Mountain Adventure Holidays
A fabulous week of trail running in the mountains of the French Jura now the venue for a major annual trail running event. The Jura, famed for its gastronomy, farming, stunning scenery, traditions and history, offers a network of varied running routes and is now the setting for the annual Transju' Marathon. Our trip beginning 25 May 2019 is timed to allow you to enjoy a week of fabulous running and have the chance to then compete in the fabulous Transju' Trail.
Our route passes through the Regional Nature Park of the High Jura while also taking in sections of the classic French 'Grand Randonées' of the GR5, GR9 and the Grand Traverse of the Jura. This great running route covers 115km's (72 miles), including some wonderful ridges and summits where we can view the peaks of the Alps.
The 'Jura' is north-east of Geneva, in Switzerland and crosses both French and Swiss territory. The Grand Traverse of the Jura (GTJ) was established in the 1970's and can be done on foot, cross country skis, horse back or mountain bike. Our itinerary allows you to get the most out of the daily trail run, but with enough time to enjoy the villages you pass.
We usually leave our accommodation by 1000hrs and arrive around mid-afternoon, running over rolling terrain and uphill walking on steeper ascents and descents. The duration does, of course, depend on photos stops, and rest breaks. We are running on good trails and the occasional road covering between 18-25km (11-15miles) per day. The route travels from east to west starting from Les Rousses, in France and ending near Bellegarde-sur-Valserine, close to the Swiss frontier.
Each year at the beginning of June the Transju' Trail running weekend takes place attracting up to 1,500 runners from around the world. If you have always wondered what it is like to compete in this kind of event then this is a great 'first' trail running event with a friendly atmosphere and a range of distances, from 72km, 36km, 23km, 10km and 5km - something for everyone! We have timed our first Trans Jura Trail holiday to allow you to join us for the week, then have two rest days, and then compete. Registration details are here. Go on!
REVIEWS!!! Our running camps have been joined by many keen sporty journalists including; Claire Maxted for Trail Running Magazine, Katy Dartford for Zest Magazine and Sport Sister and Susan Greenwood writing for the Guardian. To read these and more go to our News and Press.
Your guide will meet you this evening in the small town of Les Rousses, France. Les Rousses sits by a lake of the same name between the forests of Risoux and Massacre. Your guide will answer any last minute questions and brief you on the days ahead. Our accommodation is centrally located in Les Rousses with easy access to outdoor shops, banks, supermarkets, restaurants/cafes and pharmacy, in case you need any last minute items.
We begin our Jura traverse from Les Rousses heading west on the GR5/GR9, first passing the old military fort through the valley of 'Bief Chaille' in the direction of the Forȇt du Massacre. Our route is on good paths through rolling meadows to Premanon, the home of the French National Cross Country Ski school. Soon we leave the GR5 and follow the GR9 into the Forȇt du Massacre, we climb on good forestry trails to the Chalet de la Frasse,1293m (4241ft), where we break for coffee and cake! We continue to the summit of the Crêt Pela 1495m (4903ft), which is the joint high point for the departments of the Jura and the Franche-Comté. The Pela offers fine views of the Monts Jura and the Mont Blanc Massif. The rock type here offers the perfect habitat for alpine flowers such as the 'adenostyles' and the 'martygon lily'. We then descend on smaller footpaths to the Combe à la Chevre for views of the Hautes-Combes and the Haute-Chaine of the Jura. Then its onwards to good trails through the forest and down to the meadows of Lajoux. From Lajoux we can walk/run the final steps to the lovely 'Eco Gite' La Maison des Inuits where we spend the night.
Ascent: 600m (1180ft) Descent: 370m (1213ft) Distance: 25km (15.6 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
Lajoux is a traditional French farming village famous for it's local cheese and hopefully we will have sampled some before we leave! Our second day leaves the GR9 and continues on the famous Grand Traverse of the Jura, known simply as the 'GTJ', a route which attracts runner, hikers, bikers and skiers from around the world. At first we are running along quiet lanes and farmers tracks passing traditional farm buildings until we arrive in the small village of Les Moussieres, known for The House of Cheeses. We will stop here for a rest, and we can also buy the local produce such as: Bleu de Gex, Le Comté or Morbier. Perfect running fodder! We start again on country lanes to the next hamlet of Embossieux, and then finally onto La Pesse where we spend the night at a simple hotel.
