My experience of the GR5, the path taken by the E2 across the Jura mountains, was much influenced by the April weather. Contrary to expectations this was tee shirt sweating hot for the first few days, then snow falling cold for the end of the trip. I was expecting cool (but above freezing) and wet weather. Accommodation was also an issue as April was caught between the winter skiing season and the summer hiking season, when those in the hospitality trade might take a break. Although changing weather was most of the reason for the change from sunshine to snow, altitude played a part. The first half of the trip, which included two days walking along the base of the narrow, steep sided Doubs valley, was generally at lower altitudes than the mountains of the second half, which were above 1000 metres. Apart from the two days beside the River Doubs most of the trip was through mountain forests and high cow pasture. There was more climbing than I expected, maybe because my guidebook neglected to give the total ascents for the sections described.
Waymarking was generally good with red and white stripes, but diversions of the GR5 from the route given in my guidebook and other sources of information were confusing. The Grand Traverse of the Jura or GTJ was the main long distance path being promoted. It had alternative paths for hikers, bikers, horses, snow shoeing and skis. These often also corresponded to the GR5. The final stage of my trip through Switzerland was not marked explicitly as the GR5 or E2, however the route followed yellow diamonds and signs marked to Nyon (or La Cure if you were heading north), with St Cergue as an intermediate point.
Link to start of blog is here
Link to start of Jura is here
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| Places were often closed in April. |
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| White and Red Stripes mark a GR route. The yellow and blue marked local routes. |
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