What you will experience

Take on your first bivouac trek in complete safety, at the gateway to the Écrins: mountain pastures, ridges and 360° views, guided from start to finish by an experienced mountain guide.

Drop your pack and ease into bivouac life at the Clot de l'Alpe mountain pasture, among whistling marmots and alpine flora, for a stress-free first night under canvas.

Wrap up gently with a 360° ridge crossing over the Écrins, the Dévoluy, the Vercors and Lake Sautet, before an easy walk back down to the start.

A format built to reassure: moderate elevation gain, a light pack, a steady pace and a guide by your side every step of the way, for a successful first bivouac experience.

Itinerary

1
DAY1/ 3
- Accommodation·Campsite
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D-·280m
  descent
- D+·250m
  Vertical ascent
- Distance·5km
  KM covered
We’ll meet at 2.00 pm in La Salette-Fallavaux for a gentle warm-up. We’ll set off on foot along a path that climbs steadily towards the Clot de l’Alpe mountain pasture: the terrain is grassy, interspersed with stony sections and a few summer pasture terraces.

Along the way, we’ll observe the alpine flora and take the time to explain how to behave in the mountains, the walking pace and how to pace yourself. On arrival at the mountain pasture, we’ll set up camp and familiarise ourselves with the surroundings, particularly the areas where marmots are often spotted.

The evening concludes with a convivial meal prepared together, providing an opportunity for an initial debrief on the day’s events and instructions for the night.

The rest is for members

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The guides who will lead your adventure

Thomas

Mountain leader (AMM)

French

English

Spanish

Used to long itinerant journeys in complete autonomy, I would be delighted to share with you the most hidden gems of this small, little-known mountain range, far from tourist areas.

The experience of bivouacking allows for great flexibility in adapting the hike, giving us the freedom to follow our desires of the moment.

Find out more about Thomas

What's included in the price

Included

Supervision: Throughout your stay, you'll be accompanied by an experienced mountain guide who knows the terrain inside out.

Accommodation: You'll be sleeping in 2- to 3-person tents, which we'll provide – a chance to experience the joy of camping!

Meals: All meals are included, from dinner on the first day to the picnic on the last day. Fresh, locally sourced produce, meals tailored to the physical demands of the trip, and tasty breaks to recharge your batteries.

Equipment: If required, a mattress, hiking poles or a large rucksack can be loaned.

Cooking equipment: Everything you need for hot meals in the great outdoors (stove, utensils).

Not included

Return transport to the meeting point.

Personal equipment: sleeping bag, rucksack, clothes and walking shoes, to keep you warm through the nights in your tent.

Anything not explicitly mentioned in the "included" section.

The picnic on the first day

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

WHO IS THIS FOR?

You're a regular hiker looking to try itinerant bivouac trekking on accessible trails with a few exposed sections.

You're at the right level if:

You can walk 4 to 6 hours a day, with 300 to 700 m of ascent on average
You're comfortable carrying an 8 to 12 kg rucksack over several days
You're comfortable on varied mountain trails, including stony sections, balcony paths and ridge crossings
You're comfortable with a few exposed sections on narrow ridges, notably during the final day's ridge crossing
You're keen to discover bivouac life: setting up camp, simple meals, basic orientation, with the guide's support
You've already been on full-day mountain hikes; a first bivouac night is a plus

Getting there

Start · 14h00

La Salette-Fallavaux

End · 17h00

La Salette-Fallavaux

Transport

By train

Want to skip the traffic and travel stress-free? The train is your ally. You can reach Grenoble station, the closest gateway to the La Salette sanctuary:

Departure station > Gare de Lyon
Gare de Lyon > Grenoble station

From there, you'll need to take a private transfer to reach the meeting point, near the Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary.

By car

Fancy the freedom of a road trip?

Parking is available near the Notre-Dame de la Salette sanctuary where you can leave your vehicle for the whole trip.

Do consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organise this with the other participants.

How to register

1

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

2

Step 2

Book online by paying a deposit or the full amount directly. It is also possible to book by telephone by calling +32 460 25 61 85 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

If the minimum number of participants is reached, departure is confirmed!
If the minimum number of participants is not reached, we will give you a full refund.

Departure is confirmed 15 days in advance for adventures lasting more than 4 days. Departure is confirmed 7 days prior for adventures lasting less than 4 days.

3

Step 3

In the case of a deposit, the remaining amount will be debited from your account before departure.

Your reviews

The opinions of our participants who have placed their trust in us

4.7/ 5 · based on 83 reviews in this category

Denise H.

Guide très agréable, à l écoute des désirs et des aptitudes des participants. Refuge, accueil très sympathique, repas de qualité et très savoureux. Belle experience. Merci

Marie F.

Absolument ravie d’être passée par Wildhartt pour ma première expérience de trek/bivouak ! Notre guide Thomas était top, l’organisation parfaite (matériel, repas, logistique) La création du groupe Whatsapp en amont du départ est un vrai + Hâte de réserver ma prochaine aventure !

Christophe R.

