watch the teaser
Wilderness Etiquette:
Respectful Camping Beneath the Stars
Climbing in Harmony:
Tips for Outdoor Ascents
Mindful Waterways:
Paddling Through Mountain Majesty
Footprints of Respect:
Exploring the Mountains with Care
Mountain Biking Wisdom:
Ride Responsibly, Preserve Nature
Click on the icons to read more
In summer the mountains offer seemingly endless opportunities of activities, but let’s also be cautious. Wildlife, is vulnerable, especially during breeding season, and our actions can harm the Alpine environment.
So, let’s enjoy the mountains in a responsible way, mindful of our impact on nature.
Responsible Mountain Enjoyment:
Mindful of Nature's Vulnerability
Sharing Trails with Grazing Herds
Witnessing Alpine Sunrises Responsibly
Preserve Alpine Waters: Choose Shade over Splash
Happy Trails, Happy Tails - Respectful Hiking with your Furry Friend
Keep the Mountains Clean
Stay on Track
Exploring the Mountains Sustainable: Embrace Public Transport
How to use a nature Toilet in the mountains
Safeguarding Mountain Wildlife: Keep the Drone Grounded
Click on the icons to read more
By acting responsibly, you help wildlife to survive.
You become part of the mountain.
Animals need their comfort zones and refuges. Therefore, respect protected areas and quiet zones and do not enter marked breeding areas.
Consider these zones while choosing and planning your tour.
Stay on marked paths, recommendedroutes and existing tracks, so that animals can get used to human presence, especially in the forest and along forest edges.
Do not track animals.
Avoid disturbance by behaving and speaking quietly. Avoid setting out in early morning or evening hours. When you see or hear animals, stop and wait to let them escape. Observe them from a distance.
If you have a dog, keep it on a leash, or better, leave your best friend at home for your activities.
Your impact on wildlife depends on weather and environmental conditions, species and period of the year.
Get the necessary information and evaluate your potential impact on vulnerable species.See tools below.
Here is some further information to help you make the right choices while planning, out on tour or riding.
Know your physical abilities, take the right gear and check the weather forecast before setting out.
Never underestimate potential risks, be humble and give yourself the possibility to turn around.
Educate yourself and take courses with professionals to increase your knowledge on the mountain environment and learn to manage situations of emergency.
Do also care for nature and wildlife in everyday life.
Nature makes up an important part of our home.
Be ethical in your consumer behaviour.
And always remember, in the mountains,
we are only guests.
While we spend only a few hours in the mountains, grazing animals spend several months on the Alpine pastures.
Pastoralism in the Alps has a long tradition and cultural value; the grazing animals significantly shape the landscape and provide us various regional specialties like cheese.
When encountering a herd, it’s essential to show respect.
Maintain a safe distance from the animals, while biking dismount from your bike and ensure that you close gates and fences behind you.
Also, remember that herding dogs are not pets; they play a vital role in supporting the shepherd and protecting the livestock from predators.
Approach them calmly, respectfully and with sufficient distance.
Experiencing sunrises and sunsets in the mountains are magical moments.
However, while this time of the day offers us a beautiful spectacle, it holds great importance for wildlife as they are most active and searching for food.
Human disturbances during these periods can disrupt their natural behaviours.
So, why not consider spending a night in a mountain hut instead of making the ascent or descent during the twilight hours?
This way, we can witness both sunrise and sunset, and afterward, warm up with a hot drink. It’s a win-win for all – humans and wildlife alike.
Mountain lakes are a highlight of any hike, offering nice views and refreshing relief on hot days.
Yet, they’re also vital ecosystems, home to diverse plant and animal life. While taking a dip in a mountain lake may seem tempting, it can disrupt this delicate habitat.
Additionally, substances like sunscreen and other personal care products we might leave behind can further impact the ecosystem.
Instead of swimming directly in the lake, opt for finding a shady spot nearby to cool off.
This way, you can still enjoy the beauty of the lake without disturbing its inhabitants or introducing potentially harmful substances.
