What you will experience

Three days of immersion in the Petit Ballon massif with an experienced Vosges guide, to learn how to read tracks, decipher rubbing on trunks and understand the behaviour of deer at the height of the slabbing season.

A respectful approach to wildlife: tracking without disturbing, listening more than trying to see, staying at a distance to preserve the fragile balance of the mating season.

Two nights in a Mountain hut in the heart of the countryside, perched high above the peaks, with a shared kitchen and a volunteer atmosphere: an Alsatian dinner prepared together, the warmth of the stove and guaranteed mountain conviviality.

A stalk at sunrise, headlamp on and breath suspended on the edge of a clearing, followed by a mountain brunch in the Mountain hut overlooking the stubble fields to round off the weekend.

Itinerary

Sign up or log in to access this feature

1
DAY1/ 3
- Accommodation·Mountain hut
  Where we'll be spending the night
- D+·750m
  Vertical ascent
- Activity time·4-hour walk
  Time spent on sporting activities
- Distance·10km
  KM covered
We meet at 11am at Metzeral station. After meeting the group and being briefed by the guide, we set off from the station, where the route first crosses meadows and then rises gradually through forests and high-altitude pastures. The climb is steady and accessible, with breaks to take a breather and enjoy the panoramic views of the Vosges peaks. We take a picnic break along the way.

We pass over the Hilsenfirst pass, at an altitude of over 1,100 metres. This site, marked by the history of the First World War, is now quiet and little frequented. A few discreet remains are a reminder of this period.

The descent to the Mountain hut is swift and we arrive at our mountain hut in the late afternoon, well situated with a beautiful view of the ridges. After settling in, we prepare an Alsatian-style dinner together. The Mountain hut is run by volunteers: the atmosphere is simple and friendly, with a communal kitchen and a spirit of participation.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Martin

Mountain leader (AMM)

German

French

English

Between the vineyards of Alsace and the mountains of the Vosges, I grew up in the heart of an area rich in nature, tradition and character. I've always had a passion for the mountains and the outdoors, so I decided to become a mountain guide to help people discover these landscapes, their history and their secrets. Through authentic and friendly holidays, I share my love of the Vosges and the pleasure of experiencing the mountains through the seasons.

Find out more about Martin

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be guided by a qualified mountain guide who is a native of the region.

Accommodation: You will spend two nights in a guarded mountain hut.

Meals: All meals are included from dinner on day 1 to the picnic on day 3. Meals are prepared collectively, with everyone pitching in.

Loan of equipment: Our guide can provide you with sticks if you need them, small individual ground mats and tarpaulins for the blind.

Not included

Return transport to our meeting point.

Picnic on the first day.

Other personal expenses (snacks,...).

Everything not included in the "what's included" section.

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 12 years old to participate

You'll be able to walk 3 to 6 hours a day with 300 to 700 m of elevation gain on a variety of trails (meadows, forests, passes).
You sleep in a guarded Mountain hut and take part in the collective kitchen, but there is no Meals service.
You carry a light rucksack with personal equipment, warm clothing and a picnic, but no technical equipment.
You are prepared to wake up very early in the morning and stay still for minutes to several hours for the dawn stalk.

Getting there

Start: Metzeral station (11h00)

End: Metzeral station (16h00)

Transport

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally. Here are the connections you need to make:

Departure station > Colmar station
Colmar station > Metzeral station

Do you prefer the freedom of a road trip? You can go directly to Metzeral train station, the meeting point for the expedition.

Parking is available on site so you can leave your vehicle there for the duration of your stay.

Consider carpooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure so you can organize 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

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable is the Mountain hut?

You will sleep for two nights in a Mountain hut run by volunteers, in shared rooms (single beds) with sanitary facilities supplied by local springs. The Mountain hut is heated by a wood-burning stove (in the communal areas and dormitories).

Will there be showers on site?

Yes, there will be hot showers on site.

Are children welcome?

Yes, children are welcome from the age of 12, as long as they are accompanied by an adult and are used to walking.

Will we see any deer?

The aim of this expedition is not to see deer. We will be in an area where you can see many tracks, where you can try to track them, put yourself in their place, understand their environment and their behaviour. It's possible to see them if you're lucky and if you're discreet, but we're not going to try to meet them on purpose. We hope to be able to hear them, which is more frequent, but for obvious reasons of disturbance we will keep our distance if possible.

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 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 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 brea 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 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.

25% 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.

Discover other adventures

You might also be interested in these adventures

Track red deer through the forests of the Vosges