In Summer or Winter : alternative ways of crossing the Jura

What about going on a walking-tour? yes, but where? You need hesitate no longer: with the Great Jura Trails you have at your disposal more than 400 km of track-stretching across a huge expanse lending itself ideally to escape and discovery.

The first Great Jura Trail, known to the initiated as the "GTJ" was born in the 70s. Grenoble had just hosted the Winter Olympics and the first cross-country ski-trails were laid by specially adapted machines. In this general atmosphere, the GTJ Association created their own extensive cross country ski-trail in the Massif du Jura. It had its heyday in the 80s and even became a sort of myth. Since, its route has altered many times. Today it stretches along 175 km linking Villers-le-Lac in the Doubs with Giron in the Ain region. This original route now meets 4 other Great Trails on its way, each specially adapted : for snow-shoes (135 km), for cross-country bike in Summer (380 km), for walking-tours (400 km) and for cycling (360 km). These trails are worked out in stretches which can be covered several at a time or else taken at a more leisurely place, making a stop each day at a different place.

For this is the real purpose of the GTJs: these circuits criss-cross the impressive massif with its changing landscapes, but also make halts in the most hospitable of villages. These great crossings are not purely an escape into nature or for solo exploits : they are itineraries full of discoveries and encounters, with routes the trekker can make up as he goes along. The tracks and footpaths of the GTJ trails, planned with respect for their natural surroundings, are also an invitation to meet the Jura people and share a moment with them. You can sleep at the circuit-gîtes or in a hotel, a holiday-village, a mountain-refuge or even one of the camping-sites specially equipped for the trekker, of which 131 exist now. Whether excursionning as a couple, with a group or alone, you meet the local people and share their table garnished with the Morbier cheese gratin or Morteau sausage, roestis (potato-cake specialty) or michons ( local cheese-patties)… a delightful end to a day of physical exertion. And your hosts will be able to answer your questions about the territory you have crossed and what is of interest on the road ahead. Most of them being also ready to transport luggage or picnic hampers.

Convinced ? So why not start organizing your next Great Jura Crossing now? You have several options : all information relative to the type of itinerary which interest you can be found on the association's Internet site, together with numerous guides and topographical maps. You can also consult the trekking-ideas… circuits thought-out to provide you with… well, ideas! And if you prefer to have it handed to you on a plate, you can choose the all-in trip worked out by the creators of the trek, who are even ready to accompany you. Otherwise, on the snow-shoe circuit you can take an automatic guide-device linked to a GPS system with you, which digital companion not only ensures that you don't get lost but is also able to tell you that there exist not one but many types of snow… and that in Inuit-country there exist more than a hundred.

GTJ is an association with more than 160 adherents : accommodation providers, restaurant owners, trek-organizers, mountain guides, taxis, Tourist Offices, as well as the public and private structures which work to promote trekking in the Jura Mountains.