Vosges/Jura

[Ed]

Anyone been? Just been reading Steve's thread on recommended routes (above, in the sticky threads) and it sounds fantastic, but has anyone else been, and is it as good as Steve says? And - if so - where to stay?

[Luckypants]

Been, it's good! :cool: I do bang on about it, but the hotel Paris in Poligny is a gem in Jura. Trying to remember where me and claire stayed in the Vosges...

[STRAMASHER]

We had a choice of staying in Freiburg over ze border or Colmar. Stayed in Colmar. Nearer the hills. Beautiful place , although the (weak) cider you get is served in a cup. Weirdos. Unfortunately one of the choice roads we had planned to do was getting resurfaced so it was 40mph tops. Biker Resteraunt at the top?

Good for a long weekend. A week or more and the lure of The Alps would be too much. Scenery and roads dwarf the Vosges.

Likewise the Juras except everything less and smaller again. N5 was memorable over the hills to Nyon and seeing Lac Leman infront of you with The Alps behind is cracking. Pushed on to Annecy though.

Linking the two ranges over a week might be a plan if you think the Alps is a bit too far. Infact I would dump the Juras and do North and South Vosges and head back through the Black Forest on the way back. (B500/ Freiburg/ Titisee)

[Luckypants]

I concur with the N5 and B500! I have only ever passed through the region though, so have not explored in detail.
N5 was memorable over the hills to Nyon and seeing Lac Leman infront of you with The Alps behind is cracking. Pushed on to Annecy though.

A bit hazy, but you get the idea...

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w111/luckypants_photos/France%20Trip%202007/2007_0718FranceTrip0003.jpg

[STRAMASHER]

Nice pic!

I wish I had the forethought to stop near the top and get a pic ,before you dive into the pines but was getting giddy on my 1st ever stretch of Alpine (ish) hairpin action.

happy days.:)

[Ed]

I wanna ago!!!! Just checked, a 5 day return on the Eurostar is £22 each way, good campsite in St Die is €20/night:cool::cool::cool::cool:

Oh I wish I hadn't read Steve's thread!!!!

[Luckypants]

Nice pic!

I wish I had the forethought to stop near the top and get a pic ,before you dive into the pines but was getting giddy on my 1st ever stretch of Alpine (ish) hairpin action.

happy days.:)

Taken from a view point where the pines have been cut down :D. You will miss it if you are coming down quickly because the carpark is on the right immediately after (or on?) a sharp right hander. Having just missed a local lad on a sportsbike taking a 'racing line' (his head/my left boot on a right hander) I was taking it a bit easier.

[Luckypants]

I wanna ago!!!! Just checked, a 5 day return on the Eurostar is £22 each way, good campsite in St Die is €20/night:cool::cool::cool::cool:

Oh I wish I hadn't read Steve's thread!!!!

Campsite sounds pricey Ed. Any municipal sites in the area? They would be a fifth of that price!

[Ed]

There must be one but I only did a very quick search as I was about to go out. For €20 there's a heated pool and all sorts of extras which I wouldn't use.

Your pic is fantastic!!!!

Would anyone else like to go?...

[Luckypants]

Yes but it would have to be in the summer, already committed to a number of things.

[Tim in Belgium]

As has been said for a short trip the Vosges/Jura and Black Forest make a great destination with some good riding and nice scenery. Local cheap hotels FTW in my experience.