Your dog loves the mountains as much as you do and is a faithful companion on all your hikes?
That’s wonderful, but don’t forget a few important points to ensure that the hike is a pleasant experience for everyone – you, your dog, and other animals in the mountains.
Keep your dog on a leash, stay on the designated trails and respect protected areas where dogs are not allowed.
Otherwise, if your dog roams freely, it can disturb wildlife and cause them to flee. If you approach a herd with your dog, be particularly attentive, maintain a safe distance and keep you dog calm.
Additionally, remember that herding dogs are not playmates for you dog; instead, they may perceive you dog as a threat to the herd.
Also, ensure that your dog’s natural waste finds its way back down to the valley and is disposed of properly there.
When you’re out in the mountains, make sure you leave no trace behind.
Take all your waste back down to the valley.
And remember, also food scraps like banana peels, despite seeming natural and biodegradable, don’t belong in the mountains.
Keeping the mountains clean keeps them beautiful.
While we may only stay a few hours in the mountains, these precious landscapes are home to diverse plant and animal species, hosting vital ecosystems. It is crucial to preserve these habitats as best as we can, as many alpine species have limited refuges and face significant threats.
By simply staying on the marked trails during our mountain activities, we can minimize disturbances to wildlife, prevent further habitat fragmentation and destruction and ensure the preservation of these natural treasures.
Plus, it’s not just about conservation – it’s also about our safety.
In case of accidents or unforeseen circumstances, staying on marked paths facilitates easier localization and rescue efforts.
So, let’s make it a rule: stick to the trails for the sake of nature’s treasures and our own safety.
Embarking on a journey to the mountains is thrilling, but let’s also consider our impact on the environment.
While driving (solo) in a car not only pumps out CO 2 but also adds to the chaos of congested Alpine valleys and overflowing parking lots, hopping on public transportation opens up a world of eco-friendly possibilities.
Picture this: no stress about parking, no worrying about fees, and after your epic trek, you can kick back on the bus or train, letting someone else do the driving.
Plus, going public opens up a world of new routes and possibilities, like daring traverses you wouldn’t have considered otherwise.
So, let’s make your mountain adventures not just about reaching the summit, but also about how we get there!
When you’re spending a while in the mountains, nature calls at some point.
However, utilizing an outdoor toilet demands leaving no trace behind. Here’s how to do it responsibly:
By following these steps, you not only practice responsible outdoor etiquette but also show respect for the environment and other hikers.
The wildlife and vegetation, as well as fellow adventurers, will greatly appreciate your consideration.
The use of drones in the mountains offers us the wings of birds, granting unique insights into remote landscapes and hidden corners unreachable by foot.
However, drones pose significant risks to mountain wildlife and additionally in some areas the use of drones if forbidden.
Ground-dwelling animals are not only disturbed by the noise and may mistake drones for predatory birds, triggering unnecessary stress and flight responses.
Similarly, aerial drones can disrupt the natural behaviors of birds, particularly during nesting seasons, potentially leading to the abandonment of nests and young.
In the worst-case scenario, drone-bird collisions can occur, posing extreme danger to the birds.
Considering these risks, are a few shots worth compromising the peace and safety of Alpine wildlife?
Let’s respect the sanctuaries of wildlife in the mountains, especially those inaccessible to humans by foot.
By leaving drones at home, we not only ensure peace for wildlife but also for ourselves and fellow adventurers seeking the tranquility of the summit.
Plus, who needs the extra weight in their backpack anyway?
Spending a night in the mountains beneath a starry sky is breathtaking, but ensure that this experience only takes your breath away with its beauty, not that of wildlife. While you may set up your camp for just one night, you’re stepping into the animals’ bedroom, where they prefer to remain undisturbed. So, be sure to keep quiet, maintain a sufficient distance from water sources and leave no trace behind, such as litter or trampled plants.
Remember, camping and bivouacking isn’t permitted everywhere, so check and respect the rules and laws of the respective country and region.