Ascent: 390m (1279ft) Descent: 250m (820ft) Distance: 22km (13.7 miles) Duration: 4h00-5h00
We leave the peaceful hamlet of La Pesse and start our day by a gentle descent through the rolling meadows of the 'Combe Froide' which means the 'Cold Combe', and then into the woods to begin a steady climb. If conditions allow we will climb the Crêt de Chalame, 1548m (5077ft), a beautiful peak offering stunning views to the Alps, and the mighty Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Then it is on to the farm at La Berbois at 1289m (4227ft) for a break and a morning drink. After our stop we will skirt around the Crêt au Merle on wide forestry trails where we reach the historic site of the 'Borne au Lion' which was once a hide out for the French resistance fighters during the Second World War. A 'borne' is an ancient stone which marked the boundaries between different communes. We continue to a mountain pass offering beautiful views of the Monts Jura. We complete our day by descending to the quiet ski village of Lélex at 904m (2965ft) and our accommodation.
Ascent: 450m (1476ft) Descent: 600m (1968ft) Distance: 20km (12.5 miles) Duration: 4hoo-5h00
The next two running days offer trails along the Monts Jura, and in good weather this means first class panoramic views. Today we have our toughest day with plenty of ascent and descent to provide a reasonable challenge! However, this is a holiday and we will aim for a steady and enjoyable pace. We initially power walk and climb from Lélex on good tracks passing two mountain huts, Le Ratou and then the Le Loge, to reach mountain trails leading to the Grand Crêt on the crest of Haut Jura. A little more climbing soon takes us to the Crêt de la Neige at 1720m (5641ft), and then onto the summit of Le Reculet at 1718m (5635ft), which are the highest points of our traverse and the highest summit of the chain of the Franco-Suisse Jura. From here we keep our height and enjoy more than 10km (6 miles) of ridge running along the GR9, taking us along the 'Reserve of the High Chain of the Jura'. We drop down to the village of Menthières for our accommodation for the night.
Ascent: 1370m (4493ft) Descent: 1100m (3608ft) Distance: 25km (15.6 miles) Duration: 6h00-7h00
We start our final day with a steady warm up walk back to the GR9 trail and 'crest' of the Jura. We can soon start running again as we gain the summit of Crêt de la Goutte, and then the Grand Crêt d'Eau at 1621m (5316ft) where we have a superb panoramic view of the mountains and landscape we have passed through. This is the final peak of our classic Jura traverse, and where we begin our long descent to our final nights accommodation near Bellegarde at 550m (1804ft). Tonight we can enjoy a well earned celebratory meal and reflect on our 115km (72 miles) journey!
Ascent: 590m (1935ft) Descent: 1070m (3509ft) Distance: 15-17km (9-10.6 miles) Duration: 5h00-6h00
Today is your departure day. Please refer to 'Arrival & Departure' in the Trip Information section.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. We are painstaking in our research to give you the best option possible and one that is good value. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
Our trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender.
However, on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a single room as these are always limited in number. Please contact us for details.
On the Jura running trip there may be one or two nights which will be in more basic gite-style accommodation, where depending on availability dormitories might be booked - in this instance it's necessary to bring a sheet sleeping bag and towel - but we will advise you of this in advance.
This evening you will arrive in the bustling village of Les Rousses, in France. Our hotel in Les Rousses is in the heart of the village and is run by Virginie who always gives us a warm welcome. There is a little bar area, and the dining room is traditional and rustic. Dinner will feature local dishes, and breakfast is buffet style. The rooms all have en suite facilities. The hotel is easy walking distance to the banks, shops, restaurants, and bars.
Located at Le Manon just 1.2 km (0.7 miles) from the village of Lajoux in the Haute-Combes region the Maison des Inuits prides itself in being an 'eco-lodge' and for those wanting to be at the heart of nature it is run entirely on renewable energy. A sauna, cosy fireplace and living room await are available for relaxing where you can chat with like-minded souls also exploring the Haut Jura.