Nous avons participé cet été à cette randonnée itinérante de 5 jours avec des ânes en famille, avec nos deux enfants de 8 et 11 ans, et nous en gardons un très beau souvenir. Un grand merci à notre accompagnateur, Romain, qui a parfaitement géré le séjour du début à la fin, y compris lors des moments plus compliqués. Il est très présent et prend en charge une grande partie des aspects pratiques, ce qui est particulièrement appréciable. Il faut cependant garder à l'esprit qu'il reste tout de même un certain nombre de choses à gérer en tant que participant, notamment lorsqu'on voyage avec des enfants. Le matériel fourni pour les ânes était parfaitement adapté et nous a permis de profiter pleinement de l'expérience. Quant au parcours, il était tout simplement magnifique, avec des paysages variés et superbes. Nous avons particulièrement apprécié le premier bivouac, qui se trouvait dans un cadre splendide, ainsi que la nuit en auberge dont le confort a été très apprécié après deux étapes fatigantes. Concernant les points plus mitigés, nous avons trouvé que le début du parcours était sensiblement plus difficile et technique que ce à quoi nous nous attendions au regard du niveau annoncé pour le séjour. La conduite des ânes demande un temps d'adaptation, et la combinaison de cette découverte avec des étapes de randonnée déjà exigeantes a rendu les deux premiers jours assez sportifs. Heureusement, Romain a su s'adapter à la situation en modifiant intelligemment l'itinéraire afin d'alléger la troisième journée. Cette adaptation nous a permis de récupérer et de profiter pleinement de la suite du séjour. Malgré cette réserve sur le niveau de difficulté du début du parcours, nous recommandons cette expérience pour la qualité de l'encadrement, la beauté des paysages et l'originalité de l'aventure avec les ânes.

Laetitia L.

Une randonnée magnifique, dépaysante, avec des paysages variés à couper le souffle. Grâce à Raphaël, nous avons pu voyager autant dans cet espace magnifique que dans le temps, grâce à ses explications sur la géologie de cet environnement.

Serge D.

Partis en rando-ânes en groupe réduit, nous avons pu bénéficier d’un guide exceptionnel qui par son implication, ses connaissances du milieu naturel et son expérience a rendu ce séjour de 5 jours dans les Cévennes inoubliable.

Frequently asked questions

Will we have access to showers?

No, on this trip we'll be sleeping in bivouacs in the heart of unspoilt nature: welcome to the adventure!

What will we eat on this trip?

Your guide has planned meals made with fresh, local and organic produce, showcasing the flavours of the region. Designed to combine authenticity and balance, they offer a moment of conviviality at the heart of this bivouac trek, accessible from level 2 onwards.

Is it possible to sleep alone in a tent?

It is possible to sleep alone in a tent, but as these are three-seater tents, they represent a constraint in terms of weight and bulk to carry alone. For greater comfort during the trek, we recommend that you share the tent with other participants to spread the load.

Are dogs allowed?

Unfortunately not, as the route runs through a protected area where dogs are not allowed.

Is there a precise list of equipment to take with you to avoid forgetting anything?

Once you've signed up, you'll receive a full list of equipment, tailored to this level 2 trek. You'll also have the opportunity to speak to the guide well before departure to ask any questions you may have and have plenty of time to prepare.

Are instalment payment options available?

Yes, that's right! At checkout, you can choose the Alma option to pay for your booking in 2x, 3x or 4x. All you have to do is select Alma at checkout and follow the instructions. It's simple, fast and secure.

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

Yes, all our expeditions can be privatised for a group already formed, on the dates of your choice.

To make your request, go to the expedition that interests you and click on "Privatise the expedition". We'll take care of the rest!

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

You don’t need to be a top athlete or adventure expert to feel at home. Most Wildhartt participants are between 25 and 60 years old, with a balanced mix of women and men.

Many join solo or in small groups of two or three. They often live in cities and are looking for a meaningful break — some time to reconnect with nature, slow down, and enjoy something real.

They usually have a regular movement practice (hiking, running, yoga...), but not with a competitive mindset. They’re in good shape, but don’t necessarily have technical skills. What brings them together is a shared desire to disconnect, observe, learn, and experience nature in a more grounded, accessible way.

If that speaks to you, you'll feel right at home. The group spirit is kind and open, and the pace adapts to everyone.

What happens if the weather is bad?

At Wildhartt, nature is our playground, rain or shine. Rain, snow or wind: our guides adapt the itinerary, activities and accommodation to guarantee you the best possible experience.
Unless safety is at stake (storm, avalanche, flood...).

In this exceptional case, we can cancel an expedition, at least one week before departure.
If this happens:
→ You can postpone your adventure at no cost,
→ Or receive a full refund.

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

At Wildhartt, transparency is essential. The price of your expedition reflects a clear breakdown of costs:

30% for our guides, the mainstays of every adventure.
35% for accommodation and meals, essential for your comfort.
10% for equipment and transport, to guarantee safety and fluidity.
24% for organisation and logistics, from first contact to the end of the expedition.
1% for the rewilding of Europe, a concrete commitment to give back to nature what it gives us.

Our priority: to offer you a quality experience, with complete clarity.

Do you have any questions? Contact us.

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What you will experience

Itinerary