Do you enjoy climbing outdoors in the sun more than indoors? Here are some tips for experiencing your climbing adventure in harmony with nature and wildlife: Leave no trace, take your trash with you, and stick to established trails when approaching. Even though the rock may seem lifeless at first glance, it’s home to lichens, plants and animals, so pay attention to your holds – not only for your own safety but also to respect and protect flora and fauna in this harsh environment.
It’s especially important not to disturb birds nesting and breeding on the rocks, as even a single disturbance can cause birds such as bearded vultures to abandon their nests.
Check local information about nesting birds and respect any (temporary) closures so that birds can successfully breed and raise their young. With these considerations in mind, your responsible climbing adventure is good to go.
If you want to see the mountains from a different perspective, why not do so from the water? Kayaking or canoeing allows you to paddle through nature, offering plenty of new views and exciting experiences. However, be aware that water activities such as kayaking or stand up paddling may be temporarily (during breeding seasons) or permanently prohibited on some waters. If you are on the water and need to take a break, it’s best to reach only in designated areas. Gravel banks, for example, are habitats for gravel breeders like the common sandpiper, and they prefer to remain undisturbed during breeding and raising their young.
Therefore, pay attention to signs indicating nesting birds and, if necessary, paddle a few more meters until you can reach land without disturbing wildlife.
Whether you prefer to explore the mountains through hiking or with a bit more speed through trail running, experiencing the mountains by foot offers a unique connection with nature. Yet, as we immerse ourselves in these adventures, let’s remember to be respectful. Keep an attentive eye out for wildlife and grazing animals, and leave them undisturbed in their habitats. Leave no trace, pack up your trash and respect the natural beauty of the trails. By being mindful of your impact, you can ensure that others enjoy the mountains just as much as you do.
After a challenging uphill, the reward awaits you at the top with breathtaking views and an exhilarating descent. While speed is fun, keep a cautious grip on the brake lever so you can stop quickly if needed. You’re not only sharing the trail with other mountain bikers but also hiker, grazing livestock and wildlife. Stay on designated mountain bike trails to navigate smoothly, avoid conflicts and enjoy routes optimized for biking. Riding off-trail or on narrow paths increases the risk of soil erosion, may degrade the alpine environment and can result in high costs for maintaining trail infrastructure, so ride responsibly to preserve the natural beauty of the mountains.
With the advent of E-Mountain bikes, you may now have the endurance to discover even more and cover greater distances. However, this newfound capability can pose a problem as it allows access to previously remote or lightly frequented areas that are highly sensitive. Moreover, E-Bikes tend to have a higher weight, potentially leading to increased soil erosion and trail degradation. Therefore, it's essential to keep this aspects in mind and ride responsibly.
The red deer, also known as the 'Prince of the Alps' is the largest ungulate in the Alps, weighing up to half a ton in males. They are social creatures, spending most of their lives in male or female herds, with the two sexes coming together only durign the rut season. Males can sometimes be heard, with their distincive roar during the rut season, the derivation of which comes with adaptation to forested environments, in contrast to American Elks who 'bugle' in adaptation to more open environments. Their roar is most commonly heard at dawn, or late in the evening.
Can be found in temperate forests, open woodlands, and in rocky parts of the mountains. They primarily seek tranquility and accessibility to food, and are generally found below the tree line, although they may be found feeding above the tree line during the summer. After the rut-season, around mid-October, the deer tend to migrate to the sunnier slopes of the valleys.
During the bitter parts of the winter, the deer’s metabolism will slow right down, in order to conserve energy. It can also significantly slow its heart rate and lower its body temperature in efforts to save precious energy, decreasing expenditure by about 17%, thus helping it to survive in severely cold climates.
Unfortunately, red deer have long been hunted by humans, and deforestation and urban expansion also pose major threats, as their feeding and breeding grounds are being cut off as time goes on. Infrastructural barriers, such as roads, which pose a collision threat and fragment habitats are also an issue, and of course, winter disturbances, such as people practicing snow sports, can be particularly detrimental to the deer, as their bodies already adapt to the loss of energy sources by massively reducing heart rate, core temperature, and metabolism. If a red deer is made to flee by cause of human disturbance, it is a huge energy loss and effort for the animal, using up crucial reserves for the winter months. Disturbances can also have a negative influence on the birth of fawns.
