Discover the champion of our mountains, the Chamois!

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Meet the chamois on the "Hautes Chaumes" in the magnificent Vosges Mountains while being guided by a mountain professional in a place where the flora and fauna will not leave you indifferent. Many natural wonders capable of dazzling you!

Duration : 2h

Observation of chamois in their natural habitat with an easy approach adapted to the participants.
Departure from the Schlucht pass to reach the heights of Hohneck, with a professional, state-certified guide.
Appropriate equipment is required during winter or bad weather.
Level: All levels, accessible to everyone from 5 years old, but good physical condition recommended.
Basic rate for a private outing: €150 for a group of up to 6 people, with additional rates per adult, teenager and child.
Possibility of enjoying a mountain meal at the farm inn at the end of the hike.

On the programme

You will discover

During this immersive walk, you will learn more about the fascinating lifestyle of the chamois, true masters of the Vosges mountains.
You'll discover how these animals have perfectly adapted to the mountain environment: their keen eyesight allows them to detect movement up to 500 meters away in the dark, while their highly developed sense of smell helps them detect the presence of intruders even at great distances. Their hearing, meanwhile, is accustomed to human sounds, which facilitates a certain coexistence with discreet walkers.
Your guide will also explain how to estimate the age of a chamois: simply observe the rings on their horns, like the rings of a tree. These rings are more spaced apart in the early years, reflecting the rapid growth of young individuals.
Finally, you will learn how chamois adapt their diet throughout the seasons: they are fond of flowers and herbaceous plants in summer, but eat more modestly in winter thanks to their accumulated fat reserves, and nibble on holly, ivy and juniper to survive the cold.
Once you've recovered from the excitement of this walk, you can then enjoy a delicious mountain meal at a farmhouse inn to round off the evening in style! A friendly atmosphere and a great atmosphere will combine to surprise you even more and leave you with a truly memorable experience!

What are the adaptations of these animals to mountain environments ?

The chamois's eyesight allows it to distinguish movement nearly half a kilometer away in the dark. Its hearing is accustomed to the sounds of human activity, which favors cohabitation with them. Chamois, however, pay close attention to any unusual noise, and to detect whether there is danger or not, they use their most developed sense: smell. This sense allows them to confirm, in a favorable wind, the presence of intruders more than 500 meters away, which is quite exceptional!

Particularly fond of food in summer, chamois eat little in winter.

Related to herbivores, chamois feed on nutrient-rich herbaceous plants such as grasses and flowers like irises, daffodils, and gentians. Thanks to the long-term spread of germination, food is available to them for a long time. In winter, chamois have the particularity of drawing on their fat reserves, which they built up in summer, and feeding on whatever they find, such as juniper, ivy, or holly.

Family package: €120.00 (2 adults, 2 children) + €20.00 per additional child

Departure conditions and prices:

➤ Excursions are guaranteed with a minimum of 6 participants.

➤ If the number of registered participants is less than 6, the organizer may group several people together to guarantee the departure and optimize costs related to logistics, transportation, and organization.

➤ The excursion is available for private bookings upon request. The base rate is €150 for a group of up to 6 people, plus €25 per adult, €20 per teenager, and €15 per additional child. A preferential rate of €100 is available for groups of up to 4 participants, depending on the availability of our guide.

➤ For groups, we offer free admission for 10 paying participants.

Good to know

Included in the offer	Spotting scope and binoculars provided for professional observation. Organization and insurance fees.
Not included in the offer	Transportation. Personal expenses. Meals at the hostel (upon request). Personal equipment (shoes, clothing).
To take with you	Walking shoes are strongly recommended. Dark, warm, and windproof clothing.
Important information	Level: All levels. Physical condition: All physical conditions. No perfumes/deodorants.
Spoken language	French