This evening we stay at the Refuge du Berbois, an idyllic spot set in the heart of the countryside. Le Berbois has been described as 'the rural dream', a popular haunt with nature lovers and musicians where you are encourage to pick up an instrument and join in! There is a warm welcome her and plentiful tasty local dishes. Accommodation ranges from bedrooms, to tipis, yurts and dormitories.
Throughout our journey our accommodation is often in the meadows and forests, and La Biolaz is no exception. A guesthouse with plenty of local character and rural charm will be waiting for us at the end of our running day. One of the great pleasures of a journey through the countryside is the chance to get to know the 'locals', and our Trans Jura Trail is no exception.
The Hotel Le Sorgia is a cosy village hotel which has been run by the same family for 5 generations. The Marion family have devoted their lives to the Sorgia since 1889 and over the years the restaurant has gained an excellent reputation. Only 2km (1.2 miles) from the railway station at Bellegarde-sur-Valserine it is ideally located for our final night in the Jura.
Arrival
The Jura is easily reached by road, rail or air. The easiest way to arrive at Les Rousses, France is by rail to La Cure just 3km (1.8 miles) away. La Cure can be reached from Geneva airport's train station - just 90 minutes away, with one change at Nyon. The small tourist train gently climbs up from Lake Geneva to La Cure, which is the Swiss/French border, and offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Lake and the Alps with Mont Blanc behind. Once in La Cure a taxi or local bus can be taken to Les Rousses or at certain times we will offer a shuttle bus service to your accommodation. Please refer to the Swiss Rail website for train times. The rail ticket includes municipal travel around Geneva if you have time to spare. For further details and a map on how to reach the resort please refer to the Les Rousses tourism pages - the local bus line to La Cure is the Estibus. The timetables change by the season but 'searching' for Estibus, La Cure will bring you to the timetable.
Departure
At the end of the tour we will transfer the group to the train station at Bellegarde which is a 5-10 minute transfer from the hotel. You will need to arrange onwards travel by train from Bellegarde to Geneva. Bellegarde is on the mainline TGV railway and it takes approximately 1h00 to get to Geneva airport. Alternatively, depending on group numbers, a taxi journey direct from our final hotel to Geneva airport takes around 45 mins and could the cost could be shared by the group. Please contact us if you need further advice on your specific travel requirements.
It is a condition of booking that you have appropriate insurance for your chosen activity, including emergency helicopter rescue, repatriation, medical costs, as well as trip cancellation/curtailment insurance in the event of you being unable to join/complete the trip.
Please read the relevant clauses which are numbered 10, 11, 11a, 12, and 22 and are set out in our Terms and Conditions.
We also recommend your insurance covers you for baggage loss/damage. Tracks and Trails Ltd are unable to accept responsibility for the loss or damage to any client equipment or luggage.
If you are booking on behalf of other people it is important that you ensure that insurance has been arranged by all others included in your Booking Form.
You should bring all insurance documentation with you at the time of the activity. If you fail to provide proof of insurance we reserve the right to ask you to leave the trip.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
Summer mountain weather in the European Alps can vary considerably, and in this respect it is no different to any mountain environment where the terrain influences the weather and it can change from valley to valley.
However, in the summer months it is generally good in the Alps, but it can deliver everything from glorious sunshine, to rain, fog, high winds and even snow. Temperatures can reach over 30°Celsius (86°F) in July and August, but can drop to 5°Celsius (41°F) on the high passes, or 'Cols' as they are known in the Alps. Essentially, as with all mountain journeys, you should be prepared for any eventuality. The average temperatures range from 15-25°Celsius (59-77°F) in the valleys and 5-15°Celsius (41-59°F) on the passes.
Even in mid-summer we can be faced with overnight snow especially when we have spent the night in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut at higher altitude.
