The northern part of the Vosges Massif Traverse, the GR53 follows the Club vosgien’s red rectangle from forest to castle, from the German border to the foot of the Donon.
164 km 101.9 mi9 stages5,200 m 17,060 ft ascentHigh point 1,004 m 3,294 ftWissembourg → Col de l'Engin
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Elevation profile: from 160 m to 1,004 m over 163.7 km.
The GR53 at a glance
The GR53 forms the northern part of the Vosges Massif Traverse, the route created by the Club vosgien in 1897. According to the Club vosgien, this section was approved as a GR in 1950. It starts in Wissembourg, on the German border, and heads south to the Col de l’Engin, at the foot of the Donon, where the GR5 takes over towards the Territoire de Belfort. The whole route follows the Club vosgien’s red rectangle, an exception to the white-and-red GR waymarking provided for by an agreement with the FFRandonnée.
Most of the route crosses the Northern Vosges Regional Nature Park, designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve. There the path winds through forest, between pink sandstone rocks and ruined fortified castles: the Fleckenstein, Lichtenberg, La Petite-Pierre, then the Château des Rohan in Saverne. The remains of the Lauter lines above Wissembourg, the tower on the Grand Wintersberg and the Pfaffenfels rocks also punctuate the walk. After Wangenbourg, the last stage in the Northern Vosges, the GR53 climbs to the heights leading to the Donon massif.
This low- and mid-mountain GR keeps the daily height gain moderate, but the forest paths are sometimes rocky and the stages often long: good physical fitness is recommended. It can be walked in one go or in sections, thanks to the stations at Wissembourg, Niederbronn-les-Bains, Wingen-sur-Moder or Saverne. The Park also provides bivouac areas along the path.
Highlights
The Club vosgien’s red rectangle, the historic waymark of the Vosges Massif Traverse.
The fortified castles of the Northern Vosges, from the Fleckenstein to Lichtenberg and La Petite-Pierre.
The pink sandstone rocks and forest atmosphere of a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
Saverne and its Château des Rohan, halfway along.
Stations at Wissembourg, Niederbronn-les-Bains, Wingen-sur-Moder and Saverne for walking in sections.
The junction with the GR5 at the foot of the Donon, to continue the traverse of the massif southwards.
Practical information
Start
Wissembourg
Wissembourg station is served by TER trains from Strasbourg and by German Deutsche Bahn trains. Coaches on the Fluo Grand Est regional network stop outside the station.
Finish
Col de l'Engin
The Col de l’Engin is in the forest, at the foot of the Donon. The simplest option is to continue on the GR5 to Schirmeck, in the Bruche valley, where Schirmeck - La Broque station is served by TER trains from Strasbourg.
When to go
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The FFRandonnée recommends the period from May to October. From June to September, the days are long and temperatures pleasant; September and October bring the fall colors, but refuges and inns gradually close from mid-September.
Difficulty
Moderate
A low- and mid-mountain route with moderate height gain, on forest paths that are sometimes rocky. The stages are often long: good physical fitness is recommended.
Hotels, B&Bs, gîtes and refuges are spread across the stage villages. The Northern Vosges Park is developing designated bivouac areas along the GR53, such as the one at Erckartswiller, between Lichtenberg and La Petite-Pierre, where booking is compulsory. Out of season, check opening times: refuges and inns gradually close from mid-September.
Rules to know
In the Northern Vosges, dogs must be kept on a leash; in the forest, a lead is compulsory off the forest tracks from April 15 to June 30, and some protected areas are off-limits to dogs, even on a leash. The Park asks walkers to stay on the waymarked paths, respect wildlife quiet zones and choose nights in refuges or with local hosts. Since late August 2026, the Club vosgien has reported a diversion of the GR53 south of Obersteinbach, between the village wash house and the Gabelfels, announced for six months: follow the signs on site.
Water and supplies
The path stays almost entirely in the forest, between villages where you can stock up: the stages suggested by the Park end at Obersteinbach, Niederbronn-les-Bains, Lichtenberg, La Petite-Pierre, Saverne and then Wangenbourg. Take an IGN map or a navigation app that works offline.
The GR53 on the map
The 9 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
GR53 dans les Vosges du Nord : déviation au sud d'Obersteinbach, entre le lavoir et le Gabelfels, annoncée pour six mois depuis août 2026. Suivez la signalisation.
Follow the Club vosgien’s red rectangle, without confusing it with the other waymarks of the network that cross it.
Check the Club vosgien’s disruption notices before setting off, especially for the Obersteinbach area.
Book the Park’s bivouac areas in advance, such as the one at Erckartswiller.
In September and October, check the opening dates of refuges and inns.
Allow time to visit the castles along the way, such as the Fleckenstein or Lichtenberg.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the GR53 start and finish?
It starts in Wissembourg, on the German border, and ends at the Col de l’Engin, in the Moselle, at the foot of the Donon, where it joins the GR5. MonGR presents it from Wissembourg to the Col de l’Engin; the Club vosgien refers to the section from Wissembourg to the Donon.
How is the GR53 waymarked?
The GR53 is waymarked with the Club vosgien’s red rectangle along its entire length. This historic waymarking departs from the white and red of the GRs, under an agreement between the FFRandonnée and the Club vosgien.
When is the best time to walk the GR53?
From May to October. Summer offers long days; fall is more colorful, but refuges and inns gradually close from mid-September.
Is the GR53 currently diverted?
Yes, south of Obersteinbach: according to the Club vosgien notice of August 21, 2026, the GR53 remains diverted for six months between the Obersteinbach wash house and the Gabelfels, an area considered very dangerous. Follow the alternative routes indicated and do not cross the marker tape.
Can you bivouac on the GR53?
The Northern Vosges Park provides bivouac areas along the GR53, which must be booked, such as the one at Erckartswiller. It also recommends choosing refuges and staying with local hosts, and respecting wildlife quiet zones.
How do you get to the GR53 by train?
Wissembourg, at the start, is linked to Strasbourg by TER trains. Along the way, the stations at Niederbronn-les-Bains, Wingen-sur-Moder and Saverne let you start or stop walking; at the end, you reach Schirmeck - La Broque station via the GR5.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on November 12, 2026.
