In the footsteps of the 6 ungulates of the Vercors

Welcome at the Hostel Quartlier Libre gîte at around 2pm, near the Ambel plateau. Meet Romain, your nature guide, who will present the programme for your stay with a slide show on the great fauna of the Vercors, giving you an opportunity to learn more about the 6 wild ungulates of the massif: red deer, roe deer, chamois, mouflon, wild boar and ibex.

In the late afternoon, our first field trip will take us to the heart of the large clearings and forests of the Ambel plateau, a mountain pasture area classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, known for its open landscapes and remarkable biodiversity. This will be an opportunity to look for the first signs of presence: footprints, droppings, smears, etc.

Back to the gîte for a local meal, the perfect way to get this adventure off to a gentle start.

After the morning's preparations, we set off on a two-day itinerant hike. We'll head for the Fond d'Urle area, famous for its grassy slopes, limestone cliffs and sweeping views. This is a favourite spot for rock fauna, particularly chamois and mouflon, often visible at dawn or at the end of the day.

Throughout the walk, we learn to read the clues left by the ungulates: footprints in the mud, markings on the trees, sleeping areas.... Regular stops allow us to observe and interpret the signs of wildlife.

At the end of the day, we settle into a small Mountain hut, ideally situated for waking up in the heart of the animal world. The evening will be simple and convivial, with plenty of time for socialising.

We'll be continuing our walk along the southern ridges of the Vercors, which are veritable natural lookouts from which we can sometimes observe wildlife from a great distance. Along the way, a professional in the field (a shepherd, ranger or tracker) will be on hand to share his or her day-to-day experience of cohabiting with wildlife, an enriching exchange that gives meaning to the previous day's observations.

The route winds its way through high-altitude meadows, lapiaz and dolines, in a bright alpine atmosphere. If we're lucky, we may catch a glimpse of ibex or deer in their natural habitat.

We gradually make our way back down to the valley, arriving at the gîte at around 6 p.m., where this nature experience comes to an end.

🕞 Distances and times are given for information only and may vary according to weather conditions, the pace of the group or observation opportunities.