Prince of the Alps | Animal Guide: Red Deer | Nature | PBS
Red deer - Swiss National Parc (nationalpark.ch)
Thanks to its light weight and hairy paws, the mountain hare can run very fast (up to 60 km/h) whilst still conserving its energy. They are nocturnal creatures, and rests during the day. Their pelage is brown with a white tail in the summer, but can turn completely white during the winter, depending on how low the temperature dips. Often, the first animal tracks that can be seen in fresh snow in the morning, are those of a mountain hare.
The habitats of the mountain hare are primarily mountain areas below the snow line; they especially like rocky ridges and alpine pastures. They inhabit altitudes between 1000 and 3000m a.s.l. and can easily adapt to changing conditions.
During the winter, the hare feeds on tree bark, buds, and even branches. While they tend to switch their habitat to windswept and snow-free ledges, they will sometimes dig burrows into the snow, and are generally a lot less active than during the summer. Mountain hares gather in groups when the snow cover is thick, sheltering or feeding where the shallow snow allows for scraping, revealing any underlying plants.
Any kind of disturbance means stress for the hare. If the natural resting phase of the hare is interrupted, it gets into a flurry, thus making it spend precious energy. The hare will hide and observe, taking flight when it feels that the threat is too great (although with a flight radius of only several meters). The hare will thus consume up to a fifth more energy; a loss which it can barely compensate for, due to limited food resources. Disturbance also increases risks for reproduction and for predation of the hare.
The rock ptarmigan has fluffy, feathery feet, and unlike most birds, which only have two plumages, sport three different plumage colours throughout the year. In the winter, their extra thick plumage is white, except for a black tail, which camouflages them against the snow. In the summer, they are brown and often striped, while in the autumn they are greyer, and speckled. Humans are the greatest threat to these species, over any alpine predator or food scarcity.
The rock ptarmigan prefers high altitudes and a more barren habitat. During the winter, their habitats include shrubby slopes and rock walls close to the tree line, in places where vegetation is exposed. While females tend to take shelter under the canopy, males continue to frequent the alpine environment. In the spring and autumn, the birds prefer open landscapes with sparse vegetation, often rocky territories with a viewpoint advantage, so that males can easily keep an eye on females and their flock. Chicks usually remain nested on open ridges, so that they can find escape routes more easily in case of danger.
For the winter period, ptarmigan migrate in flocks to the valleys or lower parts of the alps, abandoning the uplands where they nest in warmer periods. Their plumage is thicker and white during the winter, allowing for more warmth, and their distinctive feathered feet act like snowshoes, providing a larger surface area to facilitate movement over fresh or powdery snow. As adults primarily lead a plant-based diet, food becomes scarcer in the winter. The rock ptarmigan, however, does not stock up for the winter, unlike many other alpine creatures.
The rock ptarmigan is mainly threatened by the development of winter tourist activities, such as snow sports and snowshoeing, which cause disturbance during the winter resting period, and hiking or livestock grazing during the breeding season. The construction of infrastructures such as ski resorts which can destroy habitats, and ski lifts which cause flight collisions, along with the resulting disturbance of the creation of slopes and motorized trails, (not to mention poaching and over-hunting) are also great threats to the species, especially when peak hunting period coincides with the breeding season. The effects of uncontrolled hunting and increasing human infrastructure extend to a decreasing population of the species, posing a potential threat to their alpine presence. In the face of danger, the bird will prefer to stand still before fleeing. This is why the ptarmigan is an easy bird to observe, but also very sensitive to hunting. Alongside these threats, the ptarmigan is one of the species most sensitive to global warming. Seeking refuge in the coldest, and therefore the highest areas, they isolate themselves, risking their population numbers.