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
After we have processed your booking we will send you a comprehensive clothing and equipment list that is appropriate to your trip and activity. There will be some items on this list that we strongly recommend and others which are suggested. Our list is based on our experience of what is needed for any particular trip, but it is not the definitive article! If you have items you like to use then do bring them, but be aware of over-loading your 'day' rucksack with items that are heavy and therefore making the trip more challenging.
Please contact us if in any doubt about what to bring.
For each of our trips there is a minimum number of guests required to book before we can 'guarantee' your trip will run. It depends on the particular trip in question, but it is normally 4. The maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £150.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides and instructors who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your guide/instructor has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment.
For our walking, family, and snowshoeing trips your guide will be a fully qualified and experienced International Mountain Leader. For our running trips your guide will be an International Mountain Leader, and an experienced mountain 'trail runner'.
If you have booked on a cross country ski trip you will be with a fully qualified professional BASI Nordic Ski Instructor or equivalent. BASI is the British Association of Snowsport Instructors.
On this point-to-point trip you will have luggage support which means your bags are transferred each day to the next accommodation and you only need to carry a small/medium sized 'rucksack' for items you might need during the course of the day. Please refer to the kit list for this trip for guidance on the size of rucksack required.
As your luggage will be moved along the route by taxi we ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Many of the taxi companies who move your bags impose a 15kg (33lbs) limit and restrict the number of bags simply because they have to unload and reload the vehicle many times each day. If you take more than one bag you may be asked to pay a supplement. Also with regard to weight be aware that you may have to carry your luggage to your bedroom, which may involve climbing several flights of stairs as not all hotels have elevators. Luggage on wheels is a good idea.
We do not include lunches in your trip fee for various reasons. We have found our guests have particular tastes and requirements for 'trail' or 'hill' food and it is better you choose and buy what you require. Buying supplies and trying local specialities is a great way to inter-act with the local people and to practise your language skills.
Lunches on our trips are 'picnic' style lunches, in other words you take a packed lunch with sufficient snacks, food and fluid to sustain you throughout your day of activity. If there is the possibility of lunch being taken at a restaurant/farm/cafe beside the trail, your guide/instructor will advise you of this.
Each evening you can choose to order a picnic or a sandwich from the hotel, or your guide/instructor will advise you of other options such as a local shop or market and whether you need to purchase items in the evening or if the shop/market is open early enough the next morning not to delay your start. In all cases we would always ask you to settle any 'bill' for lunch or drinks in the evening before you depart, and not on the morning of your last day when there may be a queue.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card. Some of our locations are an exception to this in particular Norway, where the accommodation will often have no facilities for withdrawing cash, but they will take a credit card.
On many of our trips we will visit remote cafes/farms where it is wonderful to enjoy a drink and a cake, at places such as these they will only accept payment in the local currency in cash.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance. Also note that if/when the UK leaves the European Union that the EHIC card may no longer be valid. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
Due to the specialised nature of our holidays, we co-sell a number of trips with 'partner' companies. These are carefully selected to ensure they reflect our ethos and standards in terms of the service we offer our guests. By encouraging other companies to sell our trips it means that your chosen holiday may reach its 'minimum' number earlier, allowing us to guarantee the trip and to give you the go-ahead to book your travel arrangements.
There may be occasions when our partners have helped book your accommodation and organise the logistics for your trip. On these occasions your hotel may have recorded your room reservation in the name of one of our partners.
We guarantee that companies with whom we work will offer the same package as Tracks and Trails Ltd. The price will be the same, though occasionally they may be operating in a different currency. Your itinerary and the items that are included, or not included in your trip fee, will also be the same.
We believe in team work, and enjoy working with other small high quality companies. If you have any questions about this policy please contact us and we will be happy to discuss it with you.
Prices may vary depending on date.
**If you would like to participate in the fabulous Transju' Trail on 2 June 2019 please note that neither extra nights, nor the entry fee are included. This is an optional extra, but we will, of course, be happy to book you extra accommodation if required.**
| From Price | £0 |
| Holiday Type | Trail Running |
| Duration | 7 Days |
| Group Size | 10 |
| Minimum Age | 18 |
| Maximum Altitude | 1720m (5641ft) |
| Countries Visited | France |
| Meet In | Les Rousses, France |
