by your daily roadbook, in the knowledge that your luggage will be waiting for you at each new stage.

Your adventure begins in Wissembourg, from where you’ll head for Lembach on the GR53. This first day of hiking will take you over the Col du Pigeonnier, Pfaffenschlick and Soultzerkopf, offering a perfect introduction to the varied landscapes of the Vosges. Once in Lembach, take time to discover the lime kiln structure, a vestige of the Maginot Line. Allow between 4h30 and 5h walking time for this 15 km stage, with a positive gradient of 420 m and a negative gradient of 380 m.

On the second day, continue your exploration from Lembach to Obersteinbach. Between mixed forests and sandstone citadels, this stage takes you to the castles of Lowenstein, Hohenbourg and Fleckenstein, with access included. Get ready for a 6-7 hour hike over a distance of 19 km, with a positive altitude difference of 600 m and a negative altitude difference of 550 m.

Day 3 takes you from Obersteinbach to Niederbronn-les-Bains, through the magnificent Steinbach valley. Along the way, you’ll discover Schöneck Castle and climb to the Grand Wintersberg, the highest peak in the Northern Vosges at 581 m. Once in Niederbronn-les-Bains, visit this famous spa dating back to Roman times. Allow 6 hours’ walking for this 18 km stage, with a 650 m positive and 700 m negative gradient.

On the fourth day, take the route to Lichtenberg/Reipertswiller from Niederbronn. The route takes you through fir forests, past remarkable castles, before leading you to the impressive Lichtenberg. This 19 km stage takes around 6 hours to complete, with a positive difference in altitude of 730 m and a negative difference of 610 m.

Day 5: La Petite Pierre! This shorter stage takes you to the Ochstenstall, a singularly shaped sandstone rock, before leading you to this charming fortified town. Here, you’ll be greeted by its historic castle, home to the Maison du Parc Naturel régional des Vosges du Nord. Get ready for a 16.5 km hike of around 4.5 hrs, with a positive and negative gradient of 250 m.

Day six marks your final stage, from La Petite Pierre to Saverne. This section will take you past the Johannisthal rock and Hunebourg castle, before guiding you to the town of Saverne in the late afternoon. With 6 hours’ walking and a distance of 21 km, you’ll tackle a positive altitude difference of 500 m and a negative altitude difference of 330 m, for a grandiose conclusion to your hiking adventure.

The program remains flexible to adapt to natural or logistical hazards, such as section closures or accommodation availability. The trip ideally starts at Wissembourg station and ends at Saverne station. For those traveling alone, the « Single Supplement » option is available to guarantee your comfort.

Your registration covers several essential aspects, including 5 nights’ accommodation in 2 or 3 star hotels, or similar, based on a double room. Also included are tourist taxes, 5 breakfasts, entrance fees for Fleckenstein Castle, Lichtenberg Castle and the Maison des Rochers in Graufthal. Luggage up to 15 kg per person is transported from one stage to the next. You will receive detailed travel documents, a daily roadbook, a GPX trace of the route, and access to the Traces Vosges du Nord telephone hotline 7 days a week.

In addition, please allow for repatriation insurance, travel to Wissembourg and back from Saverne, meals other than breakfast, and additional options.

So, are you ready to take the plunge? Let yourself be tempted by this total immersion in the Northern Vosges! With Traces, you’re guaranteed a quality experience. Book now!