A group of observers out in the wild, scanning the golden mountains of the Écrins.
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A hiker admires the majestic Écrins mountains, between heaven and earth.
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A majestic bird of prey flies across a blue sky, a symbol of adventure in the great outdoors.
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An enchanting panorama of the Écrins, between majestic mountains and a peaceful lake, an invitation to adventure.
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The mountainous landscape of the Ecrins in summer.
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A man in a red jacket looks out over the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Écrins, surrounded by greenery.
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Alpine scenery in the Écrins, with green forests and mountains under a cloudy sky.
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A traveller on a rock, observing the wildlife of the Écrins with binoculars.
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Night sky with a crescent moon between silhouettes of trees, a promise of wild adventure.
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The majestic Écrins mountains, bathed in golden light, invite you to embark on a natural adventure.
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A tree-lined path leads to a wooden cross, with majestic mountains in the background and a serene sky.
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A climbing ptarmigan rests among the golden grass and snow of the Écrins.
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The green landscape of the Écrins, with majestic rocks and dramatic skies, is an invitation to adventure.
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A majestic view of the Écrins mountains, combining greenery and cloudy skies, a call to adventure.
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A group of observers out in the wild, scanning the golden mountains of the Écrins.
A hiker admires the majestic Écrins mountains, between heaven and earth.
A majestic bird of prey flies across a blue sky, a symbol of adventure in the great outdoors.
An enchanting panorama of the Écrins, between majestic mountains and a peaceful lake, an invitation to adventure.
The mountainous landscape of the Ecrins in summer.
A man in a red jacket looks out over the majestic snow-capped mountains of the Écrins, surrounded by greenery.
Alpine scenery in the Écrins, with green forests and mountains under a cloudy sky.
A traveller on a rock, observing the wildlife of the Écrins with binoculars.
Night sky with a crescent moon between silhouettes of trees, a promise of wild adventure.
The majestic Écrins mountains, bathed in golden light, invite you to embark on a natural adventure.
A tree-lined path leads to a wooden cross, with majestic mountains in the background and a serene sky.
A climbing ptarmigan rests among the golden grass and snow of the Écrins.
The green landscape of the Écrins, with majestic rocks and dramatic skies, is an invitation to adventure.
A majestic view of the Écrins mountains, combining greenery and cloudy skies, a call to adventure.
View 6 departures

Wildlife watching

Tracking Wolves in the Wild Écrins Mountains

January to December
3 days| 2 nights
Level 2
Eco-score 4/5

What you will experience

Three days of wildlife observation in the wild Champoléon valley, in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, in an area where the wolf is actually present and being monitored.
Guided by Marc, a passionate nature guide, you will learn how to read footprints, analyse signs of wolf presence and understand the impact of the wolf on the Alpine ecosystem.
Spend the first night in a cosy hostel, followed by a night in an unguarded, rustic and isolated cabin, to sleep as close as possible to wolf territory.
A meeting with a local player (shepherd, tracker or guard) on the last day to get a practical understanding of the challenges of cohabitation between livestock and large predators.

Itinerary

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DAY 1 / 3
Accommodation
Auberge
D+
500m
Distance
8km


DAY 2 / 3
Accommodation
Cabane non gardée
D+
450m
Distance
10km

After breakfast at the hostel, we set off on a two-day hike, spending the night in an unguarded hut. The walk will take you through forests, clearings and high-altitude meadows, punctuated by tracking workshops: recognising footprints, analysing clues left by animals, sharpening your eyes.


Picnic overlooking the mountains on the Coche plateau, then continue along open paths offering sweeping views over the Drac valley.


At the end of the afternoon, we arrive at the unguarded hut where we will spend the night, settle in and prepare a meal together. As night falls, a special outing to try and hear the howling of the wolf.

DAY 3 / 3
D+
470m
Distance
10km

After tidying up the hut, we leave for the last leg of the itinerary. A shepherd, tracker or guard joins the group to share his experience in the field and his point of view on the cohabitation between man, livestock and large predators.


The walk continues in a loop to reach our starting point at the end of the afternoon, so that we can end our stay at around 4pm.


NB: Walking times are given as a guide and may vary according to the weather and the pace of the group.

The guides who will lead your adventure

Guide Marc - Mountain leader (AMM)

Marc

Mountain leader (AMM)

FrenchFrench
EnglishEnglish

Hello, I'm Marc: mountain leader, nature guide and wildlife enthusiast. I've been running a donkey farm for the last 5 years, and have been leading groups for a few years now with my long-eared companions, whether for families, associations or groups of friends.

Find out more about Marc

What's included in the price

Included

The guide's guiding: Throughout the expedition, you will be accompanied by Marc, a naturalist guide with a passion for wildlife and an expert knowledge of the region.
Accommodation: You will sleep the first night in a comfortable hostel and the second night in an unguarded cabin.
Meals: All meals are included, from the first meal in the evening to the picnic on the last day.
Equipment: We will provide all the necessary equipment for wildlife observation (spotting scopes, binoculars, tarpaulins).
Equipment for the night in an unguarded hut: cooking utensils, stoves, cutlery and all you need for cooking.

Not included

Any personal consumption.
Transport to and from the meeting point.
Picnic on the first day.
Bivouac equipment: hiking mattress and sleeping bag are not provided. You must bring your own for the night in an unguarded hut.

What level should you expect

Level 2
You should be at least 18 years old to participate

Getting there

Start: Auberge des Gondoins (14h00)
End: Parking des Fermonds (16h00)

Transport

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You can take the train to Gap station and then travel to Les Gondoins by bus.


  • Departure station > Grenoble
  • Grenoble > Gap (2h32)
  • From Gap, take the last bus to Les Gondoins (bus 528).


Plan your most economical and eco-friendly journey (carpooling, train, etc.) with Tictactrip.

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Prefer the freedom of a road trip?


You can drive straight to Les Gondoins hostel, 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 to carpool: a WhatsApp group will be set up 10 days before departure to help you make arrangements with 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

What's the best time of year to spot wildlife?

Each season has its own attractions. In spring and summer, the fauna is more visible at higher altitudes, while in autumn, the bellowing of the stag and the gatherings of chamois mark the landscape. In winter, the snow makes it possible to discreetly follow their tracks. The guide knows the terrain well and will adapt the programme to offer the best chance of observation, whatever the period.

What is the average weight of the rucksack I'll be carrying?

The average weight of your rucksack is generally between 9 and 15kg maximum. With 10 days to go before departure, we set up a WhatsApp group with the guide and the rest of the group: this is an opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your equipment and to lighten your rucksack as much as possible so that you take only the essentials!

Will we see any wolves during the expedition?

It's possible to see wolves during your stay, but that's not the main objective of this expedition. Above all, we'll be following in their footsteps: learning to recognise their tracks and signs of presence, understanding their behaviour and their role in the Alpine ecosystem. The experience is designed as an immersion in a territory inhabited by wolves, to better understand their presence and impact, even without direct observation.

How comfortable is the unguarded hut?

On the second night, we sleep in an unguarded rustic hut in the middle of nowhere, with mattress and sleeping bag. Meals will be prepared collectively on a stove, in a real collective atmosphere. There are no conventional showers or toilets: here, we go back to basics. And that's exactly what makes for total immersion in the wildlife.

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 6 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

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