La Great crossing of the Jura on snowshoes, it is a beautiful winter route unique in France. It connects Métabief (Doubs) to Giron (Ain) by crossing the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, more than 115 km that it is up to the hiker to discover as he pleases.

As many think, the Jura Mountains lend themselves admirably to the practice of winter snowshoeing. A paradise for cross-country skiing for a long time now, the Jura landscapes are gradually being taken over by snowshoeing. The varied relief, but without any major drop, the harsh climate, make the Jura massif an ideal destination for family walks as well as for sports enthusiasts who will find there an initiation ground conducive to training.

Combining the pleasure of snow and the discovery of the natural environment, the route of the GTJ has been designed for optimal and safe practice of snowshoeing and to allow you to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the Jura Mountains.

The average speed of a snowshoe hiker being estimated at 3 km/h and sometimes less depending on the snow and weather conditions, we recommend stages of 10 to 15 km maximum that the hiker can cover whatever the snow conditions. snow. The network of GTJ accommodations allowing frequent stopovers, the GTJ racket is therefore possible for a large public.

Le Tour of the Retord Plateau corresponds to a loop of approximately 35 km in the Ain department. This route, not connected to the main GTJ route, is taken from the Plans d'Hotonnes station, the Col de Cuvery or the village of Poizat.

North end

Métabief (Doubs)

South end

Giron (Ain)

Minimum altitudes and max.

↓ 937m ↑ 1m

Elevation

3 100 m

Average distance per stage

10 to 15 km

Period

Christmas holidays → March 25 depending on snow conditions

Métabief ↔️ Giron