Further reading:
Lagopède alpin - Lagopus muta (oiseaux.net)
Le Lagopède alpin | Observatoire de la biodiversité de Savoie (biodiversite-savoie.org)
The alpine ibex is a wild mountain goat which has excellent rock-climbing skills. It lives high up in the alpine mountain range and has a greyish-brown coat with a dark stripe down its back. Males have impressive, long horns that are ridged and curve backwards, while the females have shorter, smoother horns. Their sharp-edged hooves allow them to effortlessly climb and jump between rocky ridges, and are known to frequent the walls of dams, to lick off the salt and moss left there by the water. They are highly sociable and communicative animals, who live in hierarchy systems in their herds.
The Alpine Ibex’s preferred habitat is rough, steep terrain in the rocky regions of the mountain which border the snow line above alpine forests. For most of the year, however, males and females usually occupy different habitats: while females tend to stay in steeper environments, males can be seen frequenting green meadows during warmer seasons, moving to higher altitudes when temperatures elevate. If no snow has fallen, and populations are dense, males may roam the woodlands, among the larch-spruce.
During the winter, both sexes prefer medium altitudes. Males may spend their time in coniferous forests, or move with the females to steep, rocky terrain such as sheer southern-facing cliffs where there is less snow, using caves and cliff overhangs for shelter.
Alpine ibex have unfortunately been subject to poaching in the past, due to their majestic horns, which were thought to have medicinal properties. Now, their main threats include disease susceptibility, parasites, and predators like the Lynx, or Golden Eagles, that steal their kids. This drives them to larger grasslands, which are in closer proximity to human settlements, causing inbreeding with domestic goats, as well as human disturbances. This includes hiking or snow sports during the winter, when food is scarce and energy is low, meaning that flight from human activity and disturbance hampers energy saving during the bleakest months. These factors have led to declining populations amongst ibex, so humans must be wary of their impact.
Further reading:
Alpine Ibex - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio
The chamois is the face of the animal kingdom in the Alps, capable of racing speeds and impressive ascents. Shyer than the ibex, the chamois is best sighted during the rut, but human disturbances have a detrimental effect to the animal’s energy reserves, which are precious and little during the winter months.
The chamois lives mainly above the tree line, on scree and grassland, but can also live in the woodlands all year round. In the summer, chamois tend to go to higher altitudes, while during winter periods, they descend into the forest or onto slopes or mountain pastures, where there is less snow and more chance of finding food. When there is a lot of snow, they prefer steep, windy slopes, where the snow holds less easily. Contrary to popular belief, it is not exclusively a mountain animal, and is rather indifferent to altitude levels. Sightings have been reported in the PACA region range from 40 to 3260 metres.
Because of food resource scarcity, energy levels for the chamois must be preserved. They can lose up to 50% of their body weight during the colder months, as they use up all their fat reserves from the warmer seasons of foraging, depleting their energy reserves come spring. The severity of winter weather conditions, especially when there is extensive snow cover has a major impact on mortality rates, but these are usually made up for in years with little snow.
The main threat for the chamois is uncontrolled hunting and poaching. Predation by eagles is also a threat, as are the harsh conditions of the winter months. Their energy depletion levels during the winter mean that human disturbances, which cause fleeing, negatively impact their ability to store vital energy reserves for the colder periods. Energy depletion during the winter is one of their primary mortality causes, especially for young chamois who have a winter survival rate of only 50-70%. Human disturbances are therefore to be avoided at all costs, to not frighten the creatures into unnecessary flight.
Further reading:
Chamois | Parc national du Mercantour (mercantour-parcnational.fr)
The black grouse, also known as ‘blackcock’, is famed for its dominance displays, known as ‘lekking’, where the male will fan out its tail and strut, making high-pitched rolls and whistles. They are vulnerable to human disturbances in the winter time, and need more protection measures in place to avoid their decline in population.
