250 m500 m750 m1,000 m1,250 m1,500 m1,750 m0 km50 km100 km150 km200 km250 km300 km350 km1234567891011121314151617181920High point 1,711 m
Elevation profile: from 305 m to 1,705 m over 399.7 km.
The GR509 at a glance
The GR509 is the name of the Grande Traversée du Jura on foot, the walking GTJ. It covers the entire Jura massif from north to south, from Mandeure, near Montbéliard, in the Doubs, to Culoz, in the Ain, on the banks of the Rhône. Its route largely follows those of the GR5 and the GR9, and its official start is now at the Gallo-Roman theatre in Mandeure.
The route begins with the Doubs gorges, along the Swiss border: the Lac de Biaufond, the Échelles de la Mort ladders and the Saut du Doubs. It then reaches the Haut-Doubs and the Fort de Joux, near Pontarlier, then the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, with its lakes, its great forests of the Risoux and the Massacre, its flower-filled combes and villages such as Lajoux and La Pesse. The final part follows the Haute Chaîne du Jura and passes over the Crêt de la Neige (1,720 m), the highest point of the massif, before reaching Culoz.
A mid-mountain route with no high altitude, the GR509 lends itself as well to a long trek as to sections of a few days. The overall length, a few ladder sections and possible snow on the heights early and late in the season nevertheless call for good preparation. A network of accommodation providers used to hikers on multi-day walks, run by the Grandes Traversées du Jura association, makes planning easier.
Highlights
A complete crossing of the Jura massif, from the Doubs gorges to the banks of the Rhône.
The Doubs gorges, with the Saut du Doubs, the Lac de Biaufond and the Échelles de la Mort ladders.
The lakes, forests and flower-filled combes of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park.
The ridges of the Haute Chaîne du Jura, up to the Crêt de la Neige, the highest point of the massif.
A network of accommodation dedicated to the GTJ, with packed lunches and luggage transfers available.
Several railway stations in the massif, such as Pontarlier, Morez and Saint-Claude, for walking in sections.
Practical information
Start
Mandeure
Mandeure can be reached by bus from Montbéliard (Montbéliard–Mandeure line on the evolity network). Montbéliard is served by TER trains, and Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station serves the area.
Finish
Culoz
Culoz has a TER station. Taxis also serve the area for journeys to neighbouring villages.
When to go
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From Mandeure to Villers-le-Lac, the trail can be walked from April. The whole route can be walked from May to October, depending on the snow cover above 1,000 m.
Difficulty
Challenging
Mid-mountain terrain with no great altitude, but a long route, a few ladders in the Doubs gorges and demanding days on the ridges.
Accommodation
10 refuges, 12 gîtes, 12 unstaffed huts and 18 B&Bs
The Grandes Traversées du Jura association brings together a network of accommodation providers (gîtes, hotels, B&Bs, campsites) listed on an accommodation map updated every year. Opening dates vary from one establishment to another: book ahead. Some providers prepare a packed lunch and carry luggage to the next stage, on request.
Rules to know
Bivouacking is forbidden in the Risoux, Massacre and Haute-Joux forests, as well as in the municipality of Bellefontaine. In the Haute Chaîne du Jura National Nature Reserve, it is only allowed without shelter (no tent or tarp), less than 20 m from the path and away from pastures; elsewhere, for only one night per site, with the owner’s consent on private land. Dogs are banned in the nature reserve, between Lélex and Bellegarde-sur-Valserine; in the Risoux and Massacre forests, they are only allowed on a lead from 1 July to 14 December. No fires in the forest or within 200 m of a forest, except in designated areas.
Water and supplies
The massif is karstic and surface water is scarce: fill your bottles at accommodation, in villages or at cemeteries, and filter then treat any water taken from the wild. The association advises carrying at least one and a half litres per day. The route runs along the Swiss border in places: a European Health Insurance Card is useful.
The GR509 on the map
The 20 stages
TrekGR stage plan: each stage ends where you can sleep. Actual walking time excluding breaks (DIN 33466 standard).
No current alerts for this GR (checked on 12 November 2026). All live updates →
Our advice
Book your stages in advance using the GTJ accommodation map.
If you suffer from vertigo, avoid the Échelles de la Mort ladders by taking the paths on the Swiss side.
With a dog, bypass the nature reserve via the GRP Grand Tour de la Valserine, from the Borne au Lion to the Plateau de Retord.
Early or late in the season, check the snow cover on the ridges before setting off.
Ask your accommodation for a packed lunch for days with no shops.
Fill up with water in every village, as springs are rare on this limestone massif.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the GR509 start and finish?
The official start is at the Gallo-Roman theatre in Mandeure, near Montbéliard, in the Doubs. The finish is at Culoz, in the Ain.
What is the link between the GR509 and the GR5?
GR509 is the number of the Grande Traversée du Jura on foot. Its route largely follows the GR5 and the GR9 to cross the massif from north to south.
Can you bivouac on the GTJ on foot?
Yes, but not everywhere: bivouacking is forbidden in the Risoux, Massacre and Haute-Joux forests and at Bellefontaine, and it is only allowed without a tent in the Haute Chaîne du Jura nature reserve. Details on the practical information page for the GTJ on foot.
Can you walk the GR509 with a dog?
Yes, provided you bypass the Haute Chaîne du Jura nature reserve, where dogs are banned, via the GRP Grand Tour de la Valserine. In the Risoux and Massacre forests, they must be kept on a lead from 1 July to 14 December and are banned for the rest of the year.
When should you walk the GR509?
From May to October for the whole route, depending on snow cover on the heights. The northern part, from Mandeure to Villers-le-Lac, can be walked from April.
How do you get to Mandeure and Culoz by public transport?
Train to Montbéliard then bus to Mandeure at the start; Culoz has a TER station at the finish. The GTJ’s Transport page also lists the stations and coaches in the massif.
Route: OpenStreetMap contributors. Elevation: IGN’s RGE ALTI®, one point every 50 m. Text checked on 10 November 2026.
