Wildlife watching

Deer rut listening and hiking in the Jura

September to October

3 days| 2 nights

Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Learn to recognise forest corridors, smears on trunks and feeding areas to gain a practical understanding of the behaviour of deer at the height of the rut, under the guidance of a guide with a passion for the subject.

Listen to the bellowing of the stag in the spruce forests of the Haut-Jura, in La Cure, a village on the Franco-Swiss border.

Climb to La Dôle (1,677 m) and, on a clear day, you can see Lake Geneva and the Alps clearly visible above the Jura hills.

Between days out in the great outdoors, enjoy the comforts of a bed and breakfast and share convivial moments with your group over a local aperitif.

Itinerary

DAY 1 / 3

Accommodation :

Guesthouse

D+ :

250m

Distance :

9km

We meet at 12:30 in La Cure, a village straddling the border between France and Switzerland, near Les Rousses in the Jura. After a short welcome and introduction to the holiday, we pack our bags before setting off on foot to the guest house where we'll be staying for the next two nights.

This first day marks the start of our immersion in the Jura mountains, characterised by vast spruce forests, meadows and mountain pastures.

Along the way, the guide will teach us how to read the signs of animal presence: tracks on the ground, smears on trees, forest run-off. We will set up a few photo traps in strategic places, where there seems to be regular passage. The aim is to check, without disturbing, for the presence of deer and other animals in the area.

At dusk, we went to an observation point near the accommodation to listen for the first time to the bellowing of the deer.

We then return to the guest house to share a mountain meal, in a convivial atmosphere conducive to discussing this first immersion in nature.

DAY 2 / 3

Accommodation :

Guesthouse

D+ :

600m

Distance :

10km

In the early hours of the morning, it's not uncommon to hear the bellowing of the deer in the surrounding forest. After breakfast, we set off on a day hike.

The aim is to get a good view of the massif. We make our way through the forests and valleys of the Jura before reaching La Dôle, the emblematic summit rising to 1,677 metres. On a clear day, the view extends over the Alps and Lake Geneva.

Throughout the walk, the guide helps us to identify the tracks and clues left by the fauna: footprints, food scraps, feeding areas. This approach provides a better understanding of the behaviour of deer during the slabbing period.

Depending on the size of the group and the conditions, shorter variations can be proposed. It is also possible to extend the route slightly to take advantage of an additional viewpoint.

Return to our accommodation in the late afternoon. After dinner, another listening session may be offered, depending on the activity of the animals and the weather.

DAY 3 / 3

D+ :

150m

Distance :

9km

On this last morning, we get up very early to take advantage of the best listening conditions and, with a bit of luck, observation. The first hours of the day are ideal for deer activity. We always keep our distance and take care not to disturb the animals, as the rutting period is particularly sensitive for them.

We then collect the photo traps set on the first day. This will be an opportunity to discover any nocturnal passages captured by the cameras.

After this final dip, we quietly made our way back to La Cure, where we left at around 3.30pm.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Rémi

Mountain leader (AMM)

Italian

French

English

Rémi, I'm the kind of person who puts my boots where the chips are. As soon as it thaws, I head for the cooler climes: the Arctic, the Norwegian fjords, the eye-popping lights. When winter sets in again, I come back to the Jura: I train trackers, I help out at the station and I set up my HQ in my base camp with a yurt. There, I take you on hikes, whisper my nature secrets... and treat you to meals that warm as much as the stove.

Find out more about Rémi

What's included in the price

Included

Guiding: You will be accompanied by a qualified guide with a thorough knowledge of the Jura massif and a passion for wildlife.

Accommodation: You will spend the 2 nights in a comfortable guest house in a shared room for 3 to 5 people (bed linen and towels included).

Meals: All meals are included, from the evening meal on the first day to the picnic on the last day, and will be cooked collectively, with everyone pitching in.

Equipment for stalking: camera traps, hiking poles, spotting scopes, binoculars, educational material (tracks and clues) will be provided during the stay.

Not included

The return journey to the meeting point.

Picnic lunch on Day 1.

Any personal expenses.

What level should you expect

Level 2

You should be at least 18 years old to participate

You'll walk 4 hours a day on trails and in the forest, with an average of 200m of ascent, including one day with a climb of 600m.
You set and retrieve light camera traps, remaining discreet and respectful of the animals.
You carry a light rucksack, no technical equipment required.
You will spend 2 nights in a comfortable guest house and take part in the communal cooking (no Meals service).

Getting there

Start: The cure (12h30)

End: The cure (15h30)

Transport

Do you want to avoid traffic jams and travel in peace? The train is your ally.

Recommended arrival station: La Cure
Alternative station: Vallorbe TGV station (1 hour's drive)

From these stations, we can organise a carpool with the other participants or recommend a taxi to La Cure.

Prefer the freedom of a road trip? You can drive straight to La Cure, the meeting point for the expedition. There is a car park on site where you can leave your vehicle for the duration of your stay.

Don't forget about car pooling: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure to help you make arrangements with other participants.

How to register

Step 1

Choose your departure date and number of participants

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.

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 accomodation?

You'll spend two nights in a comfortable guest house, in shared rooms for 3 to 5 people (bed linen and towels included). There are also bathrooms with hot showers to warm you up after a day in the great outdoors.

What about meals on site?

On site, we prepare meals as a group, with everyone pitching in: the kitchen is well-stocked, and the shopping will be done in advance by your guide.

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.

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Selected from 3 departures

From € 450 /pers.

Want to choose your own date with your own group?

Select Alma to pay in 2, 3, or 4 installments.

Hassle-free from start to finish.

Full refund if departure is not confirmed

Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure

Instalment facility available

Deer rut listening and hiking in the Jura

What you will experience

Itinerary

The guides who will lead your adventure

Rémi

Mountain leader (AMM)

What's included in the price

Included

Not included

What level should you expect

Getting there

Transport

How to register

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Your reviews

Frequently asked questions

How comfortable is the accomodation?

What about meals on site?

Will we see any deer?

Are instalment payment options available?

Can I privatise this expedition for my group?

What happens if the weather is bad?

What kind of people usually join Wildhartt expeditions ?

What does the price of a Wildhartt adventure include?

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