The black grouse frequents coniferous forests with clearings and peat bogs at the upper tree line and can be found at altitudes of up to 2300m. In the summer, or during warmer seasons, they tend to sleep in trees, or perch in the branches to rest, during the day, but also favour open spaces to seek potential mates and raise broods. They have adapted to various habitats, and frequently utilise the transitionary zones between forests and open clearings, such as steppe, heathland, grassland, or pasture, when near agricultural fields.
During the winter, the black grouse burrows into the snow to avoid the cold at night. It can spend the whole night, and a good part of the day in this shelter if the weather is bad, thus saving its energy. If there is not much snow, they may stay deep in dense coniferous forests, where they at least have more access to food sources. In the Alps, however, this is less likely during the winter.
The black grouse’s survival during the winter depends largely on it saving its energy, which is vital during the colder months due to the freezing temperatures and limited food resources. The bird is particularly affected by humans who practice snow sports such as snowshoeing and off-piste skiing, as it cannot make up for the energy it loses when it leaves its igloo in flight of potential danger. In addition to this, human infrastructures such as ski lifts or cable cars cause risks of fatal collisions with the birds. Many local populations have declined as deforestation for agriculture has increased, and habitat fragmentation and destruction also poses a threat, along with over-hunting.
Further reading:
Protection of the Black Grouse an emblematic bird of the Alps - Les Gets
Black grouse | The Wildlife Trusts
Tétras lyre - Lyrurus tetrix (oiseaux.net)
Roe deer are very fast and graceful, but discreet, therefore very hard to observe - especially as they are mainly found in the forest. Like the coommon deer, with which it is often confused, the roe deer has antlers that it sheds each autumn. Although the Roe Deer was not even present in the valleys of the Hautes Alpes until around twenty years ago, it is now well established in the alpine area, with a steadily increasing population. This is not to say that they are without threat, however. They have many predators, and are sensitive to human disturbances, especially during the vulnerable months of winter, when flight comes at a great cost of precious energy. They can typically be heard rearing at dusk.
Adult roe deer are sedentary in alpine forests, usually maintaining a territory of 30 to 60 hectares for the rest of their lives. They can be found in (cork, oak) scrubland areas, deciduous forests, coniferous forests, and, for the most part, in alpine grasslands, meadows, and clearings which may be covered with shrubs and thickets. They occupy many available habitats, sometimes including agricultural areas and spaces above the tree line, as long as there is access to food and cover.
During the winter, roe deer sport a long, coarse grey coat, while in spring, it adapts an orange-red coat. In colder months, when they are generally at their most vulnerable, the roe deer will form small, loose groups in the winter, unlike their usual solidary way of living. Roe deer winter fat reserves are relatively small, and the principal source of winter energy is a reliable food supply - although their stomachs and intestines are designed to store food more effectively during this time. They therefore choose their winter habitats according to food availability, and remain active in their search for food, despite the cold temperatures. The role of habitat cover is especially important in winter, when protection of fat reserves for energy is at its most essential.
Roe deer get upset if they are repeatedly disturbed, and call to each other, a sound rather like a dog’s bark. Human disturbances, particularly during the winter, are a large part of this, causing the deer to flee, and waste precious energy reserves for the winter. In addition, dogs are a great threat to fawns, and must never be taken into known habitats. Roe deer are also threatened by numerous predators and are subject to hunting. Environment impoverishment and habitat fragmentation caused by human urbanisation, confine them to nature islands, thus limiting its development.
Further reading:
Winter habitat use by red and roe deer in pine-dominated forest - ScienceDirect
Chevreuil - Hautes -Alpes (free.fr)
Chevreuil (Capreolus capreolus) (manimalworld.net)
Faune et chasse: le chevreuil - Fédérations des Chasseurs des Alpes-Maritimes (fdc06.fr)
Faune du Queyras et mammifères des Hautes Alpes (queyras-locations.fr)
From 2016 to 2018, the development of the initiative “Be Part of the Mountain” involved more than 60 experts and practitioners from 40 organisations in six Alpine countries. Thanks to all of you.
• Parc national du Mercantour
• Nationalpark Gesäuse
• Triglav Narodni Park