Grande Traversée du Jura
 
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The GTJ runs from Mandeure to Culoz |
The Grande Traversée du Jura ( GTJ ; French for Great Jura Crossing ) is a 400-kilometer long- distance hiking trail in the Jura .
The path runs from Mandeure in a south-westerly direction. It partially coincides with the French GR 5 and GR 9 as well as the European E2 and runs along the main Jura ridge, mainly on its northwestern French side. However, there are several variants, and some of the route also leads to neighboring Switzerland . In addition to the footpath, there are variants for mountain bikers, for ski hikers and for snowshoeers. The GTJ leads over mountains such as the Mont d'Or ( 1463 m ), the Crêt Pela ( 1495 m ) or the Grand Colombier ( 1525 m ) and reaches its highest point in the highest Jura peak, the Crêt de la Neige ( 1720 m ). After 400 kilometers it ends in Culoz .
The trail was opened in 2003 and is not considered to be particularly technically demanding. The infrastructure includes several shelters and the option of being accompanied by donkeys as pack animals .