Grandes Traversées du Jura My GTJ

Is camping along a GTJ route authorised?

Camping along the six GTJ routes is authorised. However, a few precautions should be taken in certain areas:

in the summer: in the Natural Reserve of the Haute-Chaîne, camping is authorised very close to the shelters open for the public (La Vattay/La Vesancière/Baraque du Pralet/Chalet de la Côte au Nion/Chalet Bévy/Le Ratou/Chalet de Lachat/Chalet du Narderans/Le Tiocan/Chalet du Gralet/La Poutouille/Chalet de Pré Bouillet/Chalet du Sac/Chalet du Varambon/Chalet Bizot/Chalet de Sorgia d’en bas).
It is forbidden in all other areas.

in the winter: in the forests of the Risoux, Massacre and Haute-Joux, as well as in the Natural Reserve of the Haute-Chaîne and in Quiet Areas, orders on the protection of the environment apply. In those areas, it is forbidden to wander by any means beyond the marked trails.

For more information, please visit: http://groupe-tetras-jura.org/ and http://www.rnn-hautechainedujura.fr/

Can I buy food and drinks along my route?

GTJ routes regularly lead through villages where you can buy food and drinks. For more details on the shops open in the villages along GTJ routes, please visit Tourist Services or look on the relevant maps.

How can I return to the beginning of my route?

All GTJ routes are marked so that you can find a railway station near the beginning or end of your route, as well as along the route itself. Trains run through two regions and three departments, or counties, and are the easiest means of transport to go back to where you started.
For more information on the best means of transport to get back to the beginning of your route, please visit Transport.

Can I ride a hybrid bike on a GTJ mountain bike route?

Some sections of the GTJ mountain bike route may be steep and slippery with many roots. This is not the case for all sections of the trail, but we advise you not to ride a hybrid bike that is not designed for that kind of trail.

Can I use a Top25 map on the GTJ snowshoeing route?

If you have never used that kind of map on an orientation trail in the winter then the answer is clearly NO. Once everything is covered in snow, marks change, relief is not as sharp, distances are not evaluated as precisely, and hiking speed is reduced. Using a Top25 map in the winter without experience will be misleading more than anything else. The GTJ snowshoeing route is marked by yellow landmarks and flags. It is also marked on the trail maps of each cross-country skiing area. We advise you to use these plans to find your way. Just in case, you might also want to take a GPS, it might come in handy in case of doubts about a map you have downloaded or to know exactly where you are.

Is the GTJ skiing route designed for classic or skate skiing?

The GTJ skiing route is adapted to both classic and skate skiing. The trails are marked for both styles. Before you go, however, make sure you enquire about skiing conditions: classic skiing is usually easier no matter what the conditions are, whereas skate skiing requires